The Hedgerow Project Begins!

Our brand-new Hedgerow Project is officially underway! During one of our regular volunteer sessions, a hardworking team of FoRCE volunteers gathered to start the first stage of the project by digging a 50-metre trench along the fence by Hathaway Court.

After such a hot and dry summer, the ground was extremely hard and compacted.  But with plenty of determination (and teamwork!), our team of volunteers managed to lift the thick layer of grass and expose the bare soil beneath, which was a little easier to work on.  By the end of the session, a trench around 10–15cm deep stretched from the riverside path along around half the length of the fence, so an impressive start for day one.

As we move into autumn, we’re hoping for plenty of rain to help soften the ground and make the next steps a little easier.  Preparation will continue through October, with more digging and clearing to get the site ready.

The exciting part comes in November, when the young whips (small, bare-rooted hedge plants) including Hawthorn, Maple, Hazel, Alder, and Hornbeam, will be planted.  FoRCE volunteers will be joined by professionals from Sustainable Garden Solutions, a local team of landscapers, garden designers, and groundskeepers who are supporting the project with their expertise.

This is the beginning of a long-term effort to create a thriving, wildlife-friendly hedge that will grow, strengthen, and eventually be laid using the traditional skill of hedgelaying. Huge thanks to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and got this project off to such a great start!