Thinking some more about the grass down at the meadow, I'm a little surprised that there isn't greater species diversity across the plot.
I've a feeling from memory back in the mid 1980s, when the larger landscape had a raised by-pass put through - that the construction site-huts were on the plot that I am now custodian of and that it may have been re-seeded.
Inspired somewhat by an excellent book A year in the life of an English meadow - I'm tempted to apply a specialist meadow flower seed mix (initially in small trial areas) in what will remain as traditional meadow long term.
That would also require a structured seasonal mowing / grazing routine.
A website I found interesting was Meadowmania with specialist and selectable seed mixes.
An interesting suggestion has also been traditional natural dyestuff plants, interestingly a section of Louden's Encyclopædia of Agriculture from the 1800s that I browsed through had several paragraphs on this, but I'm reluctant to set down much of an area as a crop.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Monday, 26 July 2010
A quiet week
Back home in Cheshire after a long weekend at the Secret Garden Party festival in Cambridgeshire.
Dropped by the field late evening and relatively quiet - no sign of the bees, which I thought had moved into a hollow tree.
The south-west corner has some activity at a burrow - just one hole and possibly a bit big for a rabbit, but not sure what? The grass is greening up after mowing and harrowing, but a couple of clumps of dead cut grass to remove.
Looking over old maps with my brother, the track that used to be tree-lined and along the south boundary caused some interest - quite why is uncertain, but at the ash tree at the south east corner the remaining track would have split three ways...
Dropped by the field late evening and relatively quiet - no sign of the bees, which I thought had moved into a hollow tree.
The south-west corner has some activity at a burrow - just one hole and possibly a bit big for a rabbit, but not sure what? The grass is greening up after mowing and harrowing, but a couple of clumps of dead cut grass to remove.
Looking over old maps with my brother, the track that used to be tree-lined and along the south boundary caused some interest - quite why is uncertain, but at the ash tree at the south east corner the remaining track would have split three ways...
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
a harrowing experience...
The weekend's mowed grass was given a going over with a frame-mounted harrow to lift the places where the weather had layered it.
Probably another cut to do in a couple of weeks time on a lower setting, once a bit of fresh green growth comes through.
It looks like the bee colony has moved on, in fact a bit quiet for wildlife all-round late into the evening.
Probably another cut to do in a couple of weeks time on a lower setting, once a bit of fresh green growth comes through.
It looks like the bee colony has moved on, in fact a bit quiet for wildlife all-round late into the evening.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
mowing
A mower purchased and collected locally late on Wednesday, tractor sorted on Thursday afternoon, some preparations at home on Friday for transporting equipment with the trailer.
Saturday morning got rather wet with the rain here in Chester, putting a cloud over the plans for mowing - but it soon cleared into quite a sunny mid-day and afternoon.
Down to the field and mowing carried out, probably for the first time this year:
Along the south hedgerow I fortunately spotted a random bee colony hanging from a hawthorn branch - right in the line of the tractor exhaust (no cab)! and fortunately avoided.
Amongst the docks, thistles and buttercups taken down, the only significant other flower was meadowsweet - apparently good for the innards if infused.
A couple of random burrows along the south and west hedges, but one had a few bumble-bees buzzing around, so guess they were the only inhabitants.
Between one run along the length of the field and back, 2 mole-hills appeared in the time taken to return.
Up above a Merlin or small buzzard was circling around.
A couple of walkers along the track-way near-by, one couple lost and needing directions back to the picnic area by the mediaeval bridge at Farndon.
Saturday morning got rather wet with the rain here in Chester, putting a cloud over the plans for mowing - but it soon cleared into quite a sunny mid-day and afternoon.
Down to the field and mowing carried out, probably for the first time this year:
Along the south hedgerow I fortunately spotted a random bee colony hanging from a hawthorn branch - right in the line of the tractor exhaust (no cab)! and fortunately avoided.
Amongst the docks, thistles and buttercups taken down, the only significant other flower was meadowsweet - apparently good for the innards if infused.
A couple of random burrows along the south and west hedges, but one had a few bumble-bees buzzing around, so guess they were the only inhabitants.
Between one run along the length of the field and back, 2 mole-hills appeared in the time taken to return.
Up above a Merlin or small buzzard was circling around.
A couple of walkers along the track-way near-by, one couple lost and needing directions back to the picnic area by the mediaeval bridge at Farndon.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Tithe Map
Just after purchasing the field about a month ago, I started looking up local history and found the Local Council website had an interactive archive map.
It presents two windows for comparing maps of different ages / aerial photos and information and is scaleable for direct comparison.
From a Tithe Map plot 285, my originally larger field was owned by a Mr. Rowe, a modern map shows how a by-pass has left it annexed from the river as an almost triangular plot.
What I hadn't noticed until I started to compare the amount of veteran trees in the hedges, was a lane parallel to the south boundary 'mature' hedgerow.
This lane has long gone (an outline in the ground can just about be seen on the b&w 1970s aerial photo). It explains why there is a random large oak tree outside the hedge line in the neighbour's field to the south west corner.
From just over two weeks ago, I think there might have been an otter visiting - some of the long grass had a track too narrow for someone to have walked through, the ground has been too hard for paw-prints for confirmation, but a splatter like a small cow-pat would suggest an otter with it difficult to think what else.
It presents two windows for comparing maps of different ages / aerial photos and information and is scaleable for direct comparison.
From a Tithe Map plot 285, my originally larger field was owned by a Mr. Rowe, a modern map shows how a by-pass has left it annexed from the river as an almost triangular plot.
What I hadn't noticed until I started to compare the amount of veteran trees in the hedges, was a lane parallel to the south boundary 'mature' hedgerow.
This lane has long gone (an outline in the ground can just about be seen on the b&w 1970s aerial photo). It explains why there is a random large oak tree outside the hedge line in the neighbour's field to the south west corner.
From just over two weeks ago, I think there might have been an otter visiting - some of the long grass had a track too narrow for someone to have walked through, the ground has been too hard for paw-prints for confirmation, but a splatter like a small cow-pat would suggest an otter with it difficult to think what else.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
more paperwork
A sensible short phone conversation Friday morning with The Rural Payments Agency - not that I'm going to be bestowed by coffers of funding from the Common Agricultural Policy (the plot size mostly precludes this), but I was pointed in the direction of downloadable form CReg 01 to ensure the land remains on the Rural Land Register (over and above Land registry now it has it's own Title Number after being divested from a larger farming enterprise.
Registration is also necessary if I explore opportunities for planting under the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme.
A couple of 'paper exercises' for planting schemes and some notes scribbled for odd jobs over the next couple of months and deliberating over a small topper or finishing mower for behind a compact tractor.
Main focus so far for 2010/2011 with the land is to:
Make the boundaries stock-proof
Mow and maintain +50% of the area as traditional meadow with an alternating mowing / grazing strategy over future years
Recover the hedgerows by layering and maintain species diversity
Plant a few specimen black poplars in the meadow area
Finalise a planting plan for the shadier narrow side with native local provenance trees
Plan and partially plant an informal 'traditional' orchard, including a nursery stock of experimental hybrids and a few specimen mulberry trees.
Liaise with interested parties for Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
Registration is also necessary if I explore opportunities for planting under the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme.
A couple of 'paper exercises' for planting schemes and some notes scribbled for odd jobs over the next couple of months and deliberating over a small topper or finishing mower for behind a compact tractor.
Main focus so far for 2010/2011 with the land is to:
Make the boundaries stock-proof
Mow and maintain +50% of the area as traditional meadow with an alternating mowing / grazing strategy over future years
Recover the hedgerows by layering and maintain species diversity
Plant a few specimen black poplars in the meadow area
Finalise a planting plan for the shadier narrow side with native local provenance trees
Plan and partially plant an informal 'traditional' orchard, including a nursery stock of experimental hybrids and a few specimen mulberry trees.
Liaise with interested parties for Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Meadow grazing ideas
Although a lot of my interests revolve about trees and woodlands, not wishing to overlook the habitat conservation value of lowland meadow - I stumbled across a handy website matching land with grazing opportunities from a conservation aspect: Grazing Animals Project
In the more immediate future, I've organised a Kubota B8200 compact tractor for running a topper over the grass and for general groundwork.
In the more immediate future, I've organised a Kubota B8200 compact tractor for running a topper over the grass and for general groundwork.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Paper chase
Quite a bit of exploration through Natural England and other websites and a couple of emails to see if the land qualifies for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS).
This would help with guidelines and sensitive management framework (and potential subsidy) particularly with the land use and hedge-row restoration for wildlife and biodiversity.
Apparently it won't qualify.
A couple of useful pointers here in Cheshire with non-statutory projects, 'Habitats and Hillforts' looks interesting.
Meanwhile I'll pencil in some time over winter for hedgelaying the south boundary and restoration rejuvination of the short east boundary against the Public Footpath / Marches Way.
This would help with guidelines and sensitive management framework (and potential subsidy) particularly with the land use and hedge-row restoration for wildlife and biodiversity.
Apparently it won't qualify.
A couple of useful pointers here in Cheshire with non-statutory projects, 'Habitats and Hillforts' looks interesting.
Meanwhile I'll pencil in some time over winter for hedgelaying the south boundary and restoration rejuvination of the short east boundary against the Public Footpath / Marches Way.
Friday, 2 July 2010
To-do list, paperwork and barn owls
A message left with a local barn owl group to see if the ash trees in the south hedgerow would be suitable for an owl-box.
An email to the Local Authority regarding the overgrown willows in the drainage channel along the road to the north and to try to find a way forward.
An email to the Woodland Trust with an outline for guidance regarding establishing a small wooded area appropriate to the rest of the land (before approaching the Forestry Commission, hopefully with grant assistance for planting.
An email to the Rural Payments Agency regarding registration now that Land Registry have issued a unique Title Number for the land.
A list of things to do, particularly stock-proof fencing repairs, the overgrown willows on the north boundary to trim back (and uses for the wood larger than shredding diameter) and the hedge that needs layering over winter and renovating on the south boundary. A replacement gate and posts to go in for access on the east side.
A potential planting plan for a small woodland on the narrowest side and planting preparations and protection from grazing for specimen black poplars to go in what remains as open meadow area, together with ideas for an informal orchard if seasonal flooding isn't too much of a compromise...
An email to the Local Authority regarding the overgrown willows in the drainage channel along the road to the north and to try to find a way forward.
An email to the Woodland Trust with an outline for guidance regarding establishing a small wooded area appropriate to the rest of the land (before approaching the Forestry Commission, hopefully with grant assistance for planting.
An email to the Rural Payments Agency regarding registration now that Land Registry have issued a unique Title Number for the land.
A list of things to do, particularly stock-proof fencing repairs, the overgrown willows on the north boundary to trim back (and uses for the wood larger than shredding diameter) and the hedge that needs layering over winter and renovating on the south boundary. A replacement gate and posts to go in for access on the east side.
A potential planting plan for a small woodland on the narrowest side and planting preparations and protection from grazing for specimen black poplars to go in what remains as open meadow area, together with ideas for an informal orchard if seasonal flooding isn't too much of a compromise...
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Environment Agency & flood warnings
The meadow sits within the River Dee flood plain a few miles south of Chester. The Environment Agency give automated flood warnings if you sign up, although the online form expects a house or business postal address.
I've sent them an email with the Ordnance Survey grid reference and the nearest postcode at the same land level along the river.
Also in the email, I queried the general condition of the drainage ditch along the A543 and it's channel being overgrown with willow trees.
I'm not sure whose responsibility this would be (it's just outside my boundary), but it was constructed as part of the Holt-Farndon bypass which effectively split the originally larger meadow in two with a raised section to cross the River...
I've sent them an email with the Ordnance Survey grid reference and the nearest postcode at the same land level along the river.
Also in the email, I queried the general condition of the drainage ditch along the A543 and it's channel being overgrown with willow trees.
I'm not sure whose responsibility this would be (it's just outside my boundary), but it was constructed as part of the Holt-Farndon bypass which effectively split the originally larger meadow in two with a raised section to cross the River...
Monday, 28 June 2010
Land Registry
Land Registry details have been updated with a new title number, but they managed to get part of my home address incorrect, so that'll need changing.
Down at the meadow, the twiggier branches of the overhanging willows went through the shredder - over a tonne done so far.
The A-road alongside has a couple of underpasses - one for an established old track-way / footpath and ditch to the east and another at the west from when the land was a much larger meadow alongside the river until the road was constructed in the 1980s. Every now and then it looks like a few kids hang about in the underpasses and yesterday sometime they've pulled a few of the neighbouring fence rails off to make a bench in the underpass. Whether it's part of the same group or not, halfway along the west boundary where I'd cut back some nettles, thistles, docks and long patchy grass - some cheeky sod had discarded a condom and it's wrapper - potentially a problem for when there may be grazing animals on the land.
I finished the evening off with a few buckets of crushed limestone put into pot-holes on the trackway.
Down at the meadow, the twiggier branches of the overhanging willows went through the shredder - over a tonne done so far.
The A-road alongside has a couple of underpasses - one for an established old track-way / footpath and ditch to the east and another at the west from when the land was a much larger meadow alongside the river until the road was constructed in the 1980s. Every now and then it looks like a few kids hang about in the underpasses and yesterday sometime they've pulled a few of the neighbouring fence rails off to make a bench in the underpass. Whether it's part of the same group or not, halfway along the west boundary where I'd cut back some nettles, thistles, docks and long patchy grass - some cheeky sod had discarded a condom and it's wrapper - potentially a problem for when there may be grazing animals on the land.
I finished the evening off with a few buckets of crushed limestone put into pot-holes on the trackway.
Orchard?
Back home after a relaxed weekend down south in scorching sunshine.
The main purpose was an Orchard planning course organised from the Orangepippin website. It was a course of good information and structure and some handy practical exercises too.
Although I'm going to try a small / discrete 'naturalistic' orchard with heritage varieties and experimental hybrids, the ability of apple trees to survive some standing water in the dormant winter months during river floods will be a test. (The 'bargain' fruit trees from Wilkinsons will be the first to go in to see how they cope).
Driving long distances, I can't help but cast an eye over the landscape as I go. At Ashford, one village had a community woodland of old trees and some recent plantings and information boards. Between Oxford and Banbury, the M40 had carved through a few fields leaving odd field parcels not unlike the one I'm now custodian of. Near Stafford there were interesting similarities and contrasts in the low-lying land - a smaller water-course, but looking as if the land is wetter for longer periods through the year.
The soil here at Farndon is far from waterlogged and mature trees and hedgerows would suggest the seasonal winter floods aren't too much of a detriment.
The main purpose was an Orchard planning course organised from the Orangepippin website. It was a course of good information and structure and some handy practical exercises too.
Although I'm going to try a small / discrete 'naturalistic' orchard with heritage varieties and experimental hybrids, the ability of apple trees to survive some standing water in the dormant winter months during river floods will be a test. (The 'bargain' fruit trees from Wilkinsons will be the first to go in to see how they cope).
Driving long distances, I can't help but cast an eye over the landscape as I go. At Ashford, one village had a community woodland of old trees and some recent plantings and information boards. Between Oxford and Banbury, the M40 had carved through a few fields leaving odd field parcels not unlike the one I'm now custodian of. Near Stafford there were interesting similarities and contrasts in the low-lying land - a smaller water-course, but looking as if the land is wetter for longer periods through the year.
The soil here at Farndon is far from waterlogged and mature trees and hedgerows would suggest the seasonal winter floods aren't too much of a detriment.
Friday, 25 June 2010
clearing
Being as the purchase 'completion' had been quite prompt (13 days from the hammer falling at auction) I've made some headway at clearing around the north boundary fence that is against a main road (approx 150 metres long).
This is massively overgrown on the other side of the fence with self-set willows in a culvert and overhanging and growing through the fencing with large areas of nettles and weeds.
As the fencing needs repairing, I went into the nettles with a brush cutter and also took a few of the lower overhanging branches out the last few afternoons.
This is massively overgrown on the other side of the fence with self-set willows in a culvert and overhanging and growing through the fencing with large areas of nettles and weeds.
As the fencing needs repairing, I went into the nettles with a brush cutter and also took a few of the lower overhanging branches out the last few afternoons.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
make hay while the sun shines...
After a weekend away (ironically stopping at Frampton Court overlooking a vast fine meadow beneath my room window), I went down to the meadow and had missed two fields up being mown and baled over the weekend - would have been handy if they'd have been interested in some extra acreage this year (I'd let the previous owner know too that I'd be happy for someone to take the crop away).
Friday, 18 June 2010
fencing and bills
I had the fencing order delivered to home, as it'll take a while to put it all in. I also gave the gate and posts an extra dose of darker wood preservative to help it 'blend in' a bit better.
The Solicitor's bill arrived in the post, so a stroll into Chester to pay that and a relaxed long light lunch looking up a bit more info on small woodland and conservation scheme planting on the WiFi in the cafe.
The Solicitor's bill arrived in the post, so a stroll into Chester to pay that and a relaxed long light lunch looking up a bit more info on small woodland and conservation scheme planting on the WiFi in the cafe.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
behind the scenes
A letter from the Solicitors regarding a breakdown of their fees and charges and an email sent to The Forestry Commission regarding the English Woodland Grant Scheme (worth a try for the proposed small copse at the east boundary). I also enquired about opportunities for Black Poplar and integration with any local BAPs (biodiversity action plans).
It would be handy if I could utilise a fair amount of the young trees I have at home as a nursery stock and ultimately small scale coppicing. I also have several black poplar saplings and young trees to put as specimens in the meadow.
With the heatwave we are having at the moment, the trees in pots at home are getting some additional watering every other evening.
It would be handy if I could utilise a fair amount of the young trees I have at home as a nursery stock and ultimately small scale coppicing. I also have several black poplar saplings and young trees to put as specimens in the meadow.
With the heatwave we are having at the moment, the trees in pots at home are getting some additional watering every other evening.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
field visit and workscopes
A check-up on measurements down at the field and a load of post and rail fencing ordered for patching up and making live-stock proof, together with a new gate and posts from Ringwood Fencing.
Natural England phoned in response to last week's email query about land designation and neighbouring an SSSI area. Although of biodiversity interest in it's present state, the relatively small size of the field would tend to exclude them from any influence on appropriate 'agricultural' activities on the land.
I made some enquiries locally about taking a hay-crop off - although a bit short notice and the number of machine operations involved would make it costly. Due to a high concentration of buttercups and docks and a few thistle patches, I'll probably end up topping it this year.
Natural England phoned in response to last week's email query about land designation and neighbouring an SSSI area. Although of biodiversity interest in it's present state, the relatively small size of the field would tend to exclude them from any influence on appropriate 'agricultural' activities on the land.
I made some enquiries locally about taking a hay-crop off - although a bit short notice and the number of machine operations involved would make it costly. Due to a high concentration of buttercups and docks and a few thistle patches, I'll probably end up topping it this year.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
more legalities
Back to the Solicitors to pay the final balance on the land and to sign the Land Registry Transfer documents.
The NFU Mutual 'land away' scheme would seem best suited for public liability cover...
The NFU Mutual 'land away' scheme would seem best suited for public liability cover...
Friday, 11 June 2010
Legalities
After paying a 10% deposit at last night's auction, it was round to Ellis & Co. Solicitors by Chester Castle, to progress the purchase legalities, give formal I.D. and go through the sales contract.
I also looked into the important area of Public Liability Insurance. From the web, the most appropriate seems to narrow down to Rural Arbor Products or NFU Mutual and their 'land away' addition to a household policy.
I also looked into the important area of Public Liability Insurance. From the web, the most appropriate seems to narrow down to Rural Arbor Products or NFU Mutual and their 'land away' addition to a household policy.
Sold...
Thursday evening was spent at the property auction. For nearly a week I'd been going over the sales and legal details and DEFRA and Natural England designations of a small agricultural plot and a few site visits.
By a couple of weeks time from now, contracts will have been exchanged and I'll become custodian of 0.83 ha (2 acres) of traditional lowland meadow. Cheap (relatively), because it's part of the River Dee flood plain - interesting in it's present form (a triangular slice of a previously much larger meadow, annexed by a mid 1980s road bypass scheme).
Of particular interest to me, is that it's potentially ideal habitat for planting up a few of the relatively rare black poplar trees, yet still remaining large enough and useful for grazing / hay and with bio-diversely rich hedgerows (mainly hawthorn, with bramble, blackthorn, dog-rose and 10 large ash trees). A shadier narrow eastern side could be ideal for a small native species copse and room for a small experimental orchard wouldn't be too much out of place.
The other side of the east boundary has the Long Distance Path The Marches Way.
Near-by there is a small ruined castle, a mediaeval bridge across the River Dee to Wales and across the fields, the site of a Roman Villa...
An hour and a half after hammer-fall, I dropped by on the way home and a middle aged couple had parked up on the access track and part way up the hedgerow had set up a picnic rug!
By a couple of weeks time from now, contracts will have been exchanged and I'll become custodian of 0.83 ha (2 acres) of traditional lowland meadow. Cheap (relatively), because it's part of the River Dee flood plain - interesting in it's present form (a triangular slice of a previously much larger meadow, annexed by a mid 1980s road bypass scheme).
 |
| From June 2010 |
Of particular interest to me, is that it's potentially ideal habitat for planting up a few of the relatively rare black poplar trees, yet still remaining large enough and useful for grazing / hay and with bio-diversely rich hedgerows (mainly hawthorn, with bramble, blackthorn, dog-rose and 10 large ash trees). A shadier narrow eastern side could be ideal for a small native species copse and room for a small experimental orchard wouldn't be too much out of place.
The other side of the east boundary has the Long Distance Path The Marches Way.
Near-by there is a small ruined castle, a mediaeval bridge across the River Dee to Wales and across the fields, the site of a Roman Villa...
An hour and a half after hammer-fall, I dropped by on the way home and a middle aged couple had parked up on the access track and part way up the hedgerow had set up a picnic rug!
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
For Sale
I've made a few diversions on my travels recently, to nosey at a small meadow that has come up for sale...
Part of an originally larger flood-plain carved up by a raised section of by-pass. No chance of building potential at all, but interesting from a conservation and biodiversity aspect (surrounded on 3 sides by Natural England's SSSI designation, it is part of the River Dee flood-plain and hasn't been intensively managed in living memory). A few evenings this week spent researching traditional meadow management (and black-poplar reintroduction) and the various administrative hurdles in agricultural land stewardship.
 |
| From June 2010 |
Part of an originally larger flood-plain carved up by a raised section of by-pass. No chance of building potential at all, but interesting from a conservation and biodiversity aspect (surrounded on 3 sides by Natural England's SSSI designation, it is part of the River Dee flood-plain and hasn't been intensively managed in living memory). A few evenings this week spent researching traditional meadow management (and black-poplar reintroduction) and the various administrative hurdles in agricultural land stewardship.
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