A dedicated group of volunteers, both young and not so young, led by Tim Elkington, recently continued efforts to establish a wide hedge along the boundary of Wellington Meadow and the A246 near the bus stop.
The hedge will provide valuable habitat for wildlife and help shield the grassland environment of the meadow from the effects of the busy road. Originally started in 2024, last year’s planting faced challenges due to an exceptionally dry spring and summer, resulting in a lower-than-expected survival rate for the trees.
This year, new plantings included woollen mulch mats to help retain moisture and biodegradable tree guards to protect the saplings from vole browsing. The success of these methods will be monitored to determine the most effective approach for establishing a thriving, long-term hedge.
