Maintaining our green spaces
Our aim is to help maintain and enhance the GreenSpaces around the parish which are accessible to all. These include Jubilee Ponds, Ferry End, Glebe Field, St Mary's Church and Bleasby School......a brief overview of what we are working on in each area is set our below.
Most of the parish paths, grassed areas, verges and hedgerows are maintained by contractors (funded by Bleasby Parish Council) or other community volunteers.
We meet on the third Saturday morning of each month for two hours. It's not all hard labour (we leave that to the contractors) and there is a strong focus on community, having fun, learning and getting some fresh air!
A rough plan of the tasks for the year is drawn up in January - you can download the attachment below. We communicate exact plans for the day via a WhatsApp Group the week before each meeting.
If you are interested in getting involved, or just interested to find out more, please email [email protected] and Mike or Jo will get in touch.
JUBILEE PONDS
Grasshoppers patrol Jubilee Ponds and will take appropriate action regarding maintenance requirements to help ensure the area is accessible and being looked after. Larger jobs, such as removing trees and maintaining the paths is managed by BPC using contractors as required. The Carp Fishing Syndicate also maintain the waters edge and are always willing to help out when we ask.
Centenary Wood
We coppice the hazel as required
A spring and autumn cut and clearance of the floor is carried out by contractors
We do the regular mowing of diagonal paths and keep the base of the trees clear, especially on younger specimens
There is a need to renew tree labels and provide a map identifying those being remembered; we are working on this.
We are also looking at improvement of planting to create more spring / woodland ground cover
Den Building area
BPC use a contractor to control the vegetation around entrance
Grasshoppers make regular checks for safety, unwanted vegetation and look after the deadwood hedge boundaries
We also monitor trees for signs of disease, decay and dangerous limbs
Bird Hide area
This area was set up in 2021 but we have found it only really attracts squirrels and pigeons! We are considering what to do next here, so it might look a bit neglected for a while.
Main Meadow
In 2022 we sowed Yellow Rattle seed which has taken and is starting to spread - this will help seppress the grasses, allowing more wildflowers to flourish
In September there is a main cut and clearance of the arisings - a specialist contractor (also used by Notts Wildlife Trust) is used for this and then any winter & spring cuts are made by a local farmer, as directed by Grasshoppers
We then make the first cut of a "meandering path" for visitors to use in early spring and then regular maintain this through to September
The autumn cut of the main hedge is now carried out by a contractor - it took a lot of hard work by Grasshoppers to clear it in the first place!
We maintain the carved bench /and bug hotel by gate entrance area - this is an area we use for our Nature Day community events
We plan to improve our monitoring & recording of flower and wildlife species and improve information for visitors about the Meadow and it's associated flora and fauna.
In 2024 we placed a number of reptile mats around the perimeter of the meadow to help survey local species.
Meadow Triangle (adjacent to the bonfire pit)
We make a complete cut & clearance of the grass in spring and autumn and then maintain a path to allow access
The single old hawthorn and Dog Rose are cared for by Grasshoppers and we do our best to control ingress of the Blackthorn from the adjacent hedgerow
We plan is to introduce yellow rattle to help suppress growth of aggressive grasses and start monitoring existing wildflowers in the area
The Reed Bed
In conjunction with Notts Wildlife Trust, we are developing a plan to redevelop this area.
Vistas
We keep the seating areas around ponds cleared for visitors to enjoy (sometimes with the help of a contractor and the local fishermen)
Paths & Hedgerows
Bleasby Parish Council arrange for contractors to keep the paths cleared and carry out any significant work on hedgerows and scrubland
Ferry End
Grasshoppers look after the upkeep of benches, fencing, planting, grass and trees
We are gradually introducing new planting around the perimeter to enhance the area for visitors and wildlife
There are a number of large trees (mainly crack willow) which we monitor and will arrange for contractors to keep under control
Glebe Field
We look after the upkeep of the orchard area whilst the hedgerow and grass is maintained by contractors, organised by a local volunteer and The Parish Council
Grasshoppers manage the Coronation Meadow project which was was started in 2023 (behind the old oak tree)
St Mary's Church
From 2025 Grasshoppers have agreed to help maintain the grounds around the church which is a beautiful area for wildlife.
Bleasby School
Grasshoppers provide 1 full session a year to help the school maintain their wonderful nature areas - in 2025 we will be helping to build a dead hedge and coppicing the dogwoods.
