News Page
Our hedge planting days in November 2011 were extremely well supported.
Planting of the Ashford Road boundary began at 10.00 on 26th November.
550 hours of work had already been done in preparation!
Life-President, Peter Willson gives an insight into the occasion:
On 26 and 29 November 2011 more than 3,000 mixed tree whips were planted by local residents. What made this event very special was that hedges were planted on land which in time will be bequeathed to the Bearsted Woodland Trust by Pauline Moore. Pauline wanted the hedge to be planted during her lifetime so that it is well established when the land is passed over to the trust in perpetuity. Some established trees were also planted.
The core of BWT maintenance volunteers led by Dave Johnson, Dave Ward, Peter Schmoeger, and Jeff Winn had spent in excess of 500 hours preparing the site from late spring onwards. The 600 metre-length of hedge along Ashford Road from Gore Cottage entrance right round to Hillbeck House in Roundwell had been mechanically dug with Peter’s digger, and tons of manure had been added and rotovated prior to planting; finally the whole stretch had been thoroughly watered by the Trust’s water bowser. Other preparation work included fencing and gates (140 posts, 1400 metres of electrical tape) to keep horses separate from the area.
The weather was kind and on Saturday 26 November 195 residents of Bearsted and Thurnham and surrounding villages turned out to plant Phase One. We were delighted to have the Mayor and Mayoress of Maidstone present to help plant a short section with local children, and it was also wonderful to see so many families with their children, and the Cub Scouts and Beaver groups. People of all ages turned up from pre-school to two in their nineties!!! Many said how much fun they had and what a lovely ‘community spirit’ they felt.
With such high numbers, we arranged for each of the Saturday groups to plant about a two metres (ten whips, five per metre) every 50 metres as examples at different numbered stations for the first 350 metres. As volunteers turned up they were assigned to different stations where there was at least one BWT volunteer to show how the planting was done. This was very important because the mix of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Holly, Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Wild Cherry, Sloe, Mirabelle etc, had to be planted in strict rotation to offer maximum benefit for future wildlife. The young whips were supported with canes and protected by pvc mesh, to give them all a good chance of survival. By mid-morning the Saturday task was virtually complete.
On Tuesday 29 November more fine dry weather enabled another 65 residents to complete Phase Two of the planting, from Ashford Road to Roundwell. In fact the area planted exceeded our own expectations!
More pictures of the planting can be found at the bottom of our 2011 photos page.
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Report of the 2011 AGM on 9th October.
BWT’s Chairman, Richard Ashness welcomed more than 85 Members and Friends at the 2011 AGM, held on a Sunday afternoon, following suggestions in 2010. Richard reported a very active and rewarding year, mentioning:-
* Achievement of Green Flag Status, with the highest category possible.
* Grant Funding for the Hedgerow Project along the Ashford Road.
* A “History and Milestones of BWT” computer-based package on BWT since its formation in 2003: this will meet the increasing demand for presentations to local groups.
* Publication of two editions of the Newsletter - with special thanks to Sandra Knatchbull and Fiona Marriner, who were standing down as Editors after 4 years in the role. John Wale would continue as BWT’s link with the new Editor, Moira Mitchell.
* Bernard Head’s careful and sound financial management.
* Pauline Moore for her sustained and enthusiastic support.
* Dave Johnson and his Projects/Maintenance Teams of volunteers led by Jeff Winn, Peter Schmoeger and David Ward for their hard work in maintaining the site throughout the year.
* David Ward for his continuing hard work for sponsored Trees and Benches, a scheme which brings in valuable income.
* Chris Street, who puts in a huge amount of time as Membership Secretary and manages the distribution of the newsletter and leaflets to more than 1100 members and families in Bearsted and a wider area. In this way our Magazine Distributor volunteers form a vital link with BWT members and friends.
* Sharon Bayne - Environment and Countryside Consultant - whose professional skills over 7 years had shaped the site and helped to create the increasingly attractive site we have today, as well as a valuable link to grants and the mysteries of application forms! Sharon was standing down from the Management Committee. In recognition of all her excellent work for BWT, Richard proposed she be made an Honorary Life Member and this was agreed enthusiastically by all. A tree would recognise her good work over several years.
* All other members of the Management Committee (who were re-elected)
* Rodney Dale, the farmer who carries out the hay-cut of meadows in July.
The Chairman also mentioned significant community events held on BWT, particularly the Palm Sunday procession to Holy Cross Church, and the Royal Wedding Picnic on 29 April; both events had demonstrated the Trust’s value to the wider community.
The major project currently in progress is the Hedge Planting in Pauline Moore’s Field and work on the proposed Wildflower Meadow is still at development stage.
Richard thanked everyone for coming and for their continuing support.
Peter Willson concluded by quoting from the Green Flag assessment Report: “[BWT] is a great example of the community working together to achieve a high quality site.”
BWT’s Treasurer, Bernard Head, presented figures for the year ended 30 June 2011; it had been a very good year, and BWT was in a sound financial position. Bernard also stressed the importance of Gift Aid tax recovery which enabled the Trust to recover £4169 in the past year, and a further £2400 to date in 2011/12. Reserves were still healthy and were being held for the future, especially should there be a need to face payments for maintenance work around the site. Bernard concluded by announcing a bequest to BWT from a local resident, and asked members present to consider making bequests.
David Ward said that 30 trees had been sponsored, as well as benches, with 13 new Life Memberships resulting. There is a waiting list for new trees this autumn; 40 trees and 1 bench were available for sponsorship. David stressed the benefits of having a water bowser on site and the good service from the engraver. Some tree plaques were corroding and would need renewing, so we were looking at samples for future replacement.
Dave Johnson mentioned the wide variety of maintenance projects completed by volunteers during the year:
* A cut-off drain near the main entrance (which had proved very effective).
* Construction of hard entrance path at the Children’s Play Area, improving access for all.
* Installation of a security system in the Tractor Barn.
* Trimming and maintenance of the Church Landway hedge for Bearsted Parish Council.
* Mowing of designated areas of BWT on Tuesday/Wednesday from April to late October by 19 volunteers on rota, 9 of whom travel from outside Bearsted.
* Dave mentioned that there had been a reduction in volunteers at Thursday work-ins; he also noted that some of the maintenance work was now more physically demanding, a point to bear in mind for future needs and planning.
* The maintenance teams were delighted by the high marks received for Green Flag which reflected well on their maintenance regime.
* A Hadlow College student was working ½ day per week, and this is proving mutually beneficial.
* David Bourner, a former BWT volunteer, was now working for Tenterden Council, using skills learned at BWT.
Membership stood at 1136 members and families, reflecting about one-third of the community of about 9,000 people – a remarkable proportion. There were 342 Life Members (plus two received on the day of the AGM.) 37 Life Memberships had been received, and the Leaflet Drop earlier in the year had generated 60 new members, a very worthwhile figure. 96 Members have yet to renew their subscriptions, and had been reminded. Membership figures to March 2012 have risen to1164 family memberships, which includes 369 life memberships. Chris thanked her volunteer distributors who play such an important role for BWT.
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In April 2011 BWT were inspected for a Green Flag Community Award which recognises work that volunteer groups do to protect open spaces. About 13,000 sites applied for awards this year, and we are delighted to report that in July 2011 we got ours! BWT can now display a green flag for one year, and will of course aim to keep the flag every year in future.
Here are PDF versions of some past newsletters.
