Coincident with Coronavirus arriving in UK, I had acquired an extra bit of agricultural land behind Pilgrims Hatch, just over 36 metres deep. So, much of our time in 'lockdown' was used to tidy it up, create an access and start planting some trees. This is the story of the Paddock Project.
When we bought in 1987, the paddock behind was used for grazing sheep and horses by a neighbour. There was a clear view of it over the rear garden wall. Cathryn & Michael even bottle fed lambs over the wall at one time. Some old photos show it then:
As it was in 2003 when the hedge was not long planted and the old shed was still in the paddock:
When we bought in 1987, the paddock behind was used for grazing sheep and horses by a neighbour. There was a clear view of it over the rear garden wall. Cathryn & Michael even bottle fed lambs over the wall at one time. Some old photos show it then:
Carol, Towser & horse c1988
Hannah & Lorna with horse c1988
The Hunt assembles 1990
As it was in 2003 when the hedge was not long planted and the old shed was still in the paddock:
First on the agenda of the Paddock Project was to remove that now rather hostile hawthorn hedge:
Next the access to avoid clambering over the wall. A gap had to be made in an old wall that was built on a slope, with no regular pattern and with three different sizes of brick! It was more than just a little challenge to make two vertical piers for the bricklayer, who did a fine job.
Having been untended for such a long time, the network of bramble and nettle roots was extensive and may continue to be a maintenance problem for some time yet, but it's beginning to take shape. I was discovering that my strength and stamina have faded as the years have advanced, but it was rewarding!
The paddock itself is very uneven and peppered with holes, believed to be vole burrows. After some trial blocking, it appears that none are now active, so I started filling them in with surplus soil from the tree plantings.
When in leaf and at 2m high, it obscured the paddock
from ground level and was a significant maintenance burden
as well as interfering with some of the border plants' growth
Ah yes, the paddock being revealed once more
Stumps remain to be dug out
Old metal gate to be removed
And burnt
Clear at last, rough & still to be mowed
Better!
Next the access to avoid clambering over the wall. A gap had to be made in an old wall that was built on a slope, with no regular pattern and with three different sizes of brick! It was more than just a little challenge to make two vertical piers for the bricklayer, who did a fine job.
The bricks almost fell out on their own with a slight tap
Ready for the gate fabricator to reopen for business
Jean starts moving shrubs from the garden
Now for some trees:
Acer, Autumn Blaze, from Michael
In leaf and settled
Liquid Amber tree moved from front garden where it had done nothing
In leaf and much happier
Brambles and nettles cleared from eastern boundary
Grass seed taking quite well
Amelanchier tree from Hannah
Jean's hard work rewards
Tibetan Cherry from Michael
Low hanging Ash branches cleared from corner
ready for a Summer House
Having been untended for such a long time, the network of bramble and nettle roots was extensive and may continue to be a maintenance problem for some time yet, but it's beginning to take shape. I was discovering that my strength and stamina have faded as the years have advanced, but it was rewarding!
The paddock itself is very uneven and peppered with holes, believed to be vole burrows. After some trial blocking, it appears that none are now active, so I started filling them in with surplus soil from the tree plantings.
Prolonged dry weather has required daily watering of the new trees. Maybe it has also caused the old grass to remain very coarse despite mowing, so more work in progress. It is not intended that it is to be of garden standard, rather just tidy and not so much of a major maintenance burden.
Next was a Crimson King Acer:
After a bit of a wait, it was then time to plant two multi-stem Tibetan Cherries beside the single stem:
The base for the summer house is complete, the fence is up and the gate is fitted:
Great colours when the cobbles are wet!
and Amie returned home from Australia:
After a bit of a wait, the Summer House tucks nicely into the corner, with a glass at the ready (look closely) to enjoy the view:
Ready for conversion into a Potting Shed!
As temperatures start to drop, the colours of Autumn emerge:
Autumn Blaze Acer
Liquid Amber
Amelanchier
As autumn continued to take effect, more additions were made:
Yellow Magnolia from Cathryn
in memory of her Mum, Carol
Oak bench & Forest Pansy from Lorna & Scott
in memory of Hannah in the
corner, started with her Amelanchier
that she sadly never saw.
Meanwhile, the Summer House has morphed into a Potting Shed:
Still a corner left to sit in, just!
Background rainbow
A snow flurry in between Christmas and New Year
Spring is beginning to spring, the grass has had its first cut, some buds and leaves are beginning to show, plus the odd daffodil planted around the bases:
Acer Autumn Blaze
Amelanchier & daffodils
Summer is hopefully on the way! It was a long and wet wait during May, but,
finally:
Glorious sunsets and skies
Even the Red Arrows came to play at Ragley Hall nearby
And Autumn comes around again in '21:
Lastly, a lovely sunset over the Malvern Hills from The Lenches Club:
