Meadows Projects
It is the aim of the Meadows Trust to protect Hollingbourne’s countryside, by encouraging the biodiversity of native plants and animals, whilst making the whole of its land freely accessible for all to walk and enjoy.
In conjunction with the regular maintenance of the meadows (mowing of paths, watering newly planted trees etc.) several areas of improvement have been identified, such as resolving the muddy entrances, providing easier disabled access and providing additional crossing points to connect various meadows.
These schemes have been prioritised and will proceed when funds become available. Below is a list of the projects currently awaiting funding.
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► Improving the Culpeper entrance
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► Improving the Hasted entrance
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► Planting of Celebration Trees (Currently suspended in favour of Project 100)
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► Provide signage at the Windmill entrance
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► Provide signage at the Culpeper entrance (Completed October 2016)
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► Provide signage at the Hasted entrance
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► Provide a crossing between Tilefields & Hasted
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► Provide a third crossing between Culpeper & Flower Meadows
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► Improve the crossing between Culpeper & Tilefields Meadows (Removal of existing bridge) (Completed October 2017)
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► Provide fencing in Culpeper Meadow to enable rotational grazing
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► Provide a pond in Flower Meadow
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► Restore the damaged hedge row between Culpeper & Flower Meadows
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► Provide a coppice in Windmill Meadow (Adjacent to fallen Ash tree)
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► Level surface on crossing between Flower Meadow & Tilefields Meadow
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Culpeper Entrance Improvement
The Culpeper Meadow entrance becomes very muddy and slippery during wet weather. Even when it is dry, the surface is extremely uneven, especially under the bridge, where it is a trip hazard.
The aim is to replace the surface with compacted aggregate (MOT Type 1). This will provide a firmer and therefore safer surface for pedestrians. Plus it will also help improve the drainage in the area. Grass reinforcing mesh will be provided where this new surface meets the meadow’s grass to make it more durable. If funds permit the current kissing gate will be replaced with a more disabled friendly type.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £4,419-07 ___________________________________________________________________
Improving the Hasted entrance
The Hasted entrance providing access to Tilefield Meadow becomes very muddy and slippery during wet weather. Even when it is dry, the surface has become uneven, and is potentially a trip hazard. The aim is to replace the surface up to the gate with compacted aggregate (MOT Type 1). This will provide a firmer and therefore safer surface for pedestrians and vehicles. Grass reinforcing mesh will be provided where this new surface meets the meadow, to make it more durable. If funds permit the current kissing gate arrangement will be improved with a more disabled friendly type.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £6,004-60 ___________________________________________________________________
Planting of Celebration Trees (Currently suspended in favour of Project 100)
Celebration trees have proven very popular. To date there has been three phases of planting, in 2012, 2013 and 2014, totalling 69 trees. Three meadows have been identified as being suitable for an additional 105 celebration trees. These are Culpeper, Tilefield and Flower meadows.
Planting will be in seven phases and be of mainly native species with a few ubiquitous and honorary. Corporate sponsorship is being sort to fund the initial planting cost. Subsequently each tree will be offered for individual sponsorship as a celebration tree. This second phase of income will assist with the costs of their ongoing maintenance.
The total cost for planting, including maintenance for five years, for all 105 trees is £26,751.25 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide signage at the Windmill entrance
Currently there is no information about the Meadows at the Windmill entrance. It is the Trust’s aim to provide signage at all the main entrances. These information boards will allow for meadows news and events to be published, as well as important information such as. Contact details.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £700-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide signage at the Culpeper entrance (Completed October 2016)
Currently there is no information about the Meadows at the Culpeper entrance. It is the Trust’s aim to provide signage at all the main entrances. These information boards will allow for meadows news and events to be published, as well as important information such as. Contact details.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £700-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide signage at the Hasted entrance
Currently there is no information about the Meadows at the Hasted entrance. It is the Trust’s aim to provide signage at all the main entrances. These information boards will allow for meadows news and events to be published, as well as important information such as. Contact details.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £700-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide a crossing between Tilefields & Hasted
Currently there is no means to cross between Tilefield and Hasted Meadows other than wading through a deep drainage ditch. It is the Trusts aim to provide a crossing, similar to the one already provided between Culpeper and Flower Meadow. This will allow for pedestrians and mowers to cross the ditch and easily gain access to both meadows.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £1650-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide a third crossing between Culpeper & Flower Meadows
Currently there are only two means to cross between Culpeper and Flower Meadows. There is a popular footpath which presently requires pedestrians to wade through a deep drainage ditch. It is the Trusts aim to provide a crossing at this point, similar to the one already provided between Culpeper and Flower Meadow. This will allow for pedestrians and mowers to cross the ditch and easily gain access to both meadows in three separate locations, allowing for the network of mown footpaths to be fully utilised.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £1200-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Improve the crossing between Culpeper & Tilefields Meadows (Completed October 2017)
The current pedestrian bridge is now starting to show its age. It is both narrow and stepped at either end, making navigation with pushchairs extremely difficult. It is the Trusts aim to improve this crossing by piping the ditch and back filling with soil.
Grass reinforcing mesh will be provided to improve durability. This will enable pedestrians and mowing equipment to cross unimpeded.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £1600-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide fencing in Culpeper Meadow to enable rotational grazing
It is the Trusts aims to use traditional grazing methods as part of the Meadows management. There are clear environmental benefits from seasonal grazing, which can only be employed with the provision of livestock fencing. The choice is a traditional parkland fence, which has a low visual impact on the landscape and exceptional longevity.
The initial estimate to complete this project is £24,000-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide a pond in Flower Meadow
It is the aim of the Trust to eventually provide a pond for the benefit of wildlife and to enhance the visual appearance of the meadows. This project is still in the design and survey stage.
It is estimated the cost will be in the region of £10,000-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Restore the damaged hedge row between Culpeper & Flower Meadows
The existing hedge row between Culpeper and Flower Meadow has many gaps and has several areas needing improvement. The restoration involves employing coppicing and supplementary planting with native species, to provide a dense and biodiverse hedge. This will provide an excellent habitat for farmland birds.
It is estimated the cost will be in the region of £6,000-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Provide a coppice in Windmill Meadow (Adjacent to fallen Ash tree)
The area opened up as a result of the fallen Ash tree in Windmill Meadow is in need of regeneration. The location is ideal for planting a small hazel coppice of approximately 60 trees. This will require the complete removal of the fallen ash trunk as well as the making safe of a dangerous oak tree. The soil will require grading and preparation for planting.
It is estimated the cost will be in the region of £870-00 ___________________________________________________________________
Level surface on crossing between Flower Meadow & Tilefields Meadow
This area has already been graded, it requires small grading adjustments and the provision of grass reinforcing mess.
It is estimated the cost will be in the region of £590-00 ___________________________________________________________________
