Mud, Men at Work, and More...

It may seem like there is rather a lot of destruction going on in the park at the moment. Whichever way you turn, trees and shrubs are coming down, paths are being dug up, diggers are making mud, lots of mud.  But it is all positive work and a sure sign that long awaited improvements are finally insight.

The original Rochdale Road entrance will be re-opened as part of the lottery funded project and advance works are currently underway. The hedges and shrubs have now been removed making way for the contractor, Blakedown, to dig trenches and connect the dripping wells, the Pavilion and the relocated sub-station with utilities.  Over the next couple of weeks, the footpaths near the Pavilion and Marnock Lake will occasionally be closed to facilitate this work.

Rochdale Road Entrance

Whilst this work is going on the de-silting of Marnock Lake, which turned out to be a larger job than Mid Kent Fisheries originally anticipated, is on hold.  The lake has been allowed to refill in the meantime and the clearance will be completed in late February/early March.

On the other side of the park, the evergreen hedge between the Oast House and Hilbert Road has been cut down and cleared.  This hedge was nearing the end of its life and will be replanted with a native mixed hedge and native broadleaf trees such as Field Maple.  This is part of the improvements to the Hilbert Road entrance.  The clearance works had to be done now before bird nesting season starts.

Hilbert Road

There have also been workers with diggers over the last couple of weeks based near the Hilbert Road entrance. They are carrying out repair work to the culvert by the Redleaf Close entrance to the woods.  This is not part of the lottery project but essential park repair work.  They have made rather a mess of the grass going round to the culvert owing to the weather.  This grass will be made good following their completion of the job.

There have unfortunately been some delays to the skate park work as a result of varying issues that Gravity Skate Parks have been experiencing.  However, we do anticipate work to start on site Monday 9th February.  Fingers crossed!

Our volunteers have been hard at work over the winter months and I am pleased to report on trees being planted rather than cut down.  Despite the chilly weather in January, a few hardy souls of all ages, helped plant a small hedge by the power station.  It will be a little while before it is big enough to mask that fence but lovely for those that helped plant it to watch it grow over the years.  We also sowed a few wildflower seeds in the bare areas.

Getting stuck in with planting!

Looking forward to seeing the hedge rather than the fence!

The park also welcomed the arrival of five little Black poplar trees this week courtesy of the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Black poplar is a native broadleaf which enjoys boggy ground and wet woodland...perfect for us! It is also a declining species in the UK and has great wildlife value. So we are very pleased to be hosting and supporting new planting.  The council's very own, David Scully, planted them himself with a (very) little help from me and the chair of the Friends group, Liz.

Warning - Council officer at work

The Grosvenor and Hilbert Park Community Orchard is coming along wonderfully.  We have our first group of community tree sponsors signed up and looking forward to planting their trees this February.  A fascinating talk by fruit expert Roger Worraker and his wife, Celia, provided a lovely occasion for everyone involved in the orchard to meet up and learn more.  Roger and Celia successfully developed the Five Oak Green Community Orchard and generously shared their knowledge and tips with us over some home made cake and cider.

Roger Worraker

If you would like to be involved in the Community Orchard do please get in touch with me or the Friends group.

Also, if you have any questions about work going on in the park do not hesitate to contact me.