Each year we give the wildflower a bit of a trim. This keeps the grass in check and helps the wild flowers to thrive.
It’s a lot of work, so we need your help!
Some of last year’s helpers…
If you can spare an hour or two to help us rake up and remove up the cuttings you’ll be doing great things for our little forest and the many visitors who come to enjoy it.
We’ll be working in the wildflower meadow (of course 🙂 ) from 10am on Sunday 29th August. All ages welcome.
Why not bring a picnic, or at least a little something for a well-earned break at half-time.
So that it can reach its full potential as a haven for wildlife and people alike in the urban landscape of Swindon, the Hreod Burna Urban Forest needs a lot of work.
Following on from the huge success of our efforts to mow the wildflower meadow in September, we have plans to take on a series of vital jobs in other parts of HBUF.
Just some of our wildflower volunteers
Over the coming months we have volunteers from various groups coming in for one-off events and we’re launching a regular get-together once a month to tackle a long list of jobs that the trustees have identified:
Strimming, clearing of brambles and cutting back in some areas to allow new planting and maintain previously planted areas.
Creating a grove of birch trees around the trees rescued from the Moonrakers roadworks.
Preparation and planting of our Celtic tree circle.
Strimming and clearance of existing paths and cutting back trees/undergrowth in preparation for laying of new paths.
Coppicing – this was started last autumn and needs to be maintained.
Planting of trees & under-storey shrubs (e.g. box, yew, holly).
Planting of 1,000 fritillaries and wildflower plug plants in the wildflower meadow.
Clearance of the Himalayan balsam growing along the brook – it’s an invasive species.
Our regular work parties will be on the first Sunday of every month, starting on the 1st of November.
The events will be covid-safe. We have plenty of jobs spread across the site to allow small groups to work at distance within government guidelines.
We’ll post more details of the particular works planned each month closer to the date, and what particular skills & equipment (gloves, tools, etc.) might be required. If you can join us every month, or just for an hour or two every now and again, your efforts will be greatly appreciated (not just by us but by everyone that gets such joy from the forest both today and for years to come).
You can check back here or on Facebook for news of upcoming events. If you haven’t already, why not subscribe to our mailing list for advanced warning of events and other updates from HBUF.
