Environmental Corridors
– Ash Brook and the edge of the Golf Course.
1.1 Stonehill Pond

The annual clean out of the Stonehill Pond was TMAEG’s very first task. Held each November this seeks to remove fallen branches and leaves and, increasingly, the floating duck weed. For Year Nine, Dave and Claire worked in the water, supported by other volunteers on the banks.

Snakes’ Head Fritillaries – planted in a log-edged oval alongside the Stonehill Pond footpath, these striking English native plants are at their best in late March.

The footpath seen in May, bordered by Cow Parsley and Hogweed. While an attractive sign of the Spring, they need to be cut down after flowering and their seed heads removed to prevent these species from becoming too dominant.
1.2 Bee Garden and Fernery
This project was started in 2016 on the banks of the Ash Brook to the north-east of the Stonehill Pond. A year later the site was reconfigured and its boundaries expanded to accommodate the Council’s plan to re-site the footbridge leading into Haithwaite. That and a Council grant created a fresh opportunity for TMAEG in the form of a fernery within the trees which has added to the interest of the site.

The Bee Garden showing the bridge across the Ash Brook, the hypericum hedge that lines the approach path to it and the bee garden areas.
1.3 The Ash Brook – Local Park section

Steve and Stan clearing brambles and other encroaching plants to free up the rowans, alders and hornbeams planted by TMAEG at the rear of the Play Area.

The Ashbrook Corridor continues northwards from the Clayhill crossing (shown here) to Downland. TMAEG has planted numerous trees along this section, the species including Italian alder, hazel and walnut.
1.4 Golf Course Edge – Overhauling the Pathways
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