Monthly Archives: February 2025

Dead Hedging in Manor Park

We love dead hedges. They’re a simple, sustainable way to work with nature, and we’ve been busy putting them to good use! Our first one went up by the entrance near the railway bridge, and now, on a roll, we’re adding more.

Today, our Weekday Womble team built an impressive 30-metre dead hedge. This followed our Saturday Volunteer Morning, where we cleared back undergrowth from a well-used cut-through between two key areas—the large rear sports field and the wild meadow. With a hefty pile of cut material at our disposal, we had the perfect ingredients for another dead hedge.

With a team of six, the task was great fun and took just a couple of hours—proof that a bit of teamwork (and some well-placed stakes!) can create something really valuable for the park.

How a Dead Hedge is Constructed

We built our dead hedge using a combination of pre-cut wooden stakes and freshly cut materials, including blackthorn. The process is simple yet highly effective:

1. Setting the Posts – Sturdy wooden stakes are driven into the ground at regular intervals to form the hedge’s backbone, providing stability and defining its shape.
2. Layering the Cut Materials – Branches, twigs, and brambles—such as blackthorn—are stacked between the stakes, with larger branches at the base and finer materials on top to create density.
3. Compacting and Topping Up – As the hedge settles, additional material can be added to maintain its structure and effectiveness.
4. Letting Nature Take Over – Over time, the hedge integrates into the landscape, providing shelter for wildlife and slowly decomposing, enriching the soil beneath.

Why Use a Dead Hedge?

1. Wildlife Haven – Offers vital shelter and nesting sites for birds, insects, and small mammals.
2. Sustainable and Low-Waste – Keeps organic material in the park, reducing waste and enriching the environment.
3. Natural Boundary – Acts as a practical, eco-friendly alternative to fencing.
4. Encourages Biodiversity – Attracts pollinators, fungi, and decomposers, boosting local ecosystems.
5. Cost-Effective and Easy to Maintain – Requires no expensive materials and can be topped up over time.

At Manor Park, our dead hedges are more than just practical—they reflect our commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and working with nature rather than against it.

A huge thank-you to the Weekday Womble team for their hard work and enthusiasm. We can’t wait to build the next one!

We held our February Volunteer Morning on a cold, dark, and drizzly Saturday, unsure how many people would brave the weather. But our worries quickly faded as one by one, volunteers arrived, bringing our total to an impressive 30—ranging in age from 10 to 82.

Our tasks for the day were twofold: spreading a large pile of woodchip along some of our informal paths and cutting back blackthorn and other overgrowth near the cut-through by the giant oak between the cricket pitch and the wild meadow.

With the gazebo and refreshment station set up and tools ready half an hour before the official start, early arrivals wasted no time, shuttling wheelbarrows of woodchip to the paths. As the clock struck 10, the pace picked up, with volunteers working together efficiently.

Meanwhile, a dedicated team tackled the blackthorn, clearing several years’ worth of growth. The cut branches were set aside for a dead hedge, which will help define the cut-through boundary, create wildlife habitat, and serve as a natural composting area.

By mid-morning, the woodchip had been spread, leaving the paths from the road, around the pond, and through Bluebell Copse covered in a satisfying golden layer.

At 11:30, we paused for tea, coffee, and biscuits—a welcome chance to warm up, chat, and catch up on local happenings. After a final 45-minute push, we packed up, helped as always by a great team of volunteers who made the job quick and easy.

A huge thank you to everyone who turned out despite the grey, damp weather. Your hard work makes a real difference!

Our next event is on Saturday 15th March 10am – 1pm.