Our Spring Volunteer Morning delivered a fantastic turnouts, with around 30 volunteers joining us. It was a wonderful mix of ages, abilities, and first‑timers alongside our regulars — the kind of morning that shows exactly what community action looks like in practice.

Expanding Our Wildlife Hedge

One of the major tasks this weekend was continuing the development of our wildlife hedge along the path behind the houses. This area has now been fully cleared, and volunteers planted two‑abreast rows of young saplings, extending the hedge to roughly 50 metres in total.

Wildlife hedges bring huge ecological benefits:

  • Habitat creation: They provide shelter, nesting sites, and food sources for birds, insects, and small mammals.
  • Biodiversity corridors: Hedgerows act as safe “green highways,” helping wildlife move between habitats.
  • Seasonal interest: Blossom, berries, and varied foliage support pollinators and enrich the park’s natural character.
  • Long-term resilience: As the hedge matures, it strengthens the park’s structure, improves soil stability, and enhances the landscape.

Seeing this hedge take shape is a real milestone — and it’s entirely thanks to the hands-on work of our volunteers.

Finishing the Dead Hedge at the Middle Entrance

Another big achievement was completing the dead hedge near our middle entrance. Volunteers cleared the overgrowth on the verge side of the park and finished weaving the remaining material into the structure. The whole area now looks much smarter, more welcoming, and far better defined.

Dead hedges are a brilliant, sustainable feature for parks:

  • They reuse natural materials that would otherwise be chipped or removed.
  • They create habitat for insects, amphibians, and small mammals.
  • They act as gentle barriers, guiding footfall and protecting sensitive areas.
  • They visually soften entrances and pathways with natural texture.

Tree Planting, Path Improvements, and Woodland Care

Alongside the hedge work, volunteers also

  • Planted several young trees
  • Spread woodchip across our formal paths
  • Repaired the football ruts through the woodland by the railway
  • Carried out general tidying and stewardship across the site

Every task completed helps keep Manor Park healthy, accessible, and beautiful.

Community Support and Expert Help

We were delighted to be joined by members of the local police team, who rolled up their sleeves and worked alongside residents — a great example of partnership in action.
A huge thank you also goes to:

  • Howard Gregory, arboricultural specialist, who supplied trees and shared his expertise throughout the morning
  • James Campbell, who provided photography to help us document the day
  • And the generous neighbour who donated a homemade cake — enjoyed by all during our break

A Morning That Made a Real Difference

Sessions like this remind us how much can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose. The park looks better, the habitat is richer, and the sense of community is stronger.
To everyone who joined us — thank you. Your time, energy, and goodwill genuinely shape the future of Manor Park.

If you’d like to get involved more regularly, our weekday team meets every Monday and Thursday, 10am–12 noon. Just drop us a line at team@ourmanorpark.org.uk