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| Watnall Park - clump of trees planted by the local tree warden Bob Edwards |
🚜 RURAL MATTERS - by Jeff Burrows
The area which the Greasley and District Civic Society covers is, in the main, a semi-rural to rural area and the feedback we get from the public at large is that they would like to keep it that way, for the most part, with small sympathetic developments to incorporate the rural feel to the area.
We are, without doubt, fortunate to live in some of the most beautiful countryside to be found anywhere, and I mean in the world. Palm trees have never been a match to a beautiful broad oak in my opinion. The rolling patchwork of fields and hedges, the dense woods etc, all coupled with the mystique of DH Lawrence, who lived, worked and wrote about the area we are covering, makes it even more special.
As I write this, we have just learnt that the volunteer tree warden for the Greasley area is retiring from his post. Bob Edwards has planted around 2,500 trees in the area, many grown from scratch by himself. A dedicated man, he will be almost impossible to replace. I personally met Bob on a very windy, inclement day, up on the hills of the old Rolleston estate in Watnall. He had already planted some trees and was now constructing a fence with barbed wire to protect them from cattle. His face red from the elements, the beads of sweat from his labour and his hands bleeding from the barbed wire, he was trying to manage the job on his own!
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| Kids off on another adventure - Watnall Park |
We got talking about the environment when I mentioned the state of his hands. He was blissfully unaware of their state, having been too engrossed and determined with his job, making a better place for us all to enjoy and live in. So I would like to say a big "Thank You" to Bob, from the Greasley and District Civic Society.
Again, impossible to replace such a man but nevertheless, Greasley Parish Council have asked the public to come forward with a replacement tree warden. I would like to see the focus of the warden's work to include hedges as well as trees, with the restoration of hedgerows, as well as planting new hedges where possible. It is without doubt a neglected area in conservation with little or no input for decades. Many business premises as well as open countryside and highways could incorporate hedges. Private homes etc could benefit from hedges too, instead of fashionable makeover, TV-inspired concrete posts and blue fences!
It is a myth that hedges take more looking after, a trim twice a year and that's it! It is also a fraction of the cost and they don't blow away in high winds. And, of course, birds can't nest in fence panels, nor wildlife in general prosper. In the future the Civic Society will be active in encouraging hedge planting and promoting the benefits. We need the support of local government and local people to make a better and sustainable environment for all. In the meantime get planting!
https://historicengland.org.uk/content/heritage-counts/pub/previous/em/hc_rr_em_em_-pdf/
Tree wardens
https://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/news-area/become-a-tree-warden-for-your-local-area/
https://treecouncil.org.uk/tree-wardens/
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