SLNR volunteers cleared two large bramble thickets from the Lower Field early in 2012, significantly increasing the amount of open space available for wild flowers. The benefits of this rapidly became visible. The intention was to maintain a fairly open habitat in the Lower Field, with ongoing efforts to dig out bramble roots wherever possible. Some parts will be mown at least annually, while others will be left permanently untidy for the benefit of the wildlife. The damper area near the pond is being allowed to be taken over naturally by Meadowsweet, Purple Loosestrife and Great Willowherb. Management of the Upper Field has to be compatible both with the needs of the young fruit trees and bushes, the wildlife, and the public. Mowing is kept to the minimum necessary, but some areas have several cuts a year for amenity reasons. The high fertility of the soil encourages grass growth to the detriment of wildflowers, but Yellow Rattle is now well-established in a few places, and spreading. Planting wildflower “plug plants” has proved more effective than seed-sowing. In future, mechanical mowers are likely to be replaced increasingly by the scythe, much more sympathetic to all forms of wildlife.

The trees in the old orchard are still productive, and have benefited from some pruning in recent years. They include two (very ancient) Bramleys and a mature pear tree. The first phase of new planting consisted mainly of locally-popular varieties of cider apple, some of these trees also now cropping well. To make the orchard more widely appealing, the more-recent plantings in the Upper Field have included a variety of dessert apples, a plum, a damson, and four hazel nut trees. This was made possible by using money remaining from a grant awarded in 2008 for the planting of the Community Woodland (“Moor Wood”) near Wellington Sports Centre. A walnut tree was donated by a Wellington resident who wanted to support the project. Currant and gooseberry bushes were added in the spring of 2016, as part of a community initiative run by Transition Town Wellington’s “Sustainable Food Group”.

These young trees and bushes have required some nurturing, but most are well-established and in good health. Altogether, these plantings should create a community resource providing free food for decades to come.