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New woodland area
Our volunteers had a fantastic day working with the PCC team, working on Phase 2 of our planting scheme as part of the the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest scheme. We have planted a 300 m2 area in the Upper Field with over 500 one-year old whips (Alder, Aspen, Bird cherry, Blackthorn, Crab apple, Dog rose, Dogwood, Downy birch, Elder, Field maple, Hawthorn,Hazel, Holly, Purging Buckthorn, Rowan, Silver birch, Spindle.) The trees are mulched with a layer of cardboard and wood chip to help them to establish. Some of the trees have been mulched with felt mats made from sheep wool supplied by Dartmoor Hill Farm Project. This is part of a trial to test its efficacy and to add value to wool obtained after shearing, which currently is of little commercial worth. The trees will be managed to establish a woodland canopy over the next five years or so.
We have also planted five standard trees (Walnut, Oak, Hornbeam) which will mature to complement other specimen trees to enhance walks in the park and shady spots to relax, picnic, or play.
We have also planted to fill some of the gaps in the boundary hedge and added more trees to the fence at the rear of houses bordering Sackville close in the lower field, as well as two Tamar cherries and pear trees in the orchard.
Trees provide huge environmental benefits like the mitigation of atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and increasing biodiversity by providing diverse habitats and food sources for animals and birds. There is also increasing recognition of the value of trees for quality of life in urban environments, with many research studies showing their importance for the environment and for our health and well being. Trees produce oxygen and contribute to the . Many studies have shown that trees boost our physical and mental health. They provide shade and local cooling. Trees produce oxygen and chemicals that have direct benefits for our immune, hormonal, and circulatory systems when we breathe forest air. Their leaves also reduce the level of harmful particles from traffic fumes. Many people find that walking among trees has a calming and mood-improving effect, and scientific studies confirm that this can provide relief from anxiety and depression. Forest Bathing, anyone?
Newsletter — January 2024
A walk in the park
The walks will be led by Tess Wilmot and Jenny Floyd. who will share their love of trees, their stories, and their many uses. Members of of Friends of Downhorn Park will be available to answer questions about this wonderful hidden green space and the work they have been doing over the last 18 months to care for this space.
Report from the AGM
Many thanks to everyone who attended our first AGM was held on 2 April. The meeting reviewed reports from the Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, showing that we have had a very successful first year and made rapid progress since forming int the end of 2021. Most importantly, we discussed plans for the coming year and beyond. Here’s a brief summary of the discussion points.
- Problems of dog fouling and litter —we are have reminded PCC of their promise to install bins and signs.
- Ideas for engaging young people to take part in activities and avoiding antisocial behaviour.
- Revival of the annual Plymstock Festival.
- Publicising our activities.
- Plans for tree and hedge planting, wildflower areas, and bog garden.
- Plans to install benches.
- Improving accessibility by fundraising for all-weather paths.
- The volunteer scheme for managing the Community Garden.
- Agreement to introduce a formal membership scheme, with a small annual fee.
You can read the full minutes of the meeting here.
Details of the Membership Scheme
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Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held from 2-4 pm on Sunday 2nd April in the Parish Hall on Church Road. Refreshments will be available.
The AGM allows the Committee to outline our activities for the past year, and perhaps more importantly offers you the opportunity to have your say on future ideas and plans. The attached PDF file outlines what we hope to achieve in the near future and how. In particular, you will note that Agenda items, 6, 7, 8 and 9 cover areas where we need your input.
We are also looking to widening the scope of people within the Committee so please consider getting involved with us so that we can take into account even more views and ideas. We hope to see you there!
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NEWSLETTER February 2023
Spring is on its way. The newly planted daffodils are starting to bloom, hazel catkins are decorating the hedges, and birds are building nests. We are looking forward to another exciting year, continuing our mission to develop the Community Garden and wider environmental improvements to enhance our precious green space. Please read on for updates and details of forthcoming activities, especially our Annual General Meeting on 2 April, where we hope to see you to share ideas and shape our plans for the coming year.
Community garden update
Despite three periods of heavy frosts, most of the plants that we sowed in late autumn are doing well. We currently have beds with vegetables, spring bulbs and summer flowers, and pollinator-friendly wildflowers. We are planning a succession of edible vegetables and fruits for the coming growing season. One of the aims behind creation of the Community Garden is the promotion of mental health through social interactions and the benefits of green open space. Beginning on 5 April, volunteers will be meeting every Wednesday at 11.00 a.m. in the Community Centre coffee lounge, before undertaking an hour or so of chatting and gentle gardening — sowing, planting, weeding, and watering. If you would like to be involved in running the garden beds or know someone who could benefit, please contact alexandra.stafford@btinternet.com or text/WhatsApp 07968 105326).
Dead hedge, composting and wood chip area
We’re planning to take advantage of a natural gap in the border hedge separating the fields, which provides a space to put brash — twigs and branches from the pruning and maintenance of trees and hedges. We will use these to build a “dead hedge” to contain green waste from the community garden for composting and for storing wood chip which will be used for regular mulching of the newly planted trees and hedges during their establishment. This will enhance biodiversity, by providing a great habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife. We are making a start on preparing the area on Sunday 12 March, 2.00-4.00 p.m. — please join us if you can. Wear suitable clothing and garden gloves for dealing with branches and brambles; if you have them, please also bring loppers, pruning saws, or secateurs.
Committee update
Our Committee now comprises eight members: Colin Munn (Chair/Treasurer), Nigel Jackson (Secretary), Vaishali Phippen, Sam Rebeiro, Maxine Chapman, Alex Stafford, Sian Lane, and Alison Jory. In recognition of the tremendous help provided by Tess Wilmot, the Committee was pleased to appoint her as an Honorary Member at our last meeting. Without Tess, our scheme would not have got as far as it has in such a short space of time. She has given invaluable advice in planning and practical issues and has provided a wide range of essential contacts enabling us to benefit from the experience of other community groups through her activities.
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will take place on Sunday 2 April, 2.00-4.00 p.m. in the Parish Hall, Church Road. Agenda items will include reports from the Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary; proposals for a minor modification of the Constitution to institute a formal membership scheme, and election of the Committee. Most importantly, the meeting will provide a forum for supporters to help shape our plans for activities in the coming year, including community events and activities, plans for tree planting in the lower field, creation of wildflower areas, and to discuss ideas for fundraising to provide much-needed benches and improved accessibility. If you have specific items you would like to add to the Agenda, please email Nigel.jackson@plymouth.ac.uk. All welcome, refreshments will be provided.
More information and contacts
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Successful planting day
The extensive rains of the past month meant the soil was in perfect condition for planting — luckily for us, we enjoyed a dry day and managed to complete the planting in the afternoon. We planted 12 new trees (plum, medlar, apple and quince) in the orchard and mixed species of hedging plants on the perimeter of the lower field, including hawthorn, dog rose, downy birch, silver birch, hazel, rowan, sessile oak, elder, and crab apple. Special thanks to Stephen and the planting team from PCC who will be returning in the coming months to remulch the trees and water when necessary to ensure that they become well established. We are really grateful for the support of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest initiative. In the New Year, we will begin to develop plans for planting in the Upper Field in 2023/4
Planting new trees and hedges
We’re delighted to confirm that we’ve been successful in sourcing new trees for the Community Orchards, and hedging trees/bushes for the perimeter of the lower field. They are being planted as part of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest initiative, supported by the DEFRA Nature for Climate Fund.
Planting day — Wednesday 30 November (from 12.30)
The planting will be carried out by PCC staff supported by our community members. If you think you will be able to help, please text 07941850015 so that we can contact you in case of any last minute change of plan. Tools will be provided, but please bring gardening gloves and make sure you have good footwear and waterproof clothing!
We’ve selected a range of fruiting trees to complement the apple trees that are already established. We will be planting 12 trees in total — different varieties of plum (5), pear (5), medlar (1), and apple (1). These will be 1-1.5 m tall at the time of planting. With proper care, they should begin to bear fruit in two or three years time. We are also sourcing two Tamar Valley cherry trees for planting in 2023/4. The orchard will provide our community with a wide variety of tasty fruits in years to come, as well as the joy of spring blossom. Orchards are invaluable for biodiversity, providing varied habitats and food sources for insects, birds, bats and other wildlife.
Hedging
The 275 hedging plants will be planted adjacent to the fences bordering Sackville Close, and on the south border above the orchard. These are native species, including hawthorn, blackthorn, dogwood, crab apple, field maple, glued rose, and spindle. They will be planted as whips 30-40 cm tall and protected by guards. They’ll take a few years to fully establish, providing important habitat and food sources for birds and other wildlife. In addition, the berries will be valuable for those who like home made jams and jellies, complementing the prolific blackberries on site.
A million pleasures?
William Wordsworth, author of the famous poem I wandered lonely as a cloud wrote: “One daffodil is worth a thousand pleasures”. Since we planted over 1000 bulbs into the sloping bank in the lower field, that should provide a million pleasures when they bloom in Spring! Thanks to everyone who helped to make this such a special morning on 29 October, The event enabled us to get together around the newly planted raised beds to celebrate completion of the first stage of our Community Garden project.
Friends of Downhorn Park 