September 2025 News Update

September and October are very busy months with the end of summer mow.  This is done entirely by hand using only hand tools: ordinary tools that anyone can use in their gardens.  By avoiding power tools, we avoid injury and minimise disturbance to any wildlife on the site such as our resident frogs, and allows us to leave plants still flowering to create colour on the land for the benefit of locals and users of the shared footpath/cyclepath.  Using hand tools also keeps our carbon footprint to a minimum in line with HDC’s aims for carbon zero.

 The task is very hard work and slow, but is usually complete by the end of October to allow the site to rest for the winter. 

 This year we have spotted a whole range of butterflies, in contrast to last year when the cold wet spring reduced their numbers significantly, and we have seen a broad range of other invertebrates.  Our plants have prospered, despite the year being very dry.