The great British hedgerow

The hedgerow is an iconic and integral part of the British countryside.  Originally created for practical reasons such as containing livestock and marking boundaries, they have become a defining feature of the rural landscape in Britain.  But as much as hedgerows are aesthetically beautiful and enhance the charm of a walk in the countryside, they are also crucial ecosystems that are invaluable to wildlife.  Not only do they offer food, shelter and nesting sites for a wide range of animal species, but they also serve as important wildlife corridors for animals to move between different areas.  And because of the diversity in plant species, they often bloom at different times of the year, providing a continuous source of nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Here at the community hall, we planted around 400 different shrubs and trees in late April to line the edges of ‘Doris’ Pitch’.  The assortment includes rowan, dogwood, silver birch, hawthorn, wild cherry, crab apple and hazel.  In a few years these will mature into a beautiful hedgerow that will not only be visually appealing but will also contribute to the biodiversity of our local countryside for generations to come.