Sowing and Watering

Another Eventful Morning for TMAEG.

Just six weeks ago the TMAEG Team dug over an area next to the new footbridge for later sowing with wildflower seeds. We removed a mass of ivy roots, brambles and other weeds – a painstaking task!

This latest Saturday, we returned to the site, gave it a final raking over and then sowed those seeds at a density of 3 grams per square metre – again much patience needed!
We don’t expect instant results, nature takes its time. But hopefully, some of those varieties will be in flower by this summer and the rest by their second season.

Last week we experienced a mini heat wave. Very nice for us human beings but less good for those seeds and also for the young trees we planted a little earlier. So we made sure that everything was well watered, the two sources being a very kind TMAEG member from his own tap and then the stream M169 that borders the Bluebell Wood. With this ‘Chain Gang,’ we soon got that job finished!

 

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Working on the Bluebell Wood

In February and March TMAEG volunteers enjoyed several busy mornings in our local bluebell wood completing and enhancing the new Bluebell Circuit.

Linking the paths,  two images below – Here our team is laying heavy tree stems to connect the two first sections of raised pathway, prior to the spreading of wood chips between them. The result is a continuous raised path between the entrance to the Circuit off the High Street and our new 11m footbridge.

Our next task (shown below) was some carefully planned underplanting within the bluebell wood that had recently been thinned as part of the Parks Trust’s cyclical woodland management programme.  This project enabled TMAEG to plant 65 new trees and shrubs to provide lower and medium height cover under the high canopies of the existing Norway Maples and other mature trees.

In this first phase we concentrated on planting alongside the new route to accentuate the winding line of this new woodland path.

The path passes between groups of newly planted hazels, wayfaring trees and other species (see below). It also aligns with the swathes of the soon to flower English Bluebells.

A necessary, associated task (shown above) for TMAEG was to remove the storm debris of the past winter, to enable the bluebells to be seen in their fully glory.

One of ten Yews (Taxus baccata),  shown above. These have been scattered around the woodland to add to local variety and provide winter colour. Commonly seen in English churchyards, this is one of the world’s longest-living trees.

Most of the new trees were provided for us by the Parks Trust. They included ten Wild Service trees Sorbus torminalis. Together with the other trees planted by TMAEG, this relative of the rowan will add variety to the bluebell wood, transforming this former limited species plantation into an ecologically rich, multi-species woodland.

Another Sorbus tree in place! For most of our trees, we have been using a new type of tree shelter (in place of the former plastic tubes). These are of sturdy bio-degradable materials and should protect our trees and shrubs through their early years.

A near sunset view of the new footbridge and of the Green Ride beyond.

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Litter bugs

Whenever TMAEG volunteers do an environmental project we remove and dispose of any litter. We reckon that a cleaner environment reduces the dumping of litter. But litterbugs are still around as we’ve seen at the start of 2022.

Our Ash Brook, the stream which runs through the Local Park was hit by thoughtless individuals who dumped the remains of their ready meals into this pretty, green corridor.
Here (above) is the mess as seen from the High Street.

TMAEG volunteers descended to the stream bed (shown above), helped by that blue rope and retrieved the rubbish.

Here (below) is some of it displayed on the Redway prior to despatch to the Recycling Park.

TMAEG volunteers also do litter pick-only sessions. Here, our team has just completed a morning’s work at the Clay Hill end of the Local Park.

Six Bags of Rubbish to be passed on to Milton Keynes Council. Two years back the yield would have been twice this. Progress by the two Councils and TMAEG – but still some way to go!

Want to help TMAEG?  You can help in many ways,  not just by volunteering.  Become a member for just £5 a year.  Find out more here.

 

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Fallen Poplars

The image below shows the scene on Wednesday 23rd of April after Storm Franklin toppled two mature poplars within the Milesmere/Thorncliffe Wood end of the Bluebell Circuit. One crashed onto the largest of TMAEG’s spring flower glades containing recently planted English bluebells and wood anemones.

But, just when you need them…the TMAEG volunteers are on hand!

First things first,  sizing up the problem?  Then a risk assessment – it’s quite a job and we don’t want any volunteers hurt.  Looking possible and so the mangled branches are removed first but can the team also tackle the removal of that section of the trunk which lies across the glade?

Brian saws up the trunk. A new blade for the bow saw made it a much easier task.

Simon and Brian sawing the trunk into smaller and of course, liftable sections.

The glade is now cleared and the picture shows the cut end of the poplar trunk. The woven fence can now be restored. There is a good chance that many of the bluebells will have survived.

Well done TMAEG volunteers and all done within three days of the fallen trees being found.

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Two Mile Ash Open Gardens 2022

This is an invitation to consider offering your garden for Two Mile Ash Open Gardens 2022, which will take place over the weekend 11-12th June, 1-5 pm.

This will be the 5th Open Gardens and will also encompass our TMAEG projects, showcasing a rejuvenated Bee Garden and Fernery. Also, our newly-opened Bluebell Circuit, which offers new walking opportunities.

The OG2022 sub-group has already been offered several full and front gardens. These lie along the Fairways/Westcliffe/ Milesmere/Stonehill/ axis. We would welcome more in these areas.

From the visitors’ point of view, clusters are more attractive than an isolated garden at the end of a long trudge. If you’re considering opening your garden some way away from others, it would be useful to find a neighbour or two nearby! Get in touch with us, in any case.

Remember, this is not a competition. There is huge variety  in Two Mile Ash and we’d welcome gardens that reflect this, quirky or immaculate.

It is amazing what people have achieved following their own particular vision – we know that two years of virtual lockdown have provided the opportunity for transforming a dull garden into a very special place. Maybe flowers have given way to fruit and vegetables? Perhaps your garden is now a magnet for wildlife?

For the visitor, this variety is the joy of Open Gardens.

Past Open Gardeners have enjoyed the event very much and have also appreciated the opportunity to run, if they choose, a small activity – teas, or a plant stall, perhaps – to raise funds for their own favourite charity. Around 100 visitors per garden can be expected.

Alternatively, if you want to help in another way, lending a hand staffing another garden, or distributing Yellow Passports, then please get in touch.

If you go to our website www.tmaeg.org and click on Open Gardens, you may find answers to any questions you may have.

Please reply to me on pavlagossop17@outlook.com or ring 01908 561365, ideally by Friday 11th March. I look forward to hearing from you!

Pavla Gossop

Open Gardens 2022

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Annual meeting goes virtual

Daffodils at Cornhill/Stonehill Junction

Among the activities affected by the cutbacks in local services has been the environmental management of our public areas. Those difficulties have been exacerbated this year by the onset of Covid 19 which has had massive implications for our public services generally. Throughout this pandemic period, the Two Mile Ash Environmental Group (TMAEG) has sought where it can to continue its activities, recognising the considerable benefits of its gardening and landscaping work to the well-being of the local community.

One of the activities that TMAEG hasn’t been able to continue with concerns indoor gatherings; that has meant that its annual Celebration and AGM, normally held each September, could not take place this year. So instead, the Group has opted for a Virtual Annual Meeting and a written Annual Report, charting how TMAEG has fared during its ninth year to October 1st 2020, the last half of which was affected by the virus. Thus, it has made use of email, the internet, and some physical deliveries to update its many members on the progress being made, as well as to seek their feedback.

This News Item concentrates on two of TMAEG’s inputs to the Virtual Annual Meeting; its core Annual Report on Sites and Events; and a commentary by TMAEG Chairman Stanley Cohen on how the work has been pursued through these adverse times.

You can access the Virtual Annual Report here:

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Coton Manor Garden – TMAEG’s Summer Outing – 5th June

A highlight for TMAEG this summer was a trip to one of England’s loveliest gardens, Coton Manor near Althorp in Northamptonshire. This is a very special place, really a collection of gardens and landscapes, with something for everyone. And a learning experience for TMAEG into how to do things! A selection of photos follows; mostly taken by David Barratt, our former chairman.  Thanks Dave!

The gardens were first laid out in the 1920s by the grandparents of the present owners

The gardens were first laid out in the 1920s by the grandparents of the present owners

With its stone terraces, the 17th Century manor house provides a central focus for the gardens

With its stone terraces, the 17th Century manor house provides a central focus for the gardens

Nine of us made the trip, sharing three cars.

Nine of us made the trip, sharing three cars.

The holly hedge border, seen from the terrace

The holly hedge border, seen from the terrace (Chris Gossop)

Another fine border, further down the slopes

Another fine border, further down the slopes (Chris Gossop)

A woodland area with rhododendron at its best

A woodland area with rhododendron at its best

The ‘water globe’ – natural lighting?

The ‘water globe’ – natural lighting?

The Old Orchards with their ‘water staircase’, and

The Old Orchards with their ‘water staircase’, and . . .

lush native plants beneath the trees

lush native plants beneath the trees.

Beautiful blue perennials in one of the flower borders

Beautiful blue perennials in a flower border.

 

 

 

Everywhere, colour abounds

 

 

The unexpected – two colourful residents

The unexpected – two colourful residents

‘Lord of all I survey’ – representation of a stag in the wildflower meadow

‘Lord of all I survey’ – representation of a stag in the wildflower meadow

View across the lake towards the manor

View across the lake towards the manor

For more information, visit www.cotonmanor.co.uk

 

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Highlights of 2019

By the end of this TMAEG year ending with the 8th Year Celebration & AGM on September 14th, we will have run some forty events – a mix of environmental schemes, visits, walks and socials. The need to safeguard and improve our environment is increasingly seen as vital to our planet’s future and to span all levels from the local – as here in Two Mile Ash – to the global. As a local environmental group, TMAEG seeks to do its bit both for the people who live, work and visit here and for nature and biodiversity. And in terms of the human species, we like to think that we are as much social as environmental as everything we do brings us together, providing opportunities for new friendships and contributing to our feelings of well-being.

Herewith, a small selection of the things we have been doing.

Summer planting at the Park Gateway

As part of a joint scheme with Hair Culture and the Dental Practice who own the large planters, TMAEG volunteers remove the winter pansies and daffodils and replace them with red geraniums and trailing lobelias. This happened in late May and will provide summer colour for this focal point of our village centre.

Maintenance of this big pedestrian area is a year-round task.

Earlier in the season, volunteers tamed a previously overgrown pyracantha bush.

 

 

 

They weeded the eye-catching  Twin Gardens created by TMAEG in the spring of 2018,

 

 

 

 

and trimmed some of the Council’s shrubs which border the Twin Gardens at the entrance to the Local Park.

 

 

The result, a more attractive place for everyone.


Working with entry year children at Ashbrook School

Every year, about half way through the autumn term, TMAEG teams up with Ashbrook School to enable first year children to plant daffodil bulbs in prepared sites close to the school.

A view of the entrance to the Local Park in March 2019 – these are the newest of our Ashbrook daffodils, planted by children entering the school in the autumn of 2018.

Year by year, as the children plant more daffodils, and as the individual groups thicken out, the result becomes ever more striking.


Nature areas and spring flowers

Wood anemones in the Milesmere/Thorncliffe Woodland. These were planted some years back by TMAEG in a newly created glade and they are now coming into their own.

 

Native primroses have been planted in a second glade providing a fine spring display at the point where the woodland track joins the green ride running along the western edge of TMA.

 

A related species, the cowslip, can also be found here . . .

 

. . . as can the pretty flower, stitchwort.

 

Visits, Talks and Walks

The Year Eight Programme included two local walks led by Stan, three visits and our second Winter Social. The Local Heritage Walk in December reminded us that while Two Mile Ash is barely 40 years old, quite close by we have the remains of a Roman villa, a medieval priory and Georgian architecture. This walk was followed in the spring by another very enjoyable one covering the historic village of Loughton and the Teardrop Lakes.

The Loughton Walking Group

The Loughton Walking Group

 

The Winter Social at Holy Cross Church was attended by an audience of 25 members; our speakers were Kevin Slaymaker on local wildlife – and Chris Monk (TMAEG’s web master) on ‘IT Society and Local Memories’. A very thoughtful evening, giving rise to plenty of questions and discussion, and with refreshments provided by Lin and her team.

The Social was part of a cluster of TMAEG events held in February – see TMAEG’s flyers for the visits to the Waste Recovery Park (WRP) and the Linford Lakes Nature Reserve below. NB TMAEG’s summer visit to the Coton Manor Garden is the subject of a separate news item.

The Winter Social – plenty of ideas and interest

The Winter Social – plenty of ideas and interest

 

Bee Garden & Fernery

A walk the length of the Ashbrook Corridor – from Stonehill to Downland,  shows much variety: a seasonal pond, a stream-side area planted with primroses and native bulbs, historic hedgerow reflecting an ancient boundary, stretches with TMAEG trees ‘notched’ into earlier planting and much more. The bee garden & fernery started some 3 years ago is another ‘bead on the string’ along this important landscape feature of TMA.

This area has three main components: the bee garden with its sequence of bee attracting plants; the ferns area with its complementary planting of foxgloves and; the native plants alongside the stream including hemp agrimony and water mint. The footbridge linking Haithwaite with the main path between Stonehill and the High Street provides a fine viewpoint, with the stub of the footpath leading to the line of the former bridge another one.

The bee garden at the end of May 2019

The bee garden at the end of May 2019

A succession of food flowers for the bees – from the garlic mustard of February (the bare spikey stems of which remain in this May view)

A succession of food flowers for the bees – from the garlic mustard of February (the bare spikey stems of which remain in this May view)

to the red campion of March through to June and the Oxeye daisy of May to September

to the red campion of March through to June and the Oxeye daisy of May to September

To the phacelia of May to July

to the phacelia of May to July

The fernery bounded by its circle of coppiced hazels and foxgloves.

The fernery bounded by its circle of coppiced hazels and foxgloves.

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From Year Seven into Year Eight and from Midsummer into Winter

Open Gardens 2018 

TMAEG’s largest venture last year was Open Gardens 2018, our fourth such event and our biggest yet. Radcote Lodge (garden shown below) was a new entrant and also hosted our planning meetings with the gardeners.   A gallery of 130+ photos of all 24 gardens and other projects is available here.

Radcote Lodge

Radcote Lodge

Open Gardens poster

Open Gardens poster

 

The photos shown below are of a combination of two of the TMAEG schemes that we included in Open Gardens, and of some of the other things we did during the year.

Bee Garden and Fernery
This very varied area was one of TMAEG’s own Open Gardens projects – here are some of the wildflowers that came into their own after that Week-end.

borage – seen here with a visiting bee

Borage – seen here with a visiting bee

Mallow, with its pretty pink striped flowers.

Mallow, with its pretty pink striped flowers.

Newly appeared this year, chicory - a member of the daisy family.

Newly appeared this year, chicory – a member of the daisy family.

Partnerships and ‘People Action’ 
A manifestation of our partnership with Ashbrook School is the tub planting on the school forecourt where the 12 tubs maintained by TMAEG look particularly fine alongside the ‘silver tree’. This year’s display was one of our best yet, the orange/red geraniums flowering long into the autumn.

Ashbrook School tub planting

Ashbrook School tub planting

‘Spot planting’ under our road signs is becoming quite a feature of Two Mile Ash. Often carried out by individual TMAEG members (this one by Lin) it brightens up these otherwise rather barren areas and demonstrates commitment to our local environment.

Spot planting

Spot planting

The Twin Gardens and Park Gateway 
These photos show one half of the Twin Gardens and a view from the High Street towards the Local Park at the entrance to which the Gardens are positioned. The Twin Gardens are our second community garden and our biggest entry for Open Gardens 2018. They complete TMAEG’s work along the Park Gateway area and the emphasis now will be on keeping this area in good shape, supported by the local businesses and local residents.

The Twin Gardens and Park Gateway

One half of the Twin Gardens

The Twin Gardens and Park Gateway

A view from the High Street

The Ash Brook Corridor
Six years ago or so, it was practically impossible to spot that there was any water flowing in this watercourse across TMA. With the agreement of Milton Keynes Council, we adopted the corridor for enhancement, opening it up and planting trees and wildflowers. We seek now to maintain it as a biodiverse, semi-natural and visually attractive area. To take two examples (see photos), we aim to keep open views down the stream from the bridge over the High Street and to maintain the stream banks in a stretch of the corridor where wildflower seeding was carried out some five years ago (see above).

The Ash Brook Corridor

The Ash Brook Corridor, a view from the bridge

The Ash Brook Corridor

The Ash Brook Corridor,  working on the stream banks.

 

Stonehill Pond 
We ‘autumn clean’ the Pond every year to remove branches and leaves and thereby prevent overmuch silting up. With our ten volunteers this year we were able to do not only that but also much work on the surrounding area. The stream sides were selectively cleared and the path was given a good sweep. One unexpected bonus, a wallet stolen several months ago was found in the pond and returned to its owner! Not surprisingly the money was gone but she was pleased to get the wallet back, nevertheless!

Dave and Clare working in the pond

Dave and Clare working in the pond

Dave and Clare working in the pond

Dave and Clare with time for a chat!

 Gil and Barbara clearing brambles from the slopes behind to enable other wildflowers to spread.

Gil and Barbara clearing brambles from the slopes behind to enable other wildflowers to spread.

Our volunteers providing an ‘autumn clean’ to the Pond.

The TMAEG volunteers providing an ‘autumn clean’ to the Pond.

 

The pond fully recharged after all the recent rain

The pond fully recharged after all the recent rain

Autumn Litterpick 
On this litterpick we tackled the section of the Ash Brook between Downlands up as far as the edge of the Local Park Play Area. Five bags largely of cans and glass bottles were collected.

The litterpick

The litterpick

Introduction of power tools
With support from the Parish Council, TMAEG has recently bought two Lithium Ion battery powered tools – a hedge trimmer and a strimmer. We have now tried them out on several sites – the photos show Peter operating the hedge trimmer in a length of hedgerow containing TMAEG trees. He was quickly able to cut away the brambles to prevent encroachment on the trees.

Peter operating the hedge trimmer

Peter operating the hedge trimmer

Brambles cut away to prevent encroachment on the trees.

Brambles cut away to prevent encroachment on the trees.

 

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Winter into Spring 2018

Winter works in Two Mile Ash

A view from roof level of the Stonehill Pond and spinney taken on the last day of January 2018.  The previous November, TMAEG volunteers cleared leaves and other ‘tree litter’ from the bed of the pond.  Remarkably, only one item of ‘human litter’, a single can, was found, a sign that the pond is once again a cherished community facility.

 

Winter season management of the Ash Brook corridor which crosses Two Mile Ash from west to east.  We seek to keep the brambles under control and look after the many native trees and wildflowers that we’ve planted over the years.

 

If you follow the path from Stonehill, past the pond, you’ll soon reach the bee garden and the new fernery. In the upper picture, there is a viewing point for the fernery bounded by a low woven dogwood fence;  the ferns lie in the distance on the far bank of the Ash Brook. The lower picture shows some of the newly planted ferns.

 

Flourishing spring wildflowers in the Milesmere Woodland

Wild daffodils.  These English native bulbs are now well established in the first of TMAEG’s managed glades.

 

Native primroses are prolific in this area; they are one of the main signs of spring.

 

In the middle of March, TMAEG worked on its second glade, defining it with a low dogwood fence and planting many more native primroses to enhance this part of the woodland.

 

An early spring sight in Thorncliffe, the work of one of our open gardeners, Stan.  A fine combination of topiary, bulbs and heathers in flower.

 

Two new areas for TMAEG’s daffodil planting – the greens at Capian Walk and Milesmere/Thorncliffe    

 

Bulb Displays in our Village Centre

The wonderful purple and yellow crocuses that have adorned the green opposite Ashbrook School for at least three decades.

 

Crocus planting by TMAEG at the opposite end of the green, under the silver maples.  This is the second season for these bulbs.

 

One of 12 tubs planted up and maintained by TMAEG on the forecourt of Ashbrook School.

 

Daffodil planting at the Local Park entrance.  These February Gold bulbs (above) were planted in 2011 by Ashbrook School children at the start of an annual programme run by TMAEG in conjunction with the school.

 

 The picture above shows the most recent planting (foreground) carried out in the autumns of 2016 and 2017.  Each entry level child plants three bulbs.

 

Enhancing the Ash Brook at the Clay Hill entrance to the Local Park

In mid February TMAEG tackled this badly overgrown section of the Ash Brook.  Masses of brambles and dead branches were removed’ opening up views of the stream.

 


At the same time, tree maintenance was carried out and the accumulated litter of many years was collected by our busy team. The morning’s ‘haul’ was 17 pink and black sacks of waste and recyclable materials.

 

The morning’s work provided a reminder that we have a lovely woodland resource here, a place to walk and play.

 

There has been great support from local residents and from passers by for the now well established Kepwick Garden that has transformed a strip of uncared for  ‘leftover land’ alongside a footpath link to Capian Walk into a beautiful amenity for Two Mile Ash. Thanks to the garden and the associated environmental work along the adjacent woodland edge (photo on right), this footpath route has become a more attractive option for east to west walking journeys to and from Great Holm.

 

A second community garden is currently being created in the Park Gateway area.  With the agreement of the landowners concerned, the local authority and the occupants of the two housing units, the outworn shrubs have been removed and a start has been made on planting these with colourful shrubs.  The two facing strips of land will be laid out in the same way, matching the symmetry of the original Park Gateway design – hence the ‘Twin Gardens’. The photo shows the preparatory work about half way through.

 

The Bee Garden and Fernery

Now into its third year the bee garden is coming into its own with the pollinator attracting plants from seeds sown by TMAEG now taking over.  Here are two of these species, garlic mustard and red campion.

 

In the latest stage of our work we have planted some 120 plug plants.  These are of two types. Slightly over half of them have been put in place on the eastern bank of the Ash Brook; they include ox-eye daisy, greater knapweed and agrimony.  The others have been planted in three areas on the sides and ‘floor’ of the brook (adjacent photo) ; they are ‘marginals’ suited to stream side conditions and include marsh  marigold, purple loosestrife and ragged robin. All of these plants are either bee or other pollinator friendly.

 

Part of the fernery area which includes three species of fern.  The area is bounded by hazel trees – to be coppiced in future years – and traditional ‘cottage style’ foxgloves are also to be planted.  

 

Beauty in the Street Scene

Cherry Trees in Blossom

 

Dawn Redwoods coming into leaf  

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