This was just one of the whispered objections to our Woodland Trust-funded woodland creation on Fremington Edge. But heyho, we did it anyway. And what an uplifting sight it is at this time of year (in our opinion anyway). When the trees are in the leaf but the bracken is yet to come up, you canContinue reading “Don’t spoil our view”
Author Archives: Liz @ Heggs
Out of the ashes…
It’s hard to find a positive in the loss of living habitat, but a dead hedge feels like a good place to start.
Right tree, right place
Since forming in 2019, we’ve focused much of our efforts on woodland, scrub and hedgerow creation, putting each project through a careful consultation and design process, to ensure we’re planting only the most suitable areas, using only the most suitable species mix. Yes, we love trees, but only in the right place: Our long-term visionContinue reading “Right tree, right place”
Before… and after
In 2020, the Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected project purchased a small bracken crusher for use by landowners/farmers across the area. It can be pulled behind any ATV with a tow bar, making it handy for sites with restricted access (just like ours!). Though much of the bracken at Heggs-Castle is on steep, rocky slopes and canContinue reading “Before… and after”
Light at the end of the tunnel?
It was no surprise to learn that the last 5 months have been the wettest on record for Yorkshire since 1872. The rain simply hasn’t stopped. We have had to redraw our flood plain boundaries; accommodate new springs and run off pathways; rethink our ford access contingency plan; and abandon a number of projects entirely.Continue reading “Light at the end of the tunnel?”
Explore the new woodland on Fremington Edge
Join us on Sunday 29th October, 10:30-12:30, for a welcome walking tour exploring the new 32ha Heggs-Castle woodland. A total of 33,630 stems, comprising 16 different broadleaf species, were planted by a dedicated crew between December 2022-March 2023; along with the installation of 3km of new fencing and a forestry maintenance track. We’ll meander throughContinue reading “Explore the new woodland on Fremington Edge”
Marvellous mud
If you go down to the cluster today you’re in for a big surprise… Our flood plain has been transformed by a series of scrapes and bunds — the final intervention in this year’s series of natural flood management works. Scrapes and bunds help by temporarily storing rain and surface water — thereby increasing theContinue reading “Marvellous mud”
Mission tree planting successful
A committed team of professional planters has been working in all weathers since the start of December to make our new 32ha woodland creation a reality. Battling on through gales, driving rain – and a few glorious days of sunshine – on the exposed slopes of Fremington Edge, they have succeeded in getting all 33,630Continue reading “Mission tree planting successful”
Winter volunteer days 2023
Want something to look forward to once the festive period has ended? Brighten up those dreary winter days by volunteering with us on the cluster! Join us for a leisurely (yet productive!) morning’s work, followed by homemade soup, freshly-baked bread and cake – the perfect opportunity to carry on a good natter with like-minded folk,Continue reading “Winter volunteer days 2023”
The rise and fall… of the Arkle
Why is natural flood management so important in our neck of the woods? For those of us who lived through the devastating effects of the 2019 floods, the answer seems obvious. But some aren’t aware of just how regularly the Arkle Beck breaks its banks. This is very easy for us to observe on theContinue reading “The rise and fall… of the Arkle”
Heggs-Castle Renaturing Project 