Page 16 - link magazine

-
OF

B LA G - ROVE

cops NEW PARK

FROM
DERELICT LAND

A derelict piece of land has seventies the land gradually fell
become West Swindon's newest into dis-use and dereliction as
park and promises to be one of the farmers moved on to make used surplus play equipment to Mr. Stanford thinks the open
its most interesting. Recently 'way for West Swindon's houses. create a 'trim trail'. space at Blagrove will be used in
opened by the chairperson Ed Stanford, Landscape Archi- "Beside each piece of equip- a different way to others. "It's
of Tharnesdown Councils Arts tect in the Arts and Recreation ment there's a simple sign telling not very close to houses and it's
and Recreation Committee, the Division, described what his col- you what you should do at that not easy to park cars, so it will be
Blagrove Copse provides some- leagues are trying to achieve at point, for example walking along a conscious decision to explore,"
thing for everybody - keep-fit Blagrove Copse. "We recognised a beam or press-ups. It's entirely he commented, "Families can
fanatics, train-spotters, bird- that, as the site was out of the up to the user to decide how make an adventure of going there,
watchers and those who just like way and rough, we should try to many to do. Some will go at the perhaps for a picnic; joggers can
a walk. exploit these aspects. exercises really hard to get fit; include it as part of a route, and
Soon allotment gardens will "The best way to get there is others might just do one or two youngsters will go off on their
get a look in as well. by using the underpasses - and when they come again might bikes to play football or use the
The site also forms a final link off Bodiam Drive from Toot- manage a few more. After all it's keep fit equipment. If you've
in a long walkway which allows hill, and on the edge of Toothill supposed to be fun! All the equip- arrived there, it means you've
pedestrians and cyclists to travel Park, from the Freshbrook ment is located on a soft bark made an effort to discover what's
from Swindon's old town right side. safety surface and the .more dif- available. I think Blagrove will
out to Lydiard Park without "The site is about three-quarters ficult exercise areas are tucked become more interesting as the
crossing a road. of a mile long and through it away behind bushes so that you years pass, as it matures and
The area was originally farm meanders a shale pathway which can try them without everybody attracts wildlife. I do hope people
fields but after the A420 by-pass is great for joggers, walkers and watching." will enjoy it.
was built in the early nineteen- cyclists. Along the way we have Mindful of possible dangers
closeby, both the road and rail-
enhanced by planting, hedgerows way are fenced and hedged. For
A WANDER ROUND layered to provide a living fence. nature lovers the Blagrove site is
WEST SWINDON * preserved ponds in the most going to be a haven for wildlife.
unlikely places. "In the middle of the site there is
by Bob Pixton *lots of chidren's play areas of a flat mown area for kicking foot-
I am sure that many of you were the most varied and imaginative balls and running around," said
pleasantly surprised when you types available. Ed Stanford, "and there are some
first came to live here at the While in older areas of town picnic tables as well.
amount of 'greenery' there is - I there are undoubtedly loads of "But before you get there we
know I was and that was almost houses with big grass areas the have left patches which will be
seven years ago. I, along with my Western Expansion, I believe, is cut only once a year to encourage
family (wife, two children and a something completely different. wild flowers and insect life and
dog!) have spent many happy It's really lots of greenery with we have planted hundreds of trees S CL.
hours simply wandering about lots of homes in between - the to form small copses. Because
the Western Expansion, chiefly accent's on the 'countryside in there are overhead power lines
in Freshbrook and Grange Park. the town'. our staff will have to practice the
, , *x<"•
How many of you have taken Next time you're going to the ancient art of coppicing which 7/ 0ç ,..
' Trflp.
0
visitors or relatives on walks school, shops or driving to means cutting back the hazel and . '
around the area? Carrefour or town, try counting chestnut every few years before - Frerok.
We were delighted to find that the greenery - I bet you run out they get too tall. These offcuts
the area is littered with:— of numbers. will be sold for broom handles, J I
LILBUk'
* footpaths with generous grass This is the first of a series of fencing or runner bean poles, so
areas on the sides with the orig- articles on interesting walks the land will pay for its manage-
inal hedgerows preserved at the around West Swindon. Contribu- ment. There are also two ponds
edges. tions from readers would be which have been cleaned up and
*soun d barriers with footpaths welcomed. the frogs and newts are breeding
on the top with trees and shrubs For anyone who wants to see ferociously." P.
making it more than a 'mound of the countryside in Freshbrook Wheelchair &
dirt'. and Grange Park and have 21/2 Pram Difficulties
*daffodils and crocus flowers by hours to spare, I shall be giving a Unfortunately, because people
the thousand just brightening up 'residents view' tour of the area with motorbikes are likely to use I
a corner or a patch of grass. on Saturday 20th June starting at it as a rough trail, Blagrove has
*numerous grassy play areas. 2 p.m. from outside our Com- been fenced and gated. Plans are
* comers of streets etc. planted munity Centre. I hope some of in hand to organise keys for Blagrove
with flowering shrubs and trees you can come. people in wheelchairs, but at 0
making it look colourful. • For more information ring Bob present it is difficult for chairs ROAD
*woodland areas preserved, and Pixton on 695317. and prams to visit the site.