Page 38 - link magazine

38 swindonlink.com • December 2009
Historic trees pollarded in Shaw Eco club unveils fi tness trail

The iconic poplar trees at Lower Shaw Farm opposite Brook Field The eco-club at Brook Field Primary School marked its fi rst anniver-
Primary School have fi nally had to be cut back to less than half their sary in late October by unveiling a new trim trail in the playground.
height as they were becoming dangerously top heavy.
Farm resident Andrea
Hirsch-Holland admitted
that it is rather sad to see
them being cut back as they
are such a feature of the area.
“It’s better for the trees in
the long run, as it increases
their life-span. Pollarding
is a north Wiltshire tradi-
tion; it’s good to see the
process happening here on
the farm.”
There are four poplar
trees on the site, three of
which have been pollarded Eco-club members on the trim trail which is so busy that children have to be timetabled
and one which has been when they can use it to prevent overcrowding
trimmed. “It took three days Club members are working hard to ensure awareness of climate change
per tree, so it was quite a job and the importance of saving energy is embedded in the school so that
for the tree climbers,” said it will qualify for gold eco-school status.
Andrea. Children and parents took part in a walk to school week, promoted
Andrea’s son Jake said ‘switch-off fortnight’ in November and gave the Christmas fair a green
the trees had been in the theme. Cycle to school maps are being drawn for each class, and the school
West Swindon landscape will learn about Water Aid in January and hold a big tidy-up in February.
for nearly a century. “Poplar Organising teacher Rachel Bartlett spent half term at the Centre for
wood is the best sort for Alternative Technology in Wales picking up ideas and learning how to
making matches as it burns develop innovative educational eco-activities at the school.
readily.
“In the early 20th Cen-
tury the match company Bryant It isn’t known whether the com- Taw Valley Halt - here we come
& May gave local farmers poplar pany ever did come back to reclaim
trees to grow, with the intention of their wood from this area’s poplar The Swindon and Cricklade Railway Society has started to relay over a
buying back the wood for match trees. Could anybody shed any mile of track from Blunsdon to Moulden Hill so that it can be opened to
production.” light on this? the public in early 2011, to mark the fi ftieth anniversary of the closure
of the Midland & South Western Junction Railway and the 175th year
Get fi t and have some fun cutting down trees since the start of the GWR.

Some trees grow better and last longer if they are regularly cut using
traditional woodland management techniques.
The Peatmoor Community Woodland Group meets on the fi rst Sunday
of the month, 10am to 1pm, to manage Peatmoor Copse by the lagoon.
Coppicing the trees also encourages a wide variety of bird, mammal
and insect life.
New volunteers are always needed to participate in the group. Mince
pies will be on offer to anybody who joins in on 6 December. Children
are welcome but have to be accompanied by an adult.
For details call Roger Ogle on 608840 or mail: [email protected]

KUDOS FENCING Dave Peacey with railway volunteer Chris Reynolds and sleepers

ready to be laid under the track down to Moulden Hill
The station will be called Taw form the engine shed into a fantastic
Bespoke Gates • Full Range of Fencing Valley Halt and will be a temporary grotto. And every child receives a
• Repairs/Refurbishment structure until funds are available quality Christmas present.
• All Pressure Treated to construct a permanent station as “With the steady expansion of
Timber part of the facilities at Moulden Hill. our catering and hospitality facili-
• Family Business Since When complete the steam rail- ties, private events at the railway
1983 way will be able to offer a six mile are becoming increasingly popular,
• Cash and Carry round trip. and this festive season we’re also
Supply Service In the meantime the society will offering a special Christmas menu
Strong Durable Fencing • Help and Advice on be running Santa specials from in our licensed restaurant.”
all Fencing Matters Blunsdon Station every weekend Whilst new rails are being laid
until Christmas from 11am to 4pm, towards Moulden Hill Dave is ap-
NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! NEW! www.kudosfencing.comww.kudosfencing.comww.kudosfencing.com NEW! and special night journeys on Sat- pealing for people not to trespass
KUDOS FENCING
urday 12 December between 6pm on the railway line which is not a
ONLINE SHOP @
and 8pm.
right of way.
“We’ve been running the Christ-
Volunteers are needed to ensure
w w
mas Santa Special for nearly a the railway can expand and cater
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
NEW!
Free Estimate on 01793 855800 decade,” said society trustee and for more people. To help mail the
building and works manager Dave membership secretary: marygra@
Unit 23 & 24, Oaklands Ind. Est., Braydon, Swindon Peacey. “We deck the carriages with talktalk.net
Christmas decorations and trans- www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org
21-52 December 09.indd 38 19/11/2009 11:20