Before the clearance
Thanks to the persistence of members of the East Bridgford Wildlife and Biodiversity Group the bramble and scrub that has overgrown the ancient meadow that runs parallel to the A6097 on the west side of the village has been cleared.
This narrow meadow that is owned by Southwell Diocese of the Church of England overlies part of Bridgford Street, a Roman route from Fosse Way to a crossing of the River Trent at Gunthorpe.
This meadow has been unmanaged for several years and was in danger of disappearing under the vigorous growth of bramble and blackthorn that was even threatening the bridleway that runs through the site. The field has been cleared of encroaching vegetation by Nottinghamshire County Council and we look forward to see regeneration of meadow plants next spring and summer when further management will be required.
After the clearance
At the moment the treatment may appear to be rather drastic since there is much vegetation debris and some rubbish remaining on the site but this will be dealt with over coming months. The bridleway can now be reinstated along its proper route by the hedge near to the A6097 that should also be re-invigorated by removal of the dense scrub that was destroying it as a boundary feature. The hedgerows will also require on-going management to improve their quality and restore them.
A botanical survey revealed 30 species of plants in the meadow and surrounding hedges and it is expected that this number will increase now that proper management of the site has commenced.
For more information please email info@eastbridgfordwildlife.org.uk.