POST

The tenant Farmer at Cliffords Meadow who is grazing cattle and sheep, has recently caught trespassers pushing through the hedgerows and creating gaps in the stock fencing. Some of the trespassers have even let their dogs near the sheep, which is a serious concern for the livestock.

The tenant Farmer has spent a significant amount of time and money on trying to repair the damage caused and often has to retrieve the cattle and sheep from nearby streets as they have gone through the gaps.

The Parish Council is in contact with Natural England, the Land Agent and the tenant Farmer signposting potential grant funding information and improvements to secure the area.

The Council has commenced its Autumn and Winter Shrub & Hedge maintenance programme.

Abbey Meads has been completed and the team is now working in Haydon Wick, Greenmeadow and Moredon area moving on to Haydon End and Oakhurst in the near future. These operations are being carried out by the Council’s direct labour force, who are working on an enhanced specification; this involves a substantial reduction of shrubs and hedgerows where possible.

This method of maintenance leads to more controllable re-growth, improved maintenance leading to less litter, less likelihood of structural damage to property and less potential for vermin to inhabit these areas.

The feedback from residents has been fantastic and is keeping up the staff morale as they continue through the programme.