It’s always nice to embark on new projects, but, after thirteen years of volunteer working parties, it’s inevitable that we have to retrace our steps sometimes. January was one such occasion, returning to the South Walk to keep on top of our successful “Lifting the Curtain” project from ten years ago. The original ambition of this was to restore views back towards Kings Weston house from one of the most popular and historic walking circuits, as well as “haloing” around some of the mature avenue trees planted along it.

Surprisingly, after a decade of growth, not more of the views had been lost again, but, in summer months, there has been some clear decline. January’s work sought to clear through the whole of the area again, clipping the self-seeded saplings and undergrowth to maintain the important views trough the trees to the house and lawns beyond. Thinning of some of the corpses, and areas around a venerable horse chestnut have also allowed better visual connection between these areas.

Unlike the seven months the original project took us, we were able to pass through most of the area in a day. Cut wood has been laid in habitat piles discretely spotted around. This month will also see a mix of returning to keep on top of cherry laurels close to the echo, along with some pushing-back of taller specimens.