We are delighted to report that the scheme to improve drainage and access at the bottom of the Field – near the  southern Kentmere road entrance – is to go ahead. This project has been a long time in the planning (- it was started before our Chairman fell off a roof, which caused some unexpected delays!). It is only due to the persistence and co-operation of our volunteers and supporting organisations that we are now in a position to go ahead. Thanks to everyone who has helped to date.

A two metre wide path is to be installed, to replace the existing narrow path from Kentmere road.  This path will be extended towards the Notice Board with another path leading towards the woodland walk.

Drains laid at the same time should help to improve the very wet and boggy conditions we always get in autumn and winter.

We hope that the contractor will be on site in July/August and the work will take around a week. We cannot give an exact date as it depends on the contractor’s availability and (of course!) the weather conditions.

Disruption will be kept to a minimum and will be monitored by the City Council. Please be patient! It will be well worth it if, as we expect, access to this rather boggy corner of the Field can be much improved.

This is a Marsh Orchid – you may have seen some on the Field. In fact you may have seen quite a few recently, especially in the area near the bench at the top of the Field.

One of our most dedicated volunteers (Richard Evans) and his partner have  recently done a count of Marsh Orchids on the Field. Last year there were 64. This year, astonishingly, there are 237!

As we have not planted any orchids all this increase must be natural. It is most welcome and they make a rather exotic display.

Please help to protect these lovely flowers by avoiding the areas where they are flourishing, for a week or two. They don’t last very long so enjoy them while they are here.