Get involved in hedgelaying at Trefonen Playing Fields

Local residents young and old will be able to try their hand at the ancient craft of hedgelaying at Trefonen Playing Fields from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 25, Monday 26 November and Saturday 1 December.

The event celebrates the many improvements at the playing field thanks to the efforts of council officers and the local community.

Over the last year Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Recreation Service has been working closely with Trefonen’s Playing Field Association, Trefonen Football Club, Trefonen Primary School, local member Councillor Joyce Barrow and local residents to deliver a series of projects to help enhance the recreational area.

People will be able to get their hands dirty by helping with the completion of the hedge that was started last winter. Hedgelaying is the old method of hedge maintenance and stops the hedge getting gappy at the base allowing livestock through which is often the case with modern tractor flailing. Hedgelaying also improves the hedge for wildlife providing corridors along which species can move.

Joyce Barrow, Shropshire councillor for St Oswald and local resident of Trefonen said:

“Hedgelaying is a fantastic and fun way for us to do something lasting in our local communities. This is a great opportunity to learn the ancient art of hedgelaying. I hope many people will come along to Trefonen’s Playing Fields this weekend. All ages are welcome.

“The playing fields have undergone some fantastic improvements over the last year thanks to the amazing efforts of our local residents, school children and officers.”

Residents young and old are now able to use and enjoy much more of the playing fields with improvements to the football pitch and installation of new footpaths.

Areas around the site have been tidied and opened up and trees, shrubs and wildflowers planted. Bird and bat boxes have been put up around the area with help from Trefonen Primary School pupils. New benches, a new car park and three inspiring sculptures illustrating the story of Trefonen’s industrial heritage have also been installed.

Children coming along to the event will need to be supervised by an adult.

Trefonen Playing Fields were recently designated with the honour of the title of a Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Field. Trefonen is one of 23 dedicated sites across Shropshire accredited with the QEII Jubilee Field status, which was launched to dedicate 2,012 recreational open spaces as Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields by 2012.

For more information about the events contact Shaun Burkey, Community Greenspace Officer (North), Shropshire Council on 01691 624448 or email shaun.burkey@shropshire.gov.uk