Corporate Volunteers Create a New Hedge

On November 23rd a group of 17 willing volunteers from Marsh Insurance descended on a new collaboration with a local landowner to kickstart a project to improve a ten-acre site in the Upper Bure Valley for the benefit of wildlife. Glorious sunshine shone on us as we planted more than 800 saplings to create a new hedgerow, comprised of native species – Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Guelder Rose, Rowan, English Dogwood, Holly, Crab Apple, Hornbeam and Hazel – interspersed with climbers – Dog Rose, Honeysuckle and Old Man’s Beard – to create a dense hedge ideal for nesting birds.

After a break for lunch the group moved on to West Beckham Old Allotments, where they cleared around saplings that we have planted in previous years. This reduces the competition for water and light, helping the young trees to flourish. A few more whips were planted to fill in gaps in our existing planting, alongside a new copse in the western part of the site, where we are hoping to attract Turtle Doves to breed.

The volunteers worked really hard, but there was also a lot of chatter and laughter, and the manual labour was lubricated with cups of tea or coffee and the obligatory jam doughnuts.

A huge thank you to the magnificent Marsh volunteers!