New hedge to help wildlife is planted
A new multi-species hedge was planted along the northern boundary of the Carlton Diamond Jubilee Orchard.
The hedge was laid by Clive Matthew, a local champion hedgelayer.
In 2021 Clive came second in the Midland Open Hedgelaying Championship and was also named Best Midland Veteran.
The project is being supported by a 50% grant from the Parish and Community Initiatives Fund of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.
Stuart Tupling, Parish Council Chairman, said: “These works kindly sponsored by the borough council continue the growth and development of this now well established open space area available to all members of the public. ”
Chris Peat, Parish Clerk, added: “Laying will create a dense hedge and provide an excellent wildlife habitat and nesting site for small birds. This will add to the attraction of the orchard, which already contains a bug hotel, amphibian refuges, hedgehog boxes, log piles and native plantings.”
Councillor Martin Cartwright Hinckley and Bosworth Executive Member for Rural Affairs commented: “One of the more unusual grants awarded this year goes back centuries, that being the art of hedge laying. I was kindly invited to see the professionals carry out a small section of this hedge laying by Clive Matthew a champion hedge layer.
“Not so long back I unveiled a bench also at the Carlton Diamond Jubilee Orchard, two great examples of the PCIF grant fund being put to good use.”
“Thank you to Chris and Carlton Parish Council for their warm welcome and gratitude towards receiving their funding this time around”.