This Sunday volunteers swapped rakes and forks for loppers and saws and set to on the overgrown area of Vale Close to restore the viewing point across the Bowl.

Hundreds of saplings needed to be cleared but, as each layer was cut back, we gradually saw the Bowl beyond reveal itself and this spurred us on until eventually we cut through to the bottom of the bank. Seeing the view and the sunshine breaking through was a great reward; and next year we look forward to seeing butterflies and other pollinators attracted here by the plants that will be able to grow and thrive.

We’ve some more work to do both here and across the road (to open up the view from the Park to the Bowl) so we’ll return again this month. Details of what,when and where can be found on our Events page. Then it’s just a case of returning annually to keep it maintained.

Below are some ‘before’, ‘during’ and ‘after’ images (click to enlarge)… although the ‘after’ pictures really don’t capture the view in all its glory so, if you can, take a look for yourself.

PS.  We should not forget too the determined volunteers who each Sunday, and during the week, continue to pull the late flowering balsam plants from the lower section of the Park and along Vale Close. Thank you!