Last November, Heartward welcomed around 25volunteers from the local area for a rewarding work day dedicated to transforming our shared space. Together, we tackled the challenge of removing a patch of well-established brambles, making way for edible forest edging plants. These will not only enhance our landscape but also provide nourishment for years to come.
The day was filled with good-will and camaraderie. Young and old got involved with all the activities. The human bucket chain to transport chip and straw from the bottom of the slope was particularly fun and all the more enjoyable with singing led by our resident choir leader Lizzie Baker. She also baked goodies for the day, along with hot soup to fuel our efforts. Our teamwork brought a wonderful whoosh of energy to the space, giving residents a much needed feeling of accomplishment as well as a heartfelt gratitude that our first steps in Land Stewardship were so well-supported by local folk.
Our hope is that the smaller lesser seen, smaller residents were able to relocate from the bramble hedge to constructed dead hedging areas just behind the cleared area. By covering the exposed earth, we aim to protect our precious topsoil from the winter rains, ensuring a healthier environment for all.
The kids finished off the day with sparklers. It was great to see them enjoying the space freely and getting practice with different tools alongside the adults. Thank you to everyone for all your enthusiasm, hard work and knowledge. We are really looking forward to our next collaboration.