Changes in paths at Long Meadow
We have recently made a few minor changes to the Long Meadow paths to protect the flora and visitors.
On the main path at the village end of the Meadow we have made a small realignment where the path approaches The Brook. Over the past year (especially in the summer when it was very dry) the path migrated towards the middle of the Meadow as walkers cut the corner. Currently the middle of the Meadow has much richer flora than in this corner, so we have pushed the path back closer to the corner.
Over the winter a new path has appeared at the west end of the Meadow following the boundary of last summer’s hay cut. This runs at a slight angle to the existing path heading towards the “Trixie's Meadow” signboard. As the existing path is in a good condition, we encourage visitors to stick with this and to allow the meadow flowers and grasses under the new path to recover. We have therefore roped off the ends of this new path.
We recently had a tree specialist inspect a couple of horse chestnuts which we had concerns about. Some tree surgery seems necessary – we are still working on the details. However, there is a particularly large bough in the horse chestnut opposite Pease Way which is of particular concern. The path under this horizontal bough has been blocked off and explanatory notices erected.
Finally, we have had a long-term plan to move entrances away from the trees to reduce the impact of trampling on the trees’ health. Prompted by the tree specialist’s comments we have created a new entrance midway between Pease Way and Melvin Way with a path that avoids running under the canopies of the trees on either side.
