We are a small group of volunteers. A few of the volunteers had previously worked on the bank. We meet most weeks for 2 hours, weather permitting. There is no specific time commitments and volunteers give what time they can spare. We have a WhatsApp group and post when we are planning to work on the bank. There is no requirement for any horticultural knowledge; some dig, some prune/weed, so there is work for all abilities. We are always looking for more volunteers and if you would like more information, please contact Lynn lynnbatson62@gmail.com
Funding – We were successful in bidding for some monies from GWR. The Furry Dance Committee has also generously donated a £100 voucher for Kings. We intend to use the voucher to buy annuals, which will be in bloom for the Furry Dance.
Aim – To provide an attractive and manageable feature for residents and visitors to the village, which provides a suitable environment for pollinators.
Progress to date – We started in May 2024. Much of the bank had been planted several years ago but with a decline in volunteers and following Covid, it had become overgrown. Shrubs had become woody and brambles and nettles had pretty much taken over. There was also a lot of rubbish hidden by the brambles. We began by clearing nettles to prevent being stung! We then moved onto the brambles with numerous trailer loads of very thick and thorny stems being taken to the dump. Ivy and other weeds were then the next, and once the ground was relatively clear, we started digging up the bramble roots, some of which were as thick as my arm. We know we haven’t got them all and it will be an ongoing battle! We have laid a ‘pebble bed’ on the lower level. This will be planted with Erigeron, Ajuga and other creepers to soften the edges and again, hopefully suppress the weeds. In hindsight, it may have been better to lay the bed after we had completed work on the higher levels, because some of the bed has been dislodged and needs tidying.
We have created a pathway to enable us to access the top of the bank for maintenance. This is being laid with scallop shells, provided by Devon Fish. Whilst clearing the top end of the bank near the bike racks, we discovered the old station steps and an edging wall. GWR agreed to pay to have the area in front of the steps tarmacked, which has tided the area and given a clear boundary. We have planted 200+ bulbs and it is lovely to see them in bloom. There were also lots of bulbs already planted but they had become overshadowed by the brambles. Sadly sometime between 19 – 23 March a large amount of tulip bulbs that would have flowered in the coming weeks were stolen. Definitely human & not an animal. We have had some perennials and bulbs donated following adverts in the Lympstone Herald, which we have planted. We have also planted several shrubs, mainly Viburnam Tinus & Pittisporum.. The grass bed is partially planted with a mixture of grasses including Pheasant, Misanthus & Festuca. When complete, it will be interspersed with crocosmia and verbena bonariensis.
Thank you to everyone who has donated bulbs and plants. Also we are very grateful to Dartmoor Trees in Woodbury, who have provided us with free wood chippings. We have spread approximately 50 trugs so far. Finally, thank you to everyone who takes the time to stop and talk to us while we are working – it really helps to keep us going!
