Dear Friends,
After long negotiations, it is a great relief and pleasure for me to report that the Council finally gave us permission to plant six mature Downy Birch native trees in the Reserve.
These have now been planted along the boundary with Owlstone Croft to replace the green screen and bat flight path that were lost following the felling of the poplar trees by Queens’ College, and by ash die-back.
The photos attached show some of the locations, and the excellent planting carried out by Mercer Tree Care. It is a great and hopeful start to the regeneration of the green screen.
We were able to fund the purchase and planting of the trees due to your previous generous donations and other fundraising, and we hope to be able to fund some regular watering of the trees by Mercers.
Meanwhile we ask you please to take a bottle of water with you on every walk and water the new trees, especially the two on higher ground. Those down by the ditch will benefit from the high water table there until it dries up in summer; then they too will need frequent watering.
With thanks and best wishes,
Pam Gatrell
Chair of Friends of Paradise
Friends of Paradise Nature Reserve 