MILLENNIUM GREEN (St Marychurch )
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The action group was devastated in 2006 by the loss of St Marychurch & District Action group’s Vice Chairman Roger Mann. His horticultural and wildlife knowledge was the backbone of the group. All who worked alongside him miss his generosity, humour and calmness.
In 2006 a commemorative Oak Tree was planted on the Millennium Green in memory of Roger. A plaque is now in front of the tree.
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Celebrate the Millennium.
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In 1999, the St Marychurch & District Action Group put forward a proposal to Torbay Council to adopt a strip of land alongside the St Marychurch bypass to mark the celebration of the millennium. Due to fly tipping and neglect, it had become an eyesore. The proposal to enhance the area and protect it from future development. The outcome of public meetings and suggestions the land should be designated as a woodland conservation area.
Torbay Council landowners and the action group produced a landscape plan. Public support plus an influx of donations enabled the project to commence.
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The Millennium Green a community inspired wildlife and conservation project began in January 2000. Over thirty sacks of rubbish removed and either recycled or safely disposed at civic amenity sites. Large quantities of earth moved and a massive millennium commemoration stone transported to the site and placed in a prominent position.
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Upon completion of the basic groundwork, local boy scouts and volunteers planted one hundred native trees and shrubs.
Species planted were Oak, Ash, Field Maple, Wayfarer, Spindle, Hawthorn, Common Privet, Wild Rose, Holly and Gorse. The trees were then under planted with wildflowers and thousands of daffodil and crocus bulbs donated by Suttons Seeds Torbay.
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GPS Fencing Contractors constructed timber fences and two timber-kissing gates on the outer perimeter of the green by St Marychurch Bypass another by Chilcote Car Park and a fence and gate at the Chilcote Close footpath entrance. The council laid a tarmac path across the green to provide access from the car park to the bypass and vice versa. Members from the Quinta Road Allotment Holders and action group volunteers moved ten tons of gravel via wheelbarrows to lay a path from Chilcote Car Park leading to the Chilcote Close gate.
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Later in 2003 GPS Fencing Contractors opened up a section of the roadside fence and constructed an additional gate for the disabled and new fence along a path built by youths from Dartington Tech.
Teams of these young people cleared, levelled and compacted the disabled access pathway.
Dartington Article.
We were introduced to this project through 'Life Skills' at Dartington Tech. The project was to create a path for elderly and disabled to make their trips easy to get from place to place. We were determined to finish this project in one day we succeeded. None of the six lads working had any experience at this kind of project, which made the task more of a challenge. The most tedious part was transporting the gravel in wheelbarrows to and from the path. When we completed it we were proud and pleased to have completed it and helped the community'.
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Thanks to the young people from 'Lifeskills' (now called e2e)) Dartington Tech for their help in the autumn of 2003 a pleasure to work with them. Their youthful high spirits and jovial banter during the two days of working in very hot weather encouraged us all to complete the job.
An elderly woman previously walked through the Millennium Green unexpectedly returned with a carrier bag of soft drinks she had purchased. She was impressed with the young people and their contribution to the community.
Improvements to the green continue. A refurbished park bench placed on the vista overlooking the green and three wooden benches made by a local craftsman sited at various locations. Two Braille signs and wooden direction signs pointing to the local amenities fitted on the kissing gates.
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Bird nest boxes are in position more to be positioned later. Treated timber, framed interpretation board constructed and positioned near the main gate ( St Marychurch Bypass side ) and a commemorative plaque attached to the Millennium Stone.
Convolvulus in certain areas was a problem selective weed killing and manual removal of this invasive weed is beginning to have an effect and with natures help gradually eradicated. As the woodland matures, the plants below the trees are beginning to be an effective method of self-control. The group’s policy is to keep the use of chemicals to the bare minimum, as manual weeding is preferable.
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We are extremely grateful to ‘Plandscape,’ landscaping and grounds contractors. We appreciate there support, advice and frequent assistance with their heavy-duty equipment in our projects an invaluable contribution. Greg, Darren, and Tony of 'Plandscape' Thanks fellers!
Although the basics of the project were completed within six months, it will take many years of careful management and maintenance to fully establish.
Efficient management helps to maintain a healthy food chain for the wildlife that forage breed and find refuge in this environment.
We have asked many people for their opinions as during certain times of the year it gives the impression of being unkempt and unmanaged. Cutting back vegetation especially during the nesting season would disturbed the wildlife that inhabit this nature reserve. A majority agree it is important to attract insects into the area for the birds to feed upon.
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Birds, frogs, toads, newts, field mice, slow worms and insects are now regular inhabitants and sightings of foxes, badgers, owls, and pipistrelle bats.
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Various hedging plants have been planted this year ( 2008 ) similar to those planted in 2001. These will screen the compost area near the SWEB sub-station and also provide an additional wildlife corridor. More were also planted alongside the fence facing the flats to improve the visual aspect.
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Adjacent to the Millennium Green is the Chilcote car park close to the popular shopping precinct. The action group is improving the visual appearance of this important local amenity. Approximately two thousand daffodil bulbs planted and overgrown areas cleared. These combined with the thousands of bulbs planted on the Millennium Green part of the groups extensive bulb-planting programme.
Hedging
1. Common Privet ( Ligustrum Vulgare ) Privet belongs to the olive family Oleaceae.
2. Wild Rose ( Rosa Canina ) Stems have hooked prickles upper side of the leaf dark green underside much lighter colour leaves have a pleasant aroma flowers bright pink and sweet scented hips used for the vitamin C content during the war.
3. Field Maple ( Acer Campestre ) Only British native species of maple often just used as a hedgerow bush its ribbed bark and corky twigs make it easily recognized small hanging clusters of nectar flowers.
4. Spindle Tree ( Euonymus europaeus ) Native spindle tree hardwood shrub formerly used in making spindles brightly coloured fruits appears in autumn.
5. Hawthorn ( Crataegus Oxyacatha ) Dense sharp thorn branches white clusters of flowers borne in May leaves change to scarlet, bronze-red, or yellow before they shed.
6. Wayfarer Tree ( Viburnum Lantana ) Wayfaring tree or hobblebush of the honeysuckle family flowers white with deep red autumn foliage.
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The Millennium Green widely acknowledged as a tremendous improvement in St Marychurch visually and environmentally.
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