Bolnore CIC: April Update

By Chris Belton

As part of our landscaping work, a number of trees and shrubs have been ‘coppiced’.

As a non-gardener, this was a term I had heard but not fully understood until I saw the outcome from the work this time last year.

It did look as if the trees and shrubs had been reduced to just a few stubs and looked all set to die off. But come the spring and early summer they were beginning to grow. 

The Royal Horticultural Society, who must be the experts in the matter, define coppicing as ‘a pruning technique where a tree or shrub is cut to ground level, resulting in regeneration of new stems from the base. It is commonly used for rejuvenating and renovating old shrubs’. This is, of course, exactly what happened.

The outcome from this year’s activity is much the same and, after several years of neglect by FirstPort, our trees and shrubs will begin to look a lot stronger and sturdier than they have in the past. This can only benefit the plants and at the same time improve the Village.

Whilst on the subject of plants, it is disappointing to see cultivated areas of the Village being ruined by drivers mounting kerbs and planted areas in order to make progress. There is a cost associated with these actions which will fall to residents to cover as our contractors have to make good these areas. I know the streets are not wide and that there are many 90-degree junctions. Is it really that difficult or time consuming to give a little ground and stop the destruction of the Village?

Our regular Residents’ Surgeries continue to generate interest with a number of people attending each session. It is an opportunity to discuss specific issues with Pembroke or to ask general questions about the village with the Community Interest Company Directors. The next session is scheduled for 18th June in the evening in order to facilitate meetings with those who cannot make other times. 

If you live in the Village and would like to become a Director of the Community Interest Company please email estate at bolnore.org.uk for more details.

JoJo shop opens new space in Cuckfield

After an official opening last month, Jo Dennis is celebrating her new shop being up and running at 45 High Street, after the move from number 2 after more than nine years.

The premises is considerably bigger and offers a different space layout. Jo can now showcase more than 80 styles of shoes as well as knitting together the Web Shop and boutique showroom. “We are really pleased with our new contemporary look which is spacious and light, giving customers the opportunity to explore the boutique which has a modern and urban feel to it,” Jo explains.

“It has been a terrific team effort from all of the staff (Sarah, Rachel, Geraldine, Mary and Gemma). We have had an army of others who have made it happen. So I personally would like to thank Rachel and Ian for their artistic interpretation and support, Tom, Lee (Small Building Works), John Berterelli and the team from Helme & Hallett, and Phil, who flew in from Singapore to lay the floor!”

Customers have described the boutique as ‘elegant’ and ‘giving space for the clothes and shoes to be seen’. The staff have had so many positive comments saying how much they prefer it.

Jo and the team look forward to being able to host preview evenings and other events at the shop in the future. JoJo Boutique is one of the main stockists for Oui, InWear, PartTwo, PaulGreen shoes and YaYa in Sussex, with collections arriving every week, and is available online or in store, which is open six days a week and welcomes dogs and children in tow.

Creating wildflower gardens in Cuckfield

By Mike Jourdain

It is that time of year that we need to start the process for turning as many pockets of Cuckfield into wildflower sanctuaries. This magazine kindly ran a piece last year (September 2017) about the benefits of having more wildflower areas in the village.

I’m not an expert gardener or anything so if I can do it, anyone can! I simply cleared out a patch of about 12 square metres, put some top soil on it, planted the seeds, watered regularly and waited.

You also do not need a large area to make a big difference. It is something everyone can do - elderly people may need help - but we could have a drive to create wildflower gardens all over Cuckfield. I would happily spearhead a campaign and help anyone who needs it.

As such I have negotiated a discount code from the supplier that I have used in the past. Pictorial Meadows (www.pictorialmeadows.co.uk  or call 0114 2677 635) - have agreed to offer an incentive to this initiative by quoting the reference Cuck18 to get a 10% discount on any orders. 

Last year I used the Annual seed selection packs - mixing all the seeds together.

I have put together the following ‘how-to’ seed-sowing guide but if you would like any more help or have further queries then please email me mikejourdain at hotmail.co.uk - good luck!

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This guide should help you...

Sowing times and Conditions : 

When: Sow in spring as the soil begins to warm up from now until the end of  May

Where: Any open and sunny spot. PM Meadow seed mixes will grow happily in a wide range of garden soils - they DO NOT need to grow in  impoverished soils where the topsoil has been removed. Consider them as any  other flowering garden plant with regard to their growing requirements.  

Ground Preparation :

Weeds: Crucial to the success of the meadow is the cleanliness of the site prior to sowing. You need to achieve a very clean, weed-free seed bed and in  particular you need to ensure that you have removed all the perennial weeds  and any grass. Selective herbicide treatment is recommended but you could  also achieve the same goal through very careful physical weeding. You might have to repeat this 'cleansing' process several times as re-growth of weeds occurs. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when handling herbicide.  

Soil Preparation: By digging over and rotavating the soil you should aim to create a fine tilth for the seed to be sown on to. Remember though that when you dig over the soil you will expose fresh weed seeds so you will have to kill off or remove these weeds prior to sowing.  

Sowing : 

Sowing Rate: Annual meadow mixes should be sown at 3g per square metre.  

Measuring your Plot: To calculate how much seed you will need, measure the length and breadth of your plot and work out the following simple calculation: 

Length (metres) x Breadth (metres) = ? Square Metres x 3 = Required Grams   

How to Sow: Recommended you mix the seed with sharp sand (5 parts sand to l part seed) to help you distribute it evenly over the area - and most importantly to show you where you have sown the seed. You should ensure that the sand and seed is very thoroughly mixed and that you spread across the whole area - preferably by scattering in two different directions.  

It is not recommended using any mechanical seed spreaders to sow our mixes seed as they do not distribute mixed seed sizes evenly.  

Sow the seed/sand mixture on the surface of the fine tilth you have created on the soil. It is important that you do not cover the seeds.  

Rolling & Watering

How: It is very important to lightly firm the seed/sand mixture into the soil. You can use an ordinary garden roller, the back of a spade or simply the weight of your feet to achieve this.  

Water: There is no requirement to irrigate our annual meadows - however some light watering will help to establish the meadow if the weather is very dry following sowing.  

Establishment & Maintenance :

Growth: Germination can take place quite rapidly (within 7 to 10 days) as long as there is sufficient moisture and warmth in the soil.     

Weeding: There will be some incursion of weeds into the meadow during the season but if you have cleaned the soil properly before sowing there shouldn't be an issue with troublesome perennial weeds such as Nettles, Docks and Thistles. Hand weeding the obvious weeds may be necessary but other than that there should no requirement for any form or intervention.  

End of Season: The meadows could flower until November/ December if the weather remains mild. At this point you can clear away the dead and dying stems or if you prefer you can leave them as winter quarters for insects and other wildlife.  

Next Year: It is recommended that if you want to enjoy an annual  Wildflower Meadow you really need to sow a fresh mixture every spring. If you have enjoyed your meadow there will be some re-seeding of some of the species from the mix the following year - however because these are not native wildflowers many seeds will not survive a UK winter so the display will be very poor.