Aston Le Walls

Information about Aston Le Wall’s very own nature reserve at the Pocket Park

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<!–[if !vml]–><!–[endif]–>The idea for Daisy Bank Pocket Park was conceived 17 years ago in 1992. Pocket Parks had been invented a year or two before by an enlightened member of Northamptonshire County Council as an environmentally sound way of communities using small pieces of ‘waste’ land, very often owned by the County Council. Daisy Bank was originally ear-marked for road widening along the Welsh Road but this project was abandoned because of the cost of replacing the disused railway bridge. The use of this piece of land was suggested by Aston Le Walls Parish Council and an open meeting was held in the village hall, hosted by the Parish Council and the Northamptonshire Pocket Parks officer to introduce the concept and to encourage the formation of a Management Group to take on the development of the land. As there was sufficient interest, the Parish Council took on a 21 year lease for the land. Those people expressing an interest in the project were invited to attend a site meeting at which the structure of the Management Group was finalised. Since this time other members of the community have joined in either by coming to evening discussion meetings and/or by helping with work on the site.

Since that time a lot has been achieved - an impenetrable piece of scrubby woodland leading to an area of rough grazing has been turned into an area of natural interest,somewhere to have a quiet walk, to admire views over the surrounding countryside and to watch the setting sun. Somewhere to take the children to play on the swings, to let off steam and to watch the wildlife in the pond. The park also provides a safer route down the hill from Aston Le Walls towards Lower Boddington.

The initial aim of the project was to establish a footpath through the top wooded area, upper meadow and disused railway embankment, to give access to the public and in particular, to the local village school children, who would then be able to use the area to conduct school projects. A number of trees etc. were removed and trimmed to establish a pathway through previously impenetrable woodland. Following this, approx 110 meters of path was dug out by hand to a depth of 8 inches by 3ft wide. A permeable liner was laid along it’s length and 37 tons of crushed Hornton stone were then spread and rolled to give a durable surface (which unfortunately is now rather overgrown with weeds and grass). A pathway was cut through the upper meadow and seven steps with handrails and a bridge were constructed to enable people to safely descend the railway embankment and cross the drainage ditch at the bottom. This initial phase of the project was completed by the construction of a further path running from the boundary of the village to the entrance of the site, again using Hornton stone. In July 1994 a Grand Opening party was held with a beech tree being planted to commemorate the event.

A year or two later a competition was entered and won with the prize money being used to establish an access to the remaining site from the Welsh Road on the Western side of the railway bridge, thus completing the through way for public access between Aston Le Walls and Lower Boddington avoiding the dangerous portion of the Welsh Road. In May 1995 many members of the community, together with a mini digger and fire service tender constructed the pond following the same line as the monastic fish ponds in neighbouring fields.

There are no more major plans afoot for the Park but there is a continual program of maintenance to keep the park safe and user friendly. Projects undertaken include the planting of trees to replace the dead Elms removed in 2001, surveying of wild life, planting and then laying the new hedge and work to improve the top meadow by clearing nettles and planting wild flower plants appropriate to the site. Picnic benches and swings have been installed and maintained and the bridges have been repaired and cleaned.

The current management Group consists of Sue & Tim Ball, David Germany, Denis Freeman and Andy Hughes. We meet in the park several times a year to undertake routine tasks such as bramble clearing, cutting hedges etc and the paths are mown weekly during the summer by Tim. We really could do with one or two other people up to mowing the paths – regularly would be wonderful but just once or twice between May and September would be really helpful – we have our own ‘pocket park mower’.

Seven keen adult volunteers plus a very enthusiastic five year old had a good morning in the Park on Sunday 14 February 2010. We were able to cut a third of the hedge in the lower meadow which we do every year together with a lot of the brambles around the swings. Coffee and ribena were provided together with chocolate biscuits which were particularly enjoyed by the youngest member of the group. We are hoping to have another session on Sunday 21 February at about 2.30pm to have a go at some more brambles and maybe rake some moss up from the path through the woodland. There will, of course, be plenty of brambles left for blackberries in the Autumn for the birds and the jam makers. We had thought of taking the dingy on the pond to clear some of the excess vegetation but at the time of writing I think it will be too cold!

In a week or so there will be a lovely display of Snowdrops with Primroses to follow. Also look out for ‘Lords and Ladies’ - there are clumps of leaves but no flower spikes yet.

We created a ‘Pixie ring’ last Spring at the request of the reception class teacher at the local primary school and I believe it was well used all through the year. In fact, the Park provides a very valuable resource for the school enabling it to gain ‘Forest School’ status. 

As always, suggestions for ways to improve the park and offers of help will always be gratefully received.

Last August we held a Bat Walk in to celebrate European Bat Weekend. This event was led by Heather Ball who works for The Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust. This was great fun, involving various members of the community standing under street lights in the gathering gloom peering up into the sky trying not to look too conspicuous. We hope to repeat this event this year. Follow the link for further information. http://www.bats.org.uk/euro_bat_weekend.php

Please contact Sue & Tim Ball on 01295 660489. Also involved are Denis Freeman, Andi Hughes and David Germany