Below right, agricultural expert Stewart Parrington, ardent and long-serving volunteer on the meadow, has been active this week mowing the long grass in line with the above plan. The cutting seeks to preserve the spider habitat whilst continuing the battle against the coarser weeds and grasses. A team is being assembled to deal with the moles and rabbits that make certain areas dangerous to walk over.

Other pictures show that there are still plums awaiting picking and the meadow boasts many other fruits including one of the prettiest hawthorns you will ever see. Having keen enthusiasts one can rely upon to do something each week in the main seasons is essential to the vitality of the meadow .

Pictures by Graham Burgess