PUBLIC PLACES


Lord Hertford, owner of Ragley Hall


There are many mature trees in the gardens, the oldest pre-dating the ‘new’ Hall


Ground preparations have to be completed well in


”


advance for handover to the event organisers - for a major event such as the Game Fair, contractors can be onsite for a total of twelve weeks


Uncovered original documents and new technology have been married in a project to replant trees in their original positions - original maps are overlaid onto modern maps and GPS positioning used to site the trees precisely.


The project was close to the 8th Marquess’s heart and a large number of sixty-year-old trees planted to commemorate his heir’s birth are thriving in the parkland; many are cherry, providing a welcome harbinger of spring.


The original trees are said to be part of the ancient Forest of Arden, and the estate has one person dedicated to tree care. “There are 1200 acres of woodland, some of which is commercial and some managed for forestry but, on the parkland, we always have to consider safety, especially with the older oaks,” comments Hamish. Reinstating the original cleft oak deer fence is also ongoing, although this may not have found favour in the past - local legend


suggests that, due to a lack of interest in deer farming during World War I, the estate’s herd were turned loose in the local countryside! Grass exhibition areas, campsites and car


parks for events such as the APF and Grassland and Muck events are effectively grown as a ‘crop’. “After the APF show, we ploughed up the show site ready for a crop of wheat to be drilled. Any damage is less of an issue long term as the grass is only down for a year and you then get the opportunity to ‘press the reset button’.”


Farm equipment is used to establish the grass, but seed is double drilled or broadcast behind a cultivator to avoid emergence in rows. “We use our Vaderstad drill with the back end lifted out and blow the seed on to spread it using a Stocks broadcaster,” explains Hamish.


Husbandry of these areas is a nifty mix of


The estate’s commercial woodland is used for demonstrations of working machinery


110 PC October/November 2018


The rose garden at its most glorious in mid-summer


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