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Diary

West Park Meadow is an amenity area owned by New Forest District Council and managed by Damerham Parish Council as a community meadow and orchard. You can see a plan with details of how to access the Meadow here.

(picture courtesy of Roger Wilson)

The aims according to the agreed management plan drawn up in 2004 are:

• To improve the site for wildlife
• To encourage access for local people in an attractive open area
• To involve local people as much as possible in developing and looking after the area
• To keep the area well-managed as a semi-informal meadow
• To improve the area by reducing nettles and other invasive plants and to plant apple trees (using old-fashioned varieties) and native shrubs
• To provide seating and interpretation signs

Progress to date:

• Mowing has been carried out to control rank grass and invasive plants
• Pathways have been created and maintained to give good access
• Local volunteers have carried out work parties, initially to clear up the area and then to plant trees and shrubs, control weeds and carry out general maintenance.
• Apple trees were planted in 2004 with some later additions
• Some native flowers have been planted
• Moth trapping evenings have been held each year

The Future

Careful mowing will encourage the development of a varied structure

in the grassland. There is no longer a rich seed source for re-colonising

plants and we will continue to help things along by planting a variety of native species into the meadow. 

The native scrub and trees and the meadow plants will provide food and habitat for a wide variety of insects and hopefully many of these will find there way here from the few remaining herb-rich meadows in the area.

Involving the community

The meadow is ideally place for people to take part in managing it and in enjoying it.

Regular work parties are needed to carry out weeding, planting of new species, clearing up after contractors etc.

Children can be encouraged to use the area to investigate the wildlife. The stream is ideal for “pond dipping” and the grassland for looking at insect life.

Regular mowing of some areas will maintain picnicking areas as well as the longer grass needed for wildlife.

Fruit trees of West Park Meadow Orchard

Planted November 2004:

Beauty of Bath

Early eater (Aug). Small yellow fruit mottled orange and scarlet. Hails from Bailbrook nr Bath. Introduced by Mr Cooling of Bath in 1864. Good early eater. Pleasantly sharp, sweet and juicy.

Blenheim Orange

Raised in about 1740 by a Taylor George Kempster in his garden in Manor Road Old Woodstock nr the grounds of Blenheim Park. It was a local landmark and people came by the coach loads to look at the tree. Known as Kempsters Pippin until 1811. .

A distinctive nutty flavour, excellent for making 'apple charlotte' Greenish yellow streaked with red. Cooker and eater, ready Dec -Feb. Becomes a large tree.

Egremont Russet

Raised by Lord Egremont in the 1870s at Petworth, Sussex.Classic russet,

ready Oct –Nov

Laxton's Superb

Cross between Wiken Pippin and Coxes Orange Pippin. Raised by the Laxton brothers

in 1897. Eater

Reverend W Wilks

Named after the vicar of Shirley in Surrey, who was secretary of the RHS between 1888 and 1919. Raised by the famous Veitch nurseries at Kings Road Chelsea in 1904 from a Ribston Pippin and Peasgood's Nonsuch. Fruits large up to 21bs each. Flesh creamy white, ready in Sept.

Worcester Pearmain

Originated at Swan Poole nr Worcester about 1870 by Mr Hale from a pip taken from a Devonshire quarry and introduced commercially in 1873 by Mrs Smith.

Red skin and white flesh a good apple for sorbets. Ready Aug/Sept

Planted April 2005:

Ashmead's Kernel

Raised by Dr. Ashmead in the 17005 .One of the finest aromatic flavoured apples with a sweet -sharp taste, reminiscent of fruit drops. Late eater (Nov -Feb )

Apple -The Tree of Love

Customs:

In Devon, a farmer and his family would go to the orchard after supper bearing cider and cakes. The cakes were placed in the boughs of the oldest and best trees, and cider was poured on the trees as a libation. Roasted apples were floated in the cider, and were given to the trees with the libation. Trees which were poor bearers were not honoured with the drink. After thanking the trees and offering a toast to their health, the farmers would solicit the trees to continue to produce abundantly. Those standing by would cheer and make noise with noisemakers.

To the Native Americans, the apple tree is a symbol of honour. They respect it as a being who provides food, living places, and medicine for many living creatures. Dependable and not too demanding, it leaves enough sunlight for other creatures and plants to grow.

Herbal uses:

Apples are truly a way to "keep the doctor away". They contain magnesium, iron, potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamins C, 8, and 82. Apples are rich in phosphates, thegreat tissue builders of the body, each of.which carries four atoms of oxygen. Oxygen is a great purifier, cleanser, vitalizer, antiseptic, neutralizer of acids, disinfectant and stimulant to the heart, nerves and brain. Apples benefit the liver and aid digestion. Their sugar passes easily into the blood stream so they are a good source of quick, clean energy. There is evidence that eating a ripe apple at night can ease insomnia -probably because of the cleansing effects on the liver and bowel.

Baked apples are used as a poultice for sore throats, fevers, and inflammations. Apple sauce left out overnight and eaten the next day replenishes intestinal flora. This is especially useful after a round of antibiotics which are known to destroy the 'good bugs' along with the 'bad' in the intestinal tract.

A study at Michigan State University found that students who ate two apples a day had fewer tensions, headaches, and emotional upsets by a twelve to one ratio, than those who ate none.

One part apple cider vinegar mixed with one part water is useful as a face rinse and helps to restore blemished skin. This can also be used as a hair rinse that will promote the proper pH of the hair and scalp.

Apple cider or natural unpasteurized apple juice blended with celery, beetroot and carrot juices benefits skin problems, can aid in weight loss programs, and can clear catarrh from the lungs.

Magical Uses:

Apple wood was traditionally used to make wands for love magic. Apple peel can be dried and placed in sachets to attract love, while the fruit itself can be eaten to ensure fertility.

Two simple spells keep your love warm: Cut an apple in half and share it with your lover, or hold an apple until it is warm and hand it to your intended partner. If they eat it, your love will be returned.

Unicorns are fond of apples. Enter an apple orchard on a misty day and perhaps you will see one !