Map of uncultivated areas
To the right is a map of significant uncultivated areas that are beneficial to wildlife and which may also benefit from management and improvement. For further clarification of these areas, please see the accompanying map
1. Spragglesea Mead Plane Trees (from plane trees to shed)
This area includes the composting bins, rotting wood pile, nettles and elderflower. It is dominated by the two old very large plane trees which give shade for six months of the year. There are other smaller trees, ash, hawthorn, elder, and a large fruiting cherry tree. The compost bins managed by the Association are kept in this area. The area round the shed has bamboos and from the shed to the gate is shrubbery and planted flowers.
2. Spragglesea Mead Native Hedgerow (alongside park from gate to stream)
This is a planted hedgerow of native species, Buckthorn, Wild Rose, Hawthorn, Spindle, Ivy etc. There are two Golden Ash in the park which overshadow this area.
3. Spragglesea Mead Mixed Tree Bank (alongside Eastwyke ditch, the stream on the East side from the park to the dry water course)
A variety of trees grow along this boundary – Willow, Oak, Ash, Walnut, Hazel, Hawthorn etc.
4. Dry Water Course (wildlife corridor) See Photo
There are two sections of this water course, separated by the concrete bridge. Both sections are getting heavily overgrown and are difficult to access. Around the bridge itself the banks are dominated by bamboo, especially on the Dean’s Ham West side. The Western end is heavily overgrown with nettles, brambles, comfrey and trees on both sides. The Eastern end has a good variety of bushes, shrubs and trees, some recently planted.
5. Deans Ham Woodland Area (on the East alongside the stream)
This is the largest area of uncultivated land on the site. Mostly Hawthorn, some quite mature, creating a dense canopy. One tree on the Southern edge has mistletoe growing on it. The undergrowth is mostly brambles and nettles.
A path runs through the woodland, and children use parts of it as a playground. The area is subject to deep flooding in winter, although there have been some dry years, most recently last winter.
6. Bees A small area bordering the stream and protected mostly by bramble, comfrey and stacked tree branches. It contains two active bee hives.
7. Woodland behind tanks
A relatively small area mostly of willow and bamboo, but contains one area sown with wild flowers.
8. Stream bank (East side)
Willow trees followed by a small grassy area.
9. Deans Ham Point Wilderness
A triangular area at the northern extremity, mostly overgrown with nettles, brambles and meadowsweet. A section of it on a raised bed was at one time cultivated. There are some trees, including a planted quince. It is difficult to access but there is an overgrown path through to the quince tree.
10. Deans Ham Bramble Boundary (on West alongside railway from the Wilderness to the shed)
Parts of this are cultivated and have espalier fruit trees against the fence. It adjoins the scrubland and woody area which borders the railway line.
11. Deans Ham Amenity Area
This includes what was formerly Plot 6a, as well as the bonfire pile, used for burning material mostly originating from the park. The pathways which used to run to it are getting badly overgrown. The area under the trees is rather neglected and wilderness is encroaching on what used to be grassy amenity space. The whole area adjoins a triangular patch of woodland on the other side of the fence, a copse belonging to Network Rail which separates the allotments from the railway line.
12. Lakeside boundary
This is mostly cultivated on the allotment side. It has grasses and bushes on the other side of the fence where there is a sloping bank which goes down to the lake.