St. Mary's Church, Chessington, Hedge Repair, Saturday March 1st, 2014

A rare event was witnessed on March 1st, the sun shone. So, it was appropriate that a group of enthusiastic volunteers from St. Mary's Church in Chessington turned out to help repair the hedge around the old graveyard. Hazel poles and binders had been previously harvested from the adjacent Churchfields Recreation Ground, and these were used in a traditional fashion by creating hazel hurdles to plug gaps in the hedge. Hazel is much more flexible than the sycamore we used previously, so the results were rather satisfying. As well as plugging the gaps with hurdles, hawthorn and blackthorn whips were planted, and a few select hawthorn and elm were laid to reinforce the natural fencing, and to deter hurdlers. The whips will eventually grow up and replace the fencing which will rot away after a few years.

St. Mary's Church bathed in sunlight behind a repaired section of hedge.  

The St. Mary's Team enjoy the sunshine and the satisfaction of a job well done. 

Another local resident admires the newly created hazel hurdle. 

Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) flowers open in the sunshine. 

A native five-spot ladybird also enjoys the warmth of the sun. 

An interesting and curious occupant. Sir Monier Monier-Williams, a Victorian academic, born in Bombay, died in Cannes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monier_Monier-Williams).

Another interesting memorial to George Masters Emery, son of Michael and Maria Louisa Emery, of Lancers Cottages, Colgate, Horsham. Possibly killed at the Battle of Verdun.(http://www.britishpathe.com/video/verdun-battle-scenes/query/weapons - Warning: Unpleasant images of Verdun. A far cry from the peace and tranquillity of St. Mary's Churchyard).

Meanwhile, at the neighbouring Churchfields Recreation Ground, the trees planted in November 2012 are just awaking from dormancy, with buds of hazel beginning to appear. Even the longer course grass provides additional wildlife habitat, compared the bowling green style next to it.