Main Drive (before)
Sunday 29 July 2012
It was a shock to the system to be asked to arrive at Wightwick Manor at 9am. But the reason soon became clear. A mammoth task – to cut down laurel hedges on the main drive between the House and the newly opened Manders’ Tearoom. Starting so early, and with an excellent turnout, we were soon making a difference, with one large hedge and a huge holly tree out of the way before the property opened to the public.
The ‘cuttings’ were cleared as they were cut, keeping the site as tidy as possible. They were dragged down the drive past the front door and thrown over a yew hedge. From there they were either loaded onto the trailer, or dragged down to the bonfire site where, by the end of the day everything had been cleared and burnt.
Once the roots have been dug out, turf will be laid and new beds will be developed. One possibility is that roses from Alfred Parson’s original design can be reintroduced.
Main Drive (after)
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 