SHIRE HORSES used to cut THE HAM AVENUES in 2014 trial
1st – 6th June 2015 & 1st – 4th September 2015
Between 2002 and 2008 the Avenues were comprehensively restored by the Thames Landscape Strategy's London's Arcadia project. This historical landscape was awarded a Grade II* listing by English Heritage in their register of Parks and Gardens.
The Avenues of mainly Lime Tilia trees provide enjoyment for both walkers and cyclists. As well as being a haven for wildlife they also link areas of high biodiversity value. Many will have marvelled at the wonderful sound of bees at work when the flowers of the lime trees are in bloom in June or seen the pipistrelle bats fly down the Avenue corridors of a summer evening at twilight.
London's Arcadia project management plan recommended the re-introduction of horse and cattle as the preferred traditional land management method to manage grass in the Avenues and so the Thames Landscape Strategy has proposed to trial the re-introduction of heavy horses pulling a mow as a sustainable way to manage grass and encroaching bramble along four of the Ham Avenues. These are the Great South Avenue, from Ham Common to the south gates of Ham House; the Petersham Avenue which runs from the east side of Ham House all the way to the Petersham Road; Melancholy Walk alongside the east side of Ham House from the Petersham Avenue towards to the river and the Ham Gate Avenue that runs to Richmond Park.
Thanks to funding for a one-year trial from the Petersham Environment Trust, horse teams of Shire horses and Cleveland Bays – Operation Centaur - from Royal Parks and historic Royal Palaces at Hampton Court will be used to carry out the bi-annual hay cut to the grassland in front of the tree line along the Avenues. The first hay cut will take place after the magnificent cow parsley flower display in the first week of June.
The advantages of using these heavy horses rather than machines are manifold. They limit compaction of sensitive soils and impact on rare flora and can be responsive in avoiding nesting birds and other wildlife. They are of course also low on noise disturbance and have a low carbon footprint – the horses will come from Holly Lodge in Richmond Park each day. Once cut the hay will be turned and raked using the horse team. Initially it will be removed by hand on a flat-bed dray and used for animal food or bedding.
Sir David Attenborough is the Patron of the Thames Landscape Strategy
We need your help! When the horses are working volunteers are needed to help inform dog walkers to keep their animals on a lead during cutting periods and help is also need to bail the hay and load the hay wain.
Come and meet the horses! Please contact Jason Debney at the Thames Landcaspe Strategy on 07761169343 if you can help out.
Between 2002 and 2008 the Avenues were comprehensively restored by the Thames Landscape Strategy's London's Arcadia project. This historical landscape was awarded a Grade II* listing by English Heritage in their register of Parks and Gardens.
The Avenues of mainly Lime Tilia trees provide enjoyment for both walkers and cyclists. As well as being a haven for wildlife they also link areas of high biodiversity value. Many will have marvelled at the wonderful sound of bees at work when the flowers of the lime trees are in bloom in June or seen the pipistrelle bats fly down the Avenue corridors of a summer evening at twilight.
London's Arcadia project management plan recommended the re-introduction of horse and cattle as the preferred traditional land management method to manage grass in the Avenues and so the Thames Landscape Strategy has proposed to trial the re-introduction of heavy horses pulling a mow as a sustainable way to manage grass and encroaching bramble along four of the Ham Avenues. These are the Great South Avenue, from Ham Common to the south gates of Ham House; the Petersham Avenue which runs from the east side of Ham House all the way to the Petersham Road; Melancholy Walk alongside the east side of Ham House from the Petersham Avenue towards to the river and the Ham Gate Avenue that runs to Richmond Park.
Thanks to funding for a one-year trial from the Petersham Environment Trust, horse teams of Shire horses and Cleveland Bays – Operation Centaur - from Royal Parks and historic Royal Palaces at Hampton Court will be used to carry out the bi-annual hay cut to the grassland in front of the tree line along the Avenues. The first hay cut will take place after the magnificent cow parsley flower display in the first week of June.
The advantages of using these heavy horses rather than machines are manifold. They limit compaction of sensitive soils and impact on rare flora and can be responsive in avoiding nesting birds and other wildlife. They are of course also low on noise disturbance and have a low carbon footprint – the horses will come from Holly Lodge in Richmond Park each day. Once cut the hay will be turned and raked using the horse team. Initially it will be removed by hand on a flat-bed dray and used for animal food or bedding.
Sir David Attenborough is the Patron of the Thames Landscape Strategy
We need your help! When the horses are working volunteers are needed to help inform dog walkers to keep their animals on a lead during cutting periods and help is also need to bail the hay and load the hay wain.
Come and meet the horses! Please contact Jason Debney at the Thames Landcaspe Strategy on 07761169343 if you can help out.