Jubilee Pasture
A community project to create a special place for people and wildlife
Thanks to National Lottery Players
Half way between Bugthorpe and Kirby Underdale, where the road crosses the beck, there is a triangle of grassland with some trees in the corner. In 2022, Halifax Estates (the landowner) supported the idea of a community project to transform this site into a small wildlife haven, and create a special place where local residents and visitors can appreciate our countryside. The project commemorates The Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Being located next to Pasture Farm, we have called the site Jubilee Pasture.
Jubilee Pasture, June 2023.
Bugthorpe and Kirby Underdale Parish Council received generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Together with the time and energy of many volunteers, this enabled us to undertake the initial development work required to fulfil the project’s aims. This work was undertaken over eighteen months in 2022-2023. With continued support from our community, Jubilee Pasture will be an asset for people and wildlife long into the future.
How to get involved
The Parish Council has responsibility for ensuring ongoing management to fulfil Jubilee Pasture’s aims. However, day-to-day management needs will be identified by a core team of volunteers, who will also continue to arrange volunteer sessions for ‘Friends of Jubilee Pasture’. Everyone is welcome to come to these sessions and participate in whatever way they can. When volunteer activities have been planned, notices will be put up on the boards in Bugthorpe and Kirby Underdale. To receive emails about planned activities, to ask any questions about being involved, or if you have any suggestions, please contact Janet at bugthorpevillage@gmail.com.
Gallery (most recent first, click to see full image and description)
The wild angelica population survived the disruption of the stream bank which occurred with the construction of the pond. It is a good late source of food for many insects.
This little oak is host to a couple of dozen galls. I think these ones are caused by the oak marble gall wasp.
Another year for the meadow area is over. The grass is still uncut amongst the new trees so that will provide food and habitat for a bit longer. That will also be cut and raked to encourage plant diversity.
The knapweed is very popular with insects late in the season.
Late July is the peak time for the flowers which make this meadow distinctive. Many other meadows have been cut by now but here there is a sea of meadowsweet dotted with great burnet.
The grasses are seeding but the meadowsweet and great burnet flowers are now putting on a good show.
The first of the great burnet flowers are starting to appear again.
The yellow flowers of June have given way to creamy swathes of meadowsweet.
It seems to be a good year for this species. It is widespread in the meadow area but this year the plants seem bigger and with more flowers than recent years.
This species has only been recorded since green hay was spread in 2022.
