Living willow den takes shape!

On a sunny Friday in November the basic structure for the willow den in the playground was completed.

During the first hour the GPG volunteers (Stan, Craig, Vale and Kassie), scoured the Millennium Woods to find a couple of hazel trees in need of being coppiced from which we cut around 15 long branches that were used to fashion the basic structure. These were dug into the ground and tied in at the tops which were then pulled together to form a rough dome.

Following this, shorter willow stems were then cut and dug in between each hazel pole and also tied in.

This is only the very start of the process and we will be monitoring if any of the willow stems start to sprout in the spring. Those that do will be tied in as they grow, and those that do not will be replaced.

Over time as the willow grows it will help us to create a good domed shape to the den and the sides will gradually fill in.

Elsewhere within the village, we have been adding plants to the Lower Way and Main Street verges - including 120 crocus bulbs, thanks to a donation from founding GPG member and former resident of Padbury, Sarah Morris. There's lots to be watching out for in the spring!