2016
Bob Purnell (who is a horticulturist) quite often comes along to the Glebe.
He has helped with introducing butterflies and donating plants and trees.
He also takes photos on the Glebe and has recently set up the following link to his website where you can view these wonderful images: bobpurnell.smugmug.com/The-Glebe/
Bob Purnell (who is a horticulturist) quite often comes along to the Glebe.
He has helped with introducing butterflies and donating plants and trees.
He also takes photos on the Glebe and has recently set up the following link to his website where you can view these wonderful images: bobpurnell.smugmug.com/The-Glebe/
23/05/2014 Before and After photographs
2011
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2014
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31/03/2014
Dear all,
Here is an update based on photos taken on 31 March 2014. The Glebe is going from strength to strength and is developing into a real attraction. The planting has gone well with nearly all the trees and shrubs thriving apart from a few and of course the ones that were subject to vandalism early on in the project. I’ll give a brief running commentary on the photos.
The wedding cake tree is recovering from its transplanting nearly 2 years ago and is regenerating. There is a lot of new growth and some dead branches but hopefully it will recover.
The chickens are doing well and earning their keep. 17 of them are producing about 12 eggs per day at the moment. They have eaten nearly everything that is green in their enclosure! Thanks to the helpers who let them out, collect eggs and generally keep an eye on them.
Lily the black labrador is a regular helper!!! Good at gathering up sticks and digging up paths!
We are aiming to keep the nettles down this year to encourage other growth. Patches of nettles are being left for the butterflies though.
The benches are often in use. The one shown was provided by family and friends of Ed Heal.
Two of our regular helpers, Paul and Andy are becoming experts at repairing and restoring the walls using lime mortar.
Other regulars are Malcolm (wielding a mattock to clear unwanted roots) and David (drilling holes into tree stumps for bees and insect life.
Bob, another regular wasn’t there when photos were taken but is shown with the sign he made.
The first bluebell appeared this week along with a primrose!
The badgers are regular night-time visitors, digging up the paths in search of food. Foxes are around too but hopefully the inner run is still fox-proof!
Many thanks to all who help and support the project in many ways.
Eric
Here is an update based on photos taken on 31 March 2014. The Glebe is going from strength to strength and is developing into a real attraction. The planting has gone well with nearly all the trees and shrubs thriving apart from a few and of course the ones that were subject to vandalism early on in the project. I’ll give a brief running commentary on the photos.
The wedding cake tree is recovering from its transplanting nearly 2 years ago and is regenerating. There is a lot of new growth and some dead branches but hopefully it will recover.
The chickens are doing well and earning their keep. 17 of them are producing about 12 eggs per day at the moment. They have eaten nearly everything that is green in their enclosure! Thanks to the helpers who let them out, collect eggs and generally keep an eye on them.
Lily the black labrador is a regular helper!!! Good at gathering up sticks and digging up paths!
We are aiming to keep the nettles down this year to encourage other growth. Patches of nettles are being left for the butterflies though.
The benches are often in use. The one shown was provided by family and friends of Ed Heal.
Two of our regular helpers, Paul and Andy are becoming experts at repairing and restoring the walls using lime mortar.
Other regulars are Malcolm (wielding a mattock to clear unwanted roots) and David (drilling holes into tree stumps for bees and insect life.
Bob, another regular wasn’t there when photos were taken but is shown with the sign he made.
The first bluebell appeared this week along with a primrose!
The badgers are regular night-time visitors, digging up the paths in search of food. Foxes are around too but hopefully the inner run is still fox-proof!
Many thanks to all who help and support the project in many ways.
Eric
08/12/2013
Eric and the team would also like to acknowldge the assistance of Clevedon Conservation Volunteers for the work that they have done in and around the Glebe and the Churchyard, especially in opening up some long forgotten access routes.
Eric and the team would also like to acknowldge the assistance of Clevedon Conservation Volunteers for the work that they have done in and around the Glebe and the Churchyard, especially in opening up some long forgotten access routes.
13/10/2013
Hello everyone,
A quick update on what has been going on since the last update.
The Glebe is progressing well and the numbers of people taking a positive interest and the numbers of people visiting are growing.
The chickens are doing well and we are gaining knowledge in their upkeep. They seem to be very healthy and none are suffering from coughing, wheezing or weeping eyes which was a problem for some in the past. They are regularly treated for parasitic worms which free range birds can pick up easily from the ground. We are fortunate that the coup has been liberally treated with creosote which is very good at discouraging red-mite, another scourge of keeping chickens. The chickens have got a large following with many children (and mums and dads) coming to see them. The eggs are sold in the church centre after the Sunday service and sell out quickly. Many say that the difference between fresh free range eggs and supermarket ones is noticeable.
We had a lovely event a few weeks ago where brownies came to plant daffodil bulbs. The Lions club of Clevedon arranged it all and they gave £100 to buy the bulbs. We selected daffodil bulbs which are native to this country and they will only grow to between 10 and 14 inches high. They are said to be ‘shy’ in the first year so we may not see them in their full glory till Spring 2015! The bulbs were tiny and about the size of a hazelnut! It was a lovely morning for planting too and thanks to all the helpers. They were planted in the ‘nuttery’ area.
We have now put up notice-boards at the entrance to the Glebe and also in the chicken run. They give information about the aims of the Glebe and about how we hope to make it a haven for wildlife and English native butterflies in particular. Information is also given about the chickens and labelled pictures of the different kinds. We currently have 14 birds but are looking to buy 3 or 4 more in the next week or two.
Bob has done a fantastic wooden sign for the entrance to the Glebe using a section of a tree trunk and inlaying it with oak. He routered out the lettering and painted it black before treating the wood to preserve and enhance it. Many thanks to him.
Thanks too to Paul (and laterly) Andy who have been repairing boundary walls by scraping out and replacing lime mortar. In places there is no mortar and also in places no stones!
Thanks to all regular helpers especially Malcolm and David and to chicken helpers Jane, Paula and Paul. Thanks to Julain for keeping us regularly supplied with shredded tree material for the paths.
God is using this place and it is wonderful to see people coming in to have a picnic, look at the chickens or to quietly sit on the numerous benches.
Blessings to you all,
Eric
Hello everyone,
A quick update on what has been going on since the last update.
The Glebe is progressing well and the numbers of people taking a positive interest and the numbers of people visiting are growing.
The chickens are doing well and we are gaining knowledge in their upkeep. They seem to be very healthy and none are suffering from coughing, wheezing or weeping eyes which was a problem for some in the past. They are regularly treated for parasitic worms which free range birds can pick up easily from the ground. We are fortunate that the coup has been liberally treated with creosote which is very good at discouraging red-mite, another scourge of keeping chickens. The chickens have got a large following with many children (and mums and dads) coming to see them. The eggs are sold in the church centre after the Sunday service and sell out quickly. Many say that the difference between fresh free range eggs and supermarket ones is noticeable.
We had a lovely event a few weeks ago where brownies came to plant daffodil bulbs. The Lions club of Clevedon arranged it all and they gave £100 to buy the bulbs. We selected daffodil bulbs which are native to this country and they will only grow to between 10 and 14 inches high. They are said to be ‘shy’ in the first year so we may not see them in their full glory till Spring 2015! The bulbs were tiny and about the size of a hazelnut! It was a lovely morning for planting too and thanks to all the helpers. They were planted in the ‘nuttery’ area.
We have now put up notice-boards at the entrance to the Glebe and also in the chicken run. They give information about the aims of the Glebe and about how we hope to make it a haven for wildlife and English native butterflies in particular. Information is also given about the chickens and labelled pictures of the different kinds. We currently have 14 birds but are looking to buy 3 or 4 more in the next week or two.
Bob has done a fantastic wooden sign for the entrance to the Glebe using a section of a tree trunk and inlaying it with oak. He routered out the lettering and painted it black before treating the wood to preserve and enhance it. Many thanks to him.
Thanks too to Paul (and laterly) Andy who have been repairing boundary walls by scraping out and replacing lime mortar. In places there is no mortar and also in places no stones!
Thanks to all regular helpers especially Malcolm and David and to chicken helpers Jane, Paula and Paul. Thanks to Julain for keeping us regularly supplied with shredded tree material for the paths.
God is using this place and it is wonderful to see people coming in to have a picnic, look at the chickens or to quietly sit on the numerous benches.
Blessings to you all,
Eric
25/07/2013
Dear all
It’s been a while since the last update but things are still going well.
The chickens continue to lay well and enjoying their environment although we have had a couple of mysterious deaths and now have 14 birds, who produce between 60 to 80 eggs per week. These are in demand when they are sold in the Church Centre on Sundays. We lock them away at night in a coop in their ‘fox-proof’ run and so far we haven’t had any killed by badgers or foxes. Also, we haven’t had any mindless vandalism aimed at them or their run and for that we are very grateful. The chickens are a big hit with children and families and a lot of the older members of the congregation too!
Bob Purnell is very enthusiastic about making the Glebe a butterfly haven and this has been a great summer for them with the very hot weather recently. Bob has raised and released butterflies into the Glebe and hopefully they will succeed in breeding. He has released clouded yellows, peacocks, small coppers and commas to date. There are plans to release others when funds and time permits. It was great to release some clouded yellows after church on a Sunday and get the involvement of the congregation and children.
We have had another donation for a picnic table and we now have 4 close to the entrance which would seat 32 comfortably. These are already being used by the public and often by workers at lunchtime. We have visits from Bristol with mini-buses bringing adults with learning and physical disabilities and we have also had visits from the local schools.
I would particularly like to thank a few people. Those who help nearly every week in the Glebe, Malcolm, Bob, David and recently Paul. Many thanks to George and Mark for their great help in the past. Thanks to Julian (our friendly tree-surgeon) who has supplied us with all the wood chippings we use for our paths. Many thanks too for those who help with caring for the chickens, Paula, Paul, Jane, and Adrian. Thanks to Anita and Rex for help with fund-raising and keeping the accounts. Also many thanks to all those who have been great at helping out when I have put out a request, especially Ray.
Below you will find some photos of the events mentioned above but they seem to have become a bit jumbled!
Best wishes from the Glebe and the team!
Eric
Dear all
It’s been a while since the last update but things are still going well.
The chickens continue to lay well and enjoying their environment although we have had a couple of mysterious deaths and now have 14 birds, who produce between 60 to 80 eggs per week. These are in demand when they are sold in the Church Centre on Sundays. We lock them away at night in a coop in their ‘fox-proof’ run and so far we haven’t had any killed by badgers or foxes. Also, we haven’t had any mindless vandalism aimed at them or their run and for that we are very grateful. The chickens are a big hit with children and families and a lot of the older members of the congregation too!
Bob Purnell is very enthusiastic about making the Glebe a butterfly haven and this has been a great summer for them with the very hot weather recently. Bob has raised and released butterflies into the Glebe and hopefully they will succeed in breeding. He has released clouded yellows, peacocks, small coppers and commas to date. There are plans to release others when funds and time permits. It was great to release some clouded yellows after church on a Sunday and get the involvement of the congregation and children.
We have had another donation for a picnic table and we now have 4 close to the entrance which would seat 32 comfortably. These are already being used by the public and often by workers at lunchtime. We have visits from Bristol with mini-buses bringing adults with learning and physical disabilities and we have also had visits from the local schools.
I would particularly like to thank a few people. Those who help nearly every week in the Glebe, Malcolm, Bob, David and recently Paul. Many thanks to George and Mark for their great help in the past. Thanks to Julian (our friendly tree-surgeon) who has supplied us with all the wood chippings we use for our paths. Many thanks too for those who help with caring for the chickens, Paula, Paul, Jane, and Adrian. Thanks to Anita and Rex for help with fund-raising and keeping the accounts. Also many thanks to all those who have been great at helping out when I have put out a request, especially Ray.
Below you will find some photos of the events mentioned above but they seem to have become a bit jumbled!
Best wishes from the Glebe and the team!
Eric
21/04/2013
Hi everyone,
Some pictures of the Glebe coming to life and being used by one of the Church groups.
Eric
Hi everyone,
Some pictures of the Glebe coming to life and being used by one of the Church groups.
Eric
29/03/2013
Hello everyone,
Just a short update with some pictures.
The chickens are now looking healthy and enjoying their life in the Glebe. We started off with 17 but lost two early on. There was some infection in the flock so we treated them with antibiotics in their drinking water but unfortunately lost another two. We purchased one replacement from a place in Tickenham and Lucinda and I provided another two which we had obtained initially for our own small flock. So currently the number is 16. One of the hens has been laying eggs regularly for some time but the others have yet to start producing! Perhaps they will start over Easter!
We have now placed 3 picnic tables in the Glebe along with a sleeper bench and 6 rustic benches. There are plans for 3 more and that’s it!
In the Nuttery area we have just planted 3 walnut trees, 3 almond trees, 15 hazel/cob bushes/trees, 2 bird cherry trees, 7 rowan and 6 oak. Some of the oak and rowan have gone into the main part of the Glebe.
We have also planted some shrubs and bushes to encourage butterflies which is one of our long-term aims.
It is pleasing to see a variety of wild-life. We have resident rabbits (not so good for some of the planting!), squirrels, badgers and many different types of birds. We have started putting up nest boxes for tits, robins etc and hope that it isn’t too late for them to be occupied this season.
As usual this Good Friday our church placed 3 crosses on the top of the hill. It was really good for the congregation to use the paths laid and not to have to negotiate mud!
Have a good Easter
Eric
Hello everyone,
Just a short update with some pictures.
The chickens are now looking healthy and enjoying their life in the Glebe. We started off with 17 but lost two early on. There was some infection in the flock so we treated them with antibiotics in their drinking water but unfortunately lost another two. We purchased one replacement from a place in Tickenham and Lucinda and I provided another two which we had obtained initially for our own small flock. So currently the number is 16. One of the hens has been laying eggs regularly for some time but the others have yet to start producing! Perhaps they will start over Easter!
We have now placed 3 picnic tables in the Glebe along with a sleeper bench and 6 rustic benches. There are plans for 3 more and that’s it!
In the Nuttery area we have just planted 3 walnut trees, 3 almond trees, 15 hazel/cob bushes/trees, 2 bird cherry trees, 7 rowan and 6 oak. Some of the oak and rowan have gone into the main part of the Glebe.
We have also planted some shrubs and bushes to encourage butterflies which is one of our long-term aims.
It is pleasing to see a variety of wild-life. We have resident rabbits (not so good for some of the planting!), squirrels, badgers and many different types of birds. We have started putting up nest boxes for tits, robins etc and hope that it isn’t too late for them to be occupied this season.
As usual this Good Friday our church placed 3 crosses on the top of the hill. It was really good for the congregation to use the paths laid and not to have to negotiate mud!
Have a good Easter
Eric
This article appeared in The North Somerset Times, 23rd November 2012:
Glebe Update June 2012:
Hi all,
Time for an update as things are moving on apace!
Where are we now?
A lot of work has been done by willing volunteers despite the weather and periods of being ‘rained off’!
- A very attractive and rustic pole and rail fence has been erected separating off the proposed ‘nuttery’ area and also the area where we propose to keep chickens. Permission has been granted by the PCC for the keeping of the chickens.
- The donkey shelter has been re-roofed and is now dry and suitable for storage of logs etc.
- The hedge along Poet’s Walk is being left to fend for itself following further theft and uprooting of saplings. I didn’t want to draw attention to the remaining saplings by weeding and top dressing etc. We will see what survives!
What next?
- We are all very pleased that Bob Purnell, who is a notable horticulturist, has taken a great interest in our project and is very willing to offer advice and expertise. Bob lives in Clevedon and is shortly to move home to Bristol. As part of the move Bob has arranged for a ‘Wedding Cake Tree’ from his existing garden to be replanted in the lower part of the Glebe. There is considerable risk in doing this as the tree is 20 foot high and will have to be moved by specialists, root ball and all! It is also not advisable to move a mature tree during a hot dry summer! So we should be alright there then! A photo is attached of the tree in Bob’s present garden. There will also be some landscaping/sculpting of the lower end of the Glebe.
- A pedestrian access gate will shortly be installed alongside the existing gate.
- Purchasing of chickens, hen-house etc. will follow as soon as funds become available. We propose to raise some money by adopting or sponsoring a chicken! More of that at a later date.
- A secure lockable shed also needs to be purchased for storage of materials, chicken feed etc. Again funds are needed for this.
- It has long been our aim to have the Glebe as a wild-life area. In discussion with Bob it is apparent that he has a passion for native British butterflies and raises them for release in the wild. It seems to naturally follow that we should work at making the Glebe a butterfly reserve which would then help to colonise the rest of Wains and Church Hills which at present have limited numbers. This is an exciting thought and Bob can advise and help us on creating the right sort of habitat. We would also like to involve schools and the community in raising butterflies for release into the wild.
Grand Opening!
We have set a date which is Sunday 5 August at 11.00. This coincides with a number of things. Firstly the church is running a holiday club for children and is having a service on the Sunday which all the children will be invited to attend. Secondly the church is starting their Summer Cream Teas on this date and thirdly CPAS (Church Pastoral Aid Society) is hosting a series of Open Gardens to raise money for camps for disadvantaged children from Liverpool. The Glebe and the Sheep field will be open on this day.
We are inviting everyone to attend and will get the event advertised in the North Somerset Times. John Middleton (chairman of Clevedon Town Council) has agreed to officially open the Glebe. Most exciting of all, Bob Purnell is producing a display of British butterflies and then releasing up to a hundred butterflies and larvae into the Glebe Field. This will also be a poignant moment as he will be doing so in memory of his mum, Carol, who lived in Clevedon for over 40 years and adored St Andrew’s and Poet’s walk.
So lots happening and thank you once again for all your support and kind words.