Friends of Tiddenfoot Waterside Park
Vegetation
The northern part of the site consists of an area of rare acid grassland, dominated by cocksfoot and timothy with large areas containing birdfoot trefoil and rest harrow. Species present include sorrel, squirreltail fescue, haresfoot clover, birdsfoot trefoil, pignut, restharrow, cats ear, black knapweed, Saint John’s wort and lady’s bedstraw. Gorse and broom, typical of acid conditions, are common.
The remainder of the site is made up of less species-rich neutral grassland, with planted oaks, hazel and birch, with some patches of bramble and dog rose. The mixture of grassland and scrub provides an excellent habitat mosaic for many wildflowers, birds and insects.
The Friends are very grateful to Browns Agricultural Machinery Ltd, who have provided grass-cutting equipment for the upkeep of the park for many years.
The trees growing in lines on the canal bank are poplars, planted by the company running the quarry in the 1960s to screen the works and supply matchsticks; but the trees were never felled.
A view over the lake from the western side showing a variety of natural growth
The "Foragers' Way" project and hedgelaying
Every season brings changes at Tiddenfoot. Regular users see a flurry of extra visitors harvesting the cherry plums, sloes, crab apples etc. along the hedgerows.
The old hedge along Mentmore Road has been a bit neglected and we are working to revitalise it by laying it and planting additional fruit trees to increase the harvest. We are also starting to create a brand new hedge to hide the harsh metal fencing installed by Cedars School.
Foraging is for all ages. Senior citizens who are already harvesters in autumn are also welcome at other times – there will be more varieties to pick! And the greater range is an opportunity to encourage children to learn about the fruit – and pick it!
Click here for the latest on this exciting project.
Planting the next generation
We're working to make sure the park's vegetation continues to thrive. That means controlling the growth of existing greenery and introducing carefully-selected new growth. Recent volunteer work parties have planted "whips" (saplings) in strategic positions to achieve a good balance of new trees and hedges. Pictured here are (right) the first new black poplar tree being planted in November 2013 to replace a fallen example near the green footbridge, and (below) some 300 whips being planted in January-February 2014 to form a new hedge to disguise the unsightly steel palisade fence boundary with Cedars Upper School.
Click here for photos of a selection of the trees, shrubs and plants at Tiddenfoot.
Keeping things under control: our volunteer work party in November 2011 cut back four hazel bushes that had become overgrown and made baskets out of the branches to protect the stumps from inquisitive animals as new growth begins.
Part of the "Poplar Walk"
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