Last chance to see Cubbington’s spring woodland flowers and England’s award-winning Wild Pear Tree with walks starting 2nd April – before HS2 destroys ancient woodland and the tree. [HS2 construction is not due until next year.]
Cubbington Spring Flower Walk in April three years ago. ©FWilmot
Volunteers in Cubbington Action Group Against HS2 will lead easy two mile walks from April to May in South Cubbington Wood to see anemones, bluebells or the famous pear tree in bloom, depending on weather and temperatures. Free walks start outside the King’s Head pub on Church Hill in Cubbington, lasting just under 2 hours. Dogs allowed on leads, please. Wellies or strong shoes essential as the walk is muddy.
Dates and times: Monday 2 April at 10am, Sat 7 April at 2.30pm, Sun 15 April at 2.30pm, Sat 21 April at 2.30pm, Sun 29 April at 2.30pm, Mon 7 May at 10am.
For flowering updates see website and its Facebook link: www.hs2-cubbington.net
Other news:
Paul Labous, the Shuttleworth College lecturer who succeeded in making a successful graft from Cubbington’s award-winning wild pear tree, recently met HS2 Ltd contractors to explain how he made the graft.
The pear tree is to be painted in all seasons this year by Stella Carran, an artist in the Arborealist group. She braved rain and mud to visit and identify the pear tree with guides from Cubbington Action Group and plans to begin sketches when conditions permit.
Anemones Sth Cubbington Wood. ©F.Wilmot
Anemones Sth Cubbington Wood in March, a previous year. ©FWilmot P1030431.jpg
The replacement bears no comparison. What a wonderful environment. Tragic misuse/abuse of land – new planting along the route is a feeble token; established living woodland cannot be replaced (even with grafts etc.) and is surely worth more than faster/less crowded trains which will only work for those each end while those along the line will have detours/delays/disruption/ noise and dirt during construction; noise, vibrations, loss of views etc. once HS2 is built.