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.
Drone images kindly provided by NEYEDC, taken in 2024.
Although the newly planted trees are too small to be seen, you can already see an effect of cutting the vegetation around them using brushcutters in winter, rather than cutting with a tractor in late summer like the meadow area.
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)
What a change in a month! Flowers and insects are now abundant and the impact of managing the area for wildlife is clear.
This photo clearly shows the effect on the sward of differing management in the meadow area and the area where trees were planted in 2022.
Driving past you see the buttercups. If you stop and walk through the meadow you see numerous other flowers. At the moment, red clover and yellow rattle are abundant. Note the bee feeding on a central red clover flower.
Painted lady butterflies make an extraordinary migration to Europe from warmer climates, with the number of butterflies reaching the UK varying greatly from year to year. This looks like it will be a good year for them.
The caterpillars of this moth feed on pignut; the abundant white flower amongst the newly planted trees. It looks like small cow parsley.
Spring is definitely here now although the leaves are yet to come out on the aspens.
This plant was introduced from a local source when the pond was constructed. It seems to be thriving and will hopefully spread.
The bluebells aren't yet a carpet but are a really successful introduction to the copse.
A delicate pale violet. In previous years I've only noticed purple flowers.
Note the two nests in one of the tall trees.There were none in January and one in early March.
Finally the sun has come out! All the grass between the new trees has now been cut ready for the new growing season.