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.
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)
The meadow hasn't grown much yet but there is a good show of cuckoo flowers now.
It's a good year for the cuckoo flowers. They aren't conspicuous if you just drive past but they're worth stopping to take a closer look.
A common meadow plant but the unusual flowers can be quite striking when the anthers are shedding pollen.
The bluebells are doing well in the wooded area. It will be years before they form a 'carpet' but there weren't any when the project started so it's nice to see the planted clumps spreading and seedlings developing.
This drooping flower is doing well near the pond.
The site still looks wintery but new growth is starting to appear.
Willow is an important source of early pollen for insects as they become active in spring. Here a honeybee is collecting pollen to take back to her colony.
There are male and female willow trees at Jubilee Pasture. Both have catkins. The males bear yellow pollen and later in the year the females will develop seeds.
The transplanted primroses are doing well in the copse.
The transplanted sweet violets are flowering again in the copse.