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How appalling! I've just realised that I haven't posting a blog entry for over a year!
One of the great things about blogging is that one creates a wonderful record of all the things that go on to look back on in future years. A sort of online diary that others can see. I do the same on Facebook and Twitter, but a blog allows for a bit more space and freedom.
So, what' seen going on over the last year? Well, quite a lot, which is probably why I've not had time to blog for ages!
Our new visitor welcome centre, shop and cafe is taking shape. Take a look at the video, it's looking fabulous and will make such a difference to the way we welcome our visitors to the estate.
On our rivers, we have just completed a fabulous project with EA and Southampton University to restore part of the River Test on the famous "Halford Beat," the Oakley.
In the countryside our work in the New Forest goes from strength-to-strength. In October the National Park's "Our past, our future" project, backed by an HLF grant got underway. Our part of the project centres on Foxbury, where we will be planting over 20,000 trees, progressing with our heathland restoration work, restoring river boards around our ponds and putting in better outdoor education facilities, along with some other facilities like better toilets and car park.
It's great to see commons such as Bramshaw looking the best they have ever looked. And it's official, because Natural England has designated the common as "desirable" status - 4 years ahead of schedule.
One of my favourite chalk downlands is at Stockbridge. Often referred to as the "roof of Hamshire," it's a stunning place to walk. Our butterfly surveys this year told us that we have 42 of the UK's 59 species of butterfly present, which is just superb. The marsh, which is close by is also a lovely place to walk and one of the few areas of the River Test where people can walk by the side of the river. We have restored large sections of the bank here too, so that some of the erosion we've seen is mitigated/corrected.
So loads and loads of fantastic work from our National Trust staff and volunteers to be proud about and lots to look forward to next year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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