New Trustee appointment

We are very pleased that Chris Smith has agreed to become a trustee, with effect from 1^st November 2017.

Chris moved to Dorchester from London in December 2011. When he retired from an IT career in the motor trade and in financial services he became a regular volunteer in the village: excavating for the Dorchester Archaeological dig, helping to build a database for the museum, and becoming Chairman of Dorchester Tennis Club.

Chris also joined the Hurst volunteer work parties and while working on the meadows became interested in all aspects of the management of the land. Since March 2017 he has been organising the Tuesday volunteer workers on the meadows and has acquired a loyal band of regular volunteers, planning the programme of work with great efficiency to meet our long-term land management goals.

The Trustees look forward to benefiting from the experience and skills that Chris can contribute to the work of the Trust.

Winter grazing

Horses, or more correctly polo ponies, are back on the Hurst for winter grazing. Providing that the meadow is not flooded they will remain as long as there is grass for them. The regime of grazing after the hay cut helps to encourage diversity of plant species and is a feature of traditional meadow management. Often cattle or sheep are used for grazing but they would be more difficult to contain in the Hurst and less compatible with the many canine visitors to the meadows.

The Trustees thank all who have given support to the work of the Trust this year and wish everyone a happy Christmas and New Year.

Gillian Johnson (Hon. Secretary)

on behalf of the Trustees

01865 340925

email: admin@hurst-water-meadow.org.uk