• On 13 December MUG did winter tree planting with the Tree Musketeers in the cricket field. Elms, oaks, rowans, wild cherries, and a sweet chestnut were planted at the north end (along the side of Chatsworth Road and Lea Bridge Road). More than 80 volunteers turned up to help during the day and the weather was glorious.
• Two hedge planting days took place in the cricket field (along the Chatsworth Road side) and in North Millfields (along the east side paralled with Lea Bridge Road). These were coordinated by the Biodiversity Officer of the Council and were supported by members of the Millfields Trees group.
• A commemorative plaque has been placed in the cricket field in front of one of the newly planted hedges to recognise and support the fight against domestic abuse. The Domestic Abuse Intervention Service, partners from Hestia, and members of the Millfields Tree Group were involved in the hedge planting in that space in January.
• A consultation will be held on the refurbishment of the children’s playground in North Millfields: on Sunday 15 February 9.30-12.30. The designers will be in park – come along and meet them and give them your views (see previous post).
• Two new information boards are up in North Millfields (off the main path facing the biomes) and South Millfields (at the junction of the diagonal path and the newly restored canal path). The North Millfields board describes whats happening in the biomes planted just to the park side of the cycle path while the South Millfields board is about the value of orchards.
• New benches and picnic tables will be installed in the spring. They will look like this: https://www.broxap.com/eastgate-seat.html https://www.bransonleisure.com/product/cranham-picnic-bench The Council is looking for more seating for the main path through North Millfields which were removed last year. Apparently the old ones were not sufficiently sturdy so we wait to see what they are replaced with.
• We have a new coffee trader in North Millfields. His name is Jonathan and he’s the founder of El Camino Expresso, an independent coffee van, based near the children’s playground on Saturdays and Sundays. Do come along to meet him.
• There have been some problems with the lighting from the middle of the main diagonal path in South Millfields to the canal. This was reported to the Council and the problem is being/ has been addressed.
• On Sunday 22 February we will be mulching the woodland strip that was planted in the winter of 2024/5. This is vitally important work because we struggled to keep that area watered in the hot weather last year. The aim is to seal in the moisture from the recent rain and suppress the grass which competes with the young trees. Please do join us if you can. It involves shovelling woodchip on to wheelbarrows, taking the wheelbarrows to where the mulch is needed, and spreading it on the ground. Everyone welcome to join in.
• Between now and the next meeting gardeners are asked to start taking cuttings and sowing seeds for the next MUG plant “sale”. This will be held on Sunday 7^th June in South Millfields (opposite Millfields Coffee) in aid of funds for The Tree Circle Cinema.
• Save the Date! The Tree Circle Cinema will be held on Saturday 12^th September this year.

The Children’s Playground in North Millfields is to be refurbished this year at a cost of £5-600,000 and the Council is consulting with local people on how they’d like to see the space developed and what play equipment they’d like installed.

On Sunday 15 February 9.30-12.30 the designers will be in park – come along and meet them and give them your views. Below are some images from other play areas which may help.