High Hirst Woodmeadow was established by Hebden Royd Town Council in 2020, after their declaration of a Climate Emergency in March 2019 and in response to the global loss of biodiversity.
The project adapted a four-acre, council-owned site into a mixed habitat of woodland and meadows to support wildlife.
Key dates
- 2019: Hebden Royd Town Council began developing the project.
- 2020: The project was officially launched.
- 2021: The High Hirst Woodmeadow Project was announced to the public.
- 2023: On 20th April, an opening and unveiling ceremony took place for new access paths and interpretation panels.
- 2024: The Friends of High Hirst Woodmeadow supported Hebden Royd Town Council to develop and manage the site.
- 2024: In April, a previously unnamed species of fungus, belonging to the dotted fanvault family was discovered at High Hirst Woodmeadow. This fungus is awaiting an official name.
Events
The project hosts several events throughout the year including a Learn to Scythe training workshop, a celebration of National Meadows Day on the first Saturday of July and a hay harvesting week with a Haytime Tea celebration at the end!
Moth breakfasts, Bat walks and dawn chorus walks are also hosted on site.
Plans for annual Apple Day and Wassail are also underway so watch this space!
Volunteering
If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Gareth Muir, Local Environment & Allotments Officer
Upcoming Events
Please check Hebden Royd Town Council’s What’s On Hebden Bridge page for any upcoming events.
Site Management
The site is managed by Hebden Royd Town Council with the support of Hebden Royd residents. Practical Environmental Conservation activities are carried out on site including mowing with scythes, drystone wall restoration and coppicing, which is a traditional form of woodland management.
Livestock are grazed on the site as part of the management approach, with the permissive path on site being closed to the public during this period.
On-site resources
- Two interpretation boards, giving information about the project and the flora and fungi on site.
- An orchard with a wide variety of apples, plums and walnuts, which will be harvested by the local community once the trees have matured.
- A wheelchair accessible viewing point from the Manor Drive entrance off the Dodnaze estate
