AS A member of Thornbury Sailing Club I thought I would reply to Liz Macdonald's letter last week regarding the cutting of the grass in the fields leading down to the Severn. She asked why mowing is done at this time of year.
Well, the club has passed the management of its land to a local farmer. The grass is cut to make silage. To quote from the UKAgriculture website "Grass silage is usually produced by stock farmers two or three times a year, however it is the first cut of grass in late May that is the most important".
Regarding the skylarks, the RSPB website says "skylarks can nest successfully in hay and silage fields if they are not cut between early April and the end of May, and subsequent cuts are at least seven weeks apart".
Since the farmer started working on the club's land last year, the fields have been kept tidy and the ragwort under control. Local walkers are seeing the benefit, and The chairman of Oldbury Parish Council has written to say that "Several Parishioners have told me how nice the sailing club fields look now they have been cut. The tree islands make a big difference and the whole area is a credit to the club and its members".
It just goes to show that it is impossible to please everyone all the time! I'm sorry Ms Macdonald is upset, but we are well aware of the need to conserve the land we own, and will continue to do so responsibly.
Rob Hudson
Butt Lane
Thornbury
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