The Bow Village Hall committee commissioned Greenmantle Gardens to redesign the football pitch adjacent to their village hall in the winter of 2020-2021. They hoped it might be repurposed as a community resource, to include a sustainable vegetable garden, a storytelling area, a scooter circuit for younger children, a wildlife area, a picnic zone and an orchard …
Along with my CAD assistant Solenne Freulon, we came up with many design possibilities, zoning the football pitch, starting by nestling the storytelling pavilion into a small Arboretum close to an existing majestic beech for example, and positioning the sustainable vegetable plot next to the Village Hall for ease of use. The wildlife area has been situated in a small part of the field that is already somewhat secluded and surrounded by hedges, whilst the picnic area has been given a rewilding feel to blend with the nearby Arboretum through the inclusion of some tall Scots pines, underplanted with naturalistic grasses and large boulders … We were commissioned for the ‘bells and whistles version’(!) which meant including sculptures by Peter Randall Page and Stuart Ian Frost, with a mesmeric and beautiful stainless steel kinetic sculpture in the centre of the site by Anthony Howe … We introduced level changes to help recontour what is essentially a very flat area, and added meandering paths up the banks next to the car park, clothing them with drifts of low maintenance, striking shrubs and grasses, leading to 2 cobbled semi-enclosed seating areas that take advantage of the far-reaching views to distant Dartmoor… We very much hope that the Bow Village Hall committee will be successful in raising the funds necessary to pursue this vision, turning a barren field into a fantastic resource for the local community that will serve them for decades to come …
The long narrow section of the park lends itself to creation of a 'wildwood' wherein a secret clearing far beyond the prying eyes of 'muggles' can be found. Looking around this area, designed for wildlife, but also as an immersive experience for children and adults on selected occasions, a variety of small to medium sized trees can be found, providing year-round visual interest as well as wildlife habitat ... Beautiful bark, blossom, berries as well as scent, colour, texture and form excite the senses, whilst the understorey resembles a patchwork of shade-tolerant herbaceous plants, including bulbs, ferns and flowering ground cover specimens. Two viewing platforms (crow's nest style) connected by a walkway enable children to engage with wildlife without causing disturbances at ground level.
Meandering paths made from oak risers and backfilled with shillet lead up to two circular recreation areas, backed by Himalayan birch. The twin circular areas are bounded by drystone walls and paved with square granite setts providing opportunities for benches allowing for contemplation of the superb views. A fire bowl next to the benches adds another elemental and social focus to the natural materials and simple forms that define the space. Bespoke fitness equipment for pull-ups and sit-ups made from wood and steel add extra possibilities and permutations on a theme.
The pre-existence of mature trees here makes this an ideal area for establishing a small Arboretum, underplanted with a collection of spring flowering bulbs, which blend seamlessly with the wild flower meadow beneath the apple trees in the adjacent Orchard. A meandering path leads to the slightly hidden, simple, yet elaborate abode of the Storyteller. The emphasis is on creating an atmosphere of enchantment for children and adults to witness special events in an intimate environment, close to the natural world.
This part of the project could involve the local community in the selection of apple varieties, and in the establishment and maintenance of the meadow for wildlife, and the collection of fruit. Nearby RHS Rosemoor have established wildflower meadows and may be able to advise with site preparation. Where the apple trees themselves are to be planted, the soil must be deep ... Laxton's fortune and Ashmeads kernel (both eating apple varieties) come recommended!
Credit: Anthony Howe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-1LpikCSR4)
The addition of several groupings of Scots pine in the picnic area give a new sense of scale to this part of the site ... These wind resistant, native, fast-growing trees filter the wind with a graceful yet robust stature, and being evergreen, they provide all year-round interest ... The burnt orange colour and texture of the bark adds sensory impact. The benches, play area and three clusters of trees appear as part of the same design concept. Hard landscaping features take the play opportunities beyond the fenced area, offering climbing and jumping for children. The ornamental, rustic looking low-maintenance grasses elicit some of the exhilaration of being in rugged wild places.
The Bow Village Hall committee commissioned Greenmantle Gardens to redesign the football pitch adjacent to their village hall in the winter of 2020-2021. They hoped it might be repurposed as a community resource, to include a sustainable vegetable garden, a storytelling area, a scooter circuit for younger children, a wildlife area, a picnic zone and an orchard …
Along with my CAD assistant Solenne Freulon, we came up with many design possibilities, zoning the football pitch, starting by nestling the storytelling pavilion into a small Arboretum close to an existing majestic beech for example, and positioning the sustainable vegetable plot next to the Village Hall for ease of use. The wildlife area has been situated in a small part of the field that is already somewhat secluded and surrounded by hedges, whilst the picnic area has been given a rewilding feel to blend with the nearby Arboretum through the inclusion of some tall Scots pines, underplanted with naturalistic grasses and large boulders … We were commissioned for the ‘bells and whistles version’(!) which meant including sculptures by Peter Randall Page and Stuart Ian Frost, with a mesmeric and beautiful stainless steel kinetic sculpture in the centre of the site by Anthony Howe … We introduced level changes to help recontour what is essentially a very flat area, and added meandering paths up the banks next to the car park, clothing them with drifts of low maintenance, striking shrubs and grasses, leading to 2 cobbled semi-enclosed seating areas that take advantage of the far-reaching views to distant Dartmoor… We very much hope that the Bow Village Hall committee will be successful in raising the funds necessary to pursue this vision, turning a barren field into a fantastic resource for the local community that will serve them for decades to come…
The long narrow section of the park lends itself to creation of a 'wildwood' wherein a secret clearing far beyond the prying eyes of 'muggles' can be found. Looking around this area, designed for wildlife, but also as an immersive experience for children and adults on selected occasions, a variety of small to medium sized trees can be found, providing year-round visual interest as well as wildlife habitat ... Beautiful bark, blossom, berries as well as scent, colour, texture and form excite the senses, whilst the understorey resembles a patchwork of shade-tolerant herbaceous plants, including bulbs, ferns and flowering ground cover specimens. Two viewing platforms (crow's nest style) connected by a walkway enable children to engage with wildlife without causing disturbances at ground level.
Meandering paths made from oak risers and backfilled with shillet lead up to two circular recreation areas, backed by Himalayan birch. The twin circular areas are bounded by drystone walls and paved with square granite setts providing opportunities for benches allowing for contemplation of the superb views. A fire bowl next to the benches adds another elemental and social focus to the natural materials and simple forms that define the space. Bespoke fitness equipment for pull-ups and sit-ups made from wood and steel add extra possibilities and permutations on a theme.
The pre-existence of mature trees here makes this an ideal area for establishing a small Arboretum, underplanted with a collection of spring flowering bulbs, which blend seamlessly with the wild flower meadow beneath the apple trees in the adjacent Orchard. A meandering path leads to the slightly hidden, simple, yet elaborate abode of the Storyteller. The pavilion shown here was developed by a team from Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, and is displayed at the plant hunters garden, Pitlochry, Scotland. The emphasis is on creating an atmosphere of enchantment for children and adults to witness special events in an intimate environment, close to the natural world.
This part of the project could involve the local community in the selection of apple varieties, and in the establishment and maintenance of the meadow for wildlife, and the collection of fruit. Nearby RHS Rosemoor have established wildflower meadows and may be able to advise with site preparation. Where the apple trees themselves are to be planted, the soil must be deep ... Laxton's fortune and Ashmeads kernel (both eating apple varieties) come recommended!
Credit: Anthony Howe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-1LpikCSR4)
The addition of several groupings of Scots pine in the picnic area give a new sense of scale to this part of the site ... These wind resistant, native, fast-growing trees filter the wind with a graceful yet robust stature, and being evergreen, they provide all year-round interest ... The burnt orange colour and texture of the bark adds sensory impact. The benches, play area and three clusters of trees appear as part of the same design concept. Hard landscaping features take the play opportunities beyond the fenced area, offering climbing and jumping for children. The ornamental, rustic looking low-maintenance grasses elicit some of the exhilaration of being in rugged wild places.
The Bow Village Hall committee commissioned Greenmantle Gardens to redesign the football pitch adjacent to their village hall in the winter of 2020-2021. They hoped it might be repurposed as a community resource, to include a sustainable vegetable garden, a storytelling area, a scooter circuit for younger children, a wildlife area, a picnic zone and an orchard …
Along with my CAD assistant Solenne Freulon, we came up with many design possibilities, zoning the football pitch, starting by nestling the storytelling pavilion into a small Arboretum close to an existing majestic beech for example, and positioning the sustainable vegetable plot next to the Village Hall for ease of use. The wildlife area has been situated in a small part of the field that is already somewhat secluded and surrounded by hedges, whilst the picnic area has been given a rewilding feel to blend with the nearby Arboretum through the inclusion of some tall Scots pines, underplanted with naturalistic grasses and large boulders … We were commissioned for the ‘bells and whistles version’(!) which meant including sculptures by Peter Randall Page and Stuart Ian Frost, with a mesmeric and beautiful stainless steel kinetic sculpture in the centre of the site by Anthony Howe … We introduced level changes to help recontour what is essentially a very flat area, and added meandering paths up the banks next to the car park, clothing them with drifts of low maintenance, striking shrubs and grasses, leading to 2 cobbled semi-enclosed seating areas that take advantage of the far-reaching views to distant Dartmoor… We very much hope that the Bow Village Hall committee will be successful in raising the funds necessary to pursue this vision, turning a barren field into a fantastic resource for the local community that will serve them for decades to come… The project is divided into several zones, each offering its own unique experience for visitors and users, and serving an appropriate purpose for the community. These include:
The long narrow section of the park lends itself to creation of a 'wildwood' wherein a secret clearing far beyond the prying eyes of 'muggles' can be found. Here, dens can be built, or camp fires gazed into beneath the stars ... Perhaps as the wood matures, the nocturnal hooting of owls will be heard, as they take to the wing, hunting for small rodents amid the long grass, or amongst the ground cover planting, beneath the growing canopy of the wild wood!
Looking around this area, designed for wildlife, but also as an immersive experience for children and adults on selected occasions, a variety of small to medium sized trees can be found, providing year round visual interest as well as wildlife habitat ... Beautiful bark, blossom, berries as well as scent, colour, texture and form excite the senses, whilst the understorey resembles a patchwork of shade-tolerant herbaceous plants, including bulbs, ferns and flowering ground cover specimens. Log piles and decomposing leaves help feed the soil, micro-organisms and invertebrates at the bottom of the food chain, which in turn increases insect life, improving food supply for the birds. The installation of nesting boxes and bird feeders encourages a variety of wild birds. Two viewing platforms (crow's nest style) connected by a walkway enable children to engage with wildlife without causing disturbances at ground level. Fenced-off behind a locked gate, at the very far end of this area, bee hives help with pollination over the whole site. Log and leaf piles here encourage slow worms and hedgehogs to over-winter. The whole area is fenced off on _approach, with perhaps a lockable gate affording restricted entry.
The car park farthest from the hall is underused, and yet looking over the car park in tills direction are fabulous views of distant Dartmoor. The long bank flanking the car park, once cloaked with drifts of pampas grass and miscanthus, will draw visitors to this side to park ... Meandering paths made from oak risers and backfilled with shillet lead up to two circular recreation areas, backed by Himalayan birch. These tree groupings unify the design along the length of the southern side of the site, whilst offering shelter and shade.
The twin circular areas are bounded by drystone walls and paved with square granite setts. These semi-enclosed areas provide a number of opportunities benches allow for contemplation of the superb views, a hulking oak blown over in a gale has been repurposed as a climbing frame and sculpture by cleverly drilling a matrix of holes over it's entire surface (search Start Ian Frost sculpture for inspiration). A fire bowl next to the benches adds another elemental and social focus to the natural materials and simple forms that define the space. Bespoke fitness equipment for pull-ups and sit-ups made from wood and steel add extra possibilities and permutations on a theme. Care should be taken to incorporate inobtrusive fitness equipment that fits with the pared-back aesthetic and natural materials used here. Perhaps less is more? Beautiful sculpted boulders by Peter Randall Page add to the stark, simple beauty of the space ...
Tucked away in the north-west corner of the site in amongst a collection of fine specimen trees is the Storytelling Pavilion. The pre-existence of mature trees here makes this an ideal area for establishing a small Arboretum, underplanted with a collection of spring flowering bulbs, which blend seamlessly with the wild flower meadow beneath the apple trees in the adjacent Orchard. A meandering path leads to the slightly hidden, simple, yet elaborate abode of the Storyteller. The pavilion shown here was developed by a team from Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, and is displayed at the plant hunters garden, Pitlochry, Scotland. The emphasis is on creating an atmosphere of enchantment for children and adults to witness special events in an intimate environment, close to the natural world. The shelter is a beautiful work of art in itself, with an ingenuously designed roof reminiscent of an Asian pagoda, and a pebble mosaic floor. This expertly crafted space is one of the jewels in the crown of the site and will provide a delightful space for personal reflection, picnics, counselling or mentoring, and small-scale ceremonies as well as for storytelling events. Surrounding the pavilion, a selection of elegant, yet robust, architectural specimen trees with fantastic autumn colour, or scent, have been chosen to bring the landscape alive.
On the western flank of the site a small orchard set amongst long grass sprinkled with wildflowers provides fruit for the community and wildlife habitat for small rodents which in tum feed the owl population. The wild flowers and tree blossom provide bee forage and habitat for insects. The meadow requires great care to establish and maintain. Cutting in July ensures weed seed has set and dropped before being removed. This part of the project could involve the local community in selection of apple varieties and in the establishment and monitoring and maintenance of the meadow, for wildlife and collection of fruit. Traditional scything may be the best way to maintain the grass, as strimming has a detrimental effect on insect populations.
Nearby RHS Rosemoor have spent much effort establishing wildflower meadows and may be able to advise with site preparation. A species-rich meadow includes yellow rattle to help reduce more vigorous grass varieties, whilst scarifying and planting small plug plants, as well as scraping off some top soil can help establishment. Where the apple trees themselves are to be planted, the soil must be deep ... Musk mallow, birdsfoot trefoil, knapweed, ox-eye daisies, geranium pretense, cowslip, milk maids, snakeshead fritillary, grape hyacinths, buttercup, camassia, foxes and cubs and gladiolus byzantinus are some of the species to be encouraged. Orchard link and Adam's Apples can provide advice. Laxton's fortune and Ashmeads kernel (both eating apple varieties) come recommended! Selecting fruit trees that will cross pollinate because they flower at the same time, as well as selecting the correct root stock for the desired size of tree are important considerations. Priming of apple trees takes place over the winter months ...Credit: Anthony Howe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-1LpikCSR4)
The addition of several groupings of Scots pine in the picnic area give a new sense of scale to this part of the site ... These wind resistant, native, fast-growing trees filter the wind with a graceful yet robust stature, and being evergreen, they provide all year-round interest ... The burnt orange colour and texture of the bark, especially, adds sensory impact. The height of the trees helps minimise the visual Impact of the play equipment, bringing a more unified and restful feel to the area, so that the benches, play area and three clusters of trees appear as part of the same design concept. The boulders, grasses and central undulating feather help to further unify the naturalistic aesthetic. These latter hard landscaping features take the play opportunity beyond the fenced area, offering climbing and jumping for children. The ornamental, rustic looking low-maintenance grasses elicit some of the exhilaration of being in rugged wild places. The car park could be further screened with vegetation to enhance the 'wilderness effect' further, although we were concerned not to impede direct access to tills part of the site from the parking area.
The vegetable 'parterre' consisting of pleasing geometrically-shaped raised beds fashioned from long lasting green oak sleepers provides the community with space to experiment with sustainable gardening practices. In between the beds, low-maintenance slate or shillet covers the ground to avoid the plot becoming muddy over the winter months. The shillet ground cover may also deter slugs. The inclusion of 3 water butts collecting rainwater from the roof of the village hall, and a compost heap immediately increase the sustainability co-efficient! The storage shed could be used to store some of the apple harvest if desired, as well as a good selection of garden tools. Four generously sized beds can be allocated to different community groups according to interest. Gardening has a proven track record of being a therapeutic stress-reducing activity ... Bordering the plot are 2 banks where flowers and herbs are grown to increase pollinators - lavender, rosemary and sedum on the sunny side; sweet scented winter-flowering box, hellebores and ferns on the shady side ...
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