146 PRIEST'S MEADOW
PART OF THE OLD VICARAGE AND DIVIDED FROM IT BY ROTHLEY BROOK
OS REF: SK587125
Rough sketch of Priest's Meadow to show position of trees in October 2002
9th October 2002
This is a lovely field currently used for the grazing of cattle. The Rothley Brook forms one boundary, the drive to the Old Vicarage another with a lovely border border of trees and shrubs on the far side, the new vicarage forms another boundary and the other is along Hallfields Lane with a strip of woodland and understorey. On this latter boundary the Scots Pines really stand out as you approach Rothley along the old A6 and are quite a feature of Hallfields Lane.
A survey in 1988 describes this field as Improved Grassland but, as its name from old maps tells us, it was a meadow so perhaps it was full of wild flowers once upon a time.
Cows grazing in October 2002. Hallfields Lane to the right.
Rothley Brook to the left, Hallfields Lane to the right. October 2002
Looking into Priest's Meadow from The Grange Playing Field (Site 123). February 2007
Rothley Brook to the left and Hallfields Lane to the right. January 2007
Looking to Hallfields Lane. January 2007
The gardens of the Old Vicarage to the left over Rothley Brook and the 'new' vicarage to the right. January 2007
Looking to Hallfields Lane from the driveway to the Old Vicarage. January 2007
The row of Scots Pine on the boundary with Hallfields Lane. January 2007
There were many more Scots Pines in Hallfields Lane at one time as can be seen from photographs of old Rothley. Hundreds of Scots Pines were planted in Rothley many years ago and there are very few now left. There is a spinney on the Bridle Road to Thurcaston called Pine Spinney but the pines are on the ground rotting with age.
Tree 108 after loosing a major branch. Hallfields Lane to the right. January 2007
A pond cut out of Rothley Brook in 2002 for the cattle to drink. October 2002
Scots Pine are a feature of Hallfields Lane forming a boundary of Priest's Meadow. They are slowly being lost due to age. October 2002
The trees in Priest's Meadow have been recorded as part of the work of the Natural History Heritage Warden. Horse Chestnuts and Limes feature strongly in Rothley.
Tree 104 a Willow on the banks of Rothley Brook with a girth of 3.2m. October 2002
Tree 105 a Willow on the banks of Rothley Brook with a girth of 4.3m. October 2002
An old map shows a bridge over the brook and a building that could have been a barn. Nothing remains of either but it could well have been near the to where the gardens of the Old Vicarage meet the gardens of The Grange. At this point a channel was dug to take water from the brook through the gardens of The Grange to provide an ornamental water feature. (Site 122)
Rothley Brook looking into Priest's Meadow. Japanese Knotweed in the foreground. October 2002
One boundary has been constructed of old parkland style railings, again a feature of Rothley, and there is evidence of a parkland gatepost at the end of the strip of of woodland fronting Hallfields Lane. Two good stone pillars hold the entrance gate.
Tree 106 a Lime with a girth of 2.85m by the driveway to the Old Vicarage. October 2002
Tree stump 107, possibly Horse Chestnut, with a girth of 3.7m. Stumps need to be recorded as part of tree history. October 2002
A lovely autumn scene with cattle under Tree 108. October 2002
Fungi on Tree 108. October 2002
Tree 108 after loosing a major branch. January 2007
Tree 108 now open to more decay from the large hole left after loosing a major branch. January 2007
Tree 109 a Lime with a girth of 3.7m. October 2002
Tree 110 a Horse Chestnut with a girth of 3.0m looking good in October 2002
Sadly, Tree 110 blew over from its roots in October 2006. Photo taken January 2007
Tree 110 Blown over October 2006. January 2007
Tree 110 blown over October 2006. January 2007
SITE 146 PRIEST'S MEADOW IN 2015
From Hallfields Lane with The Old Vicarage to the left. February 2015
Priest's Meadow with Hallfields Lane behind the pines to the right. February 2015
Priest's Meadow with Rothley Brook on the left boundary and Hallfields Lane to the right. February 2015
Looking into Priest's Meadow from the Public Footpath between Hallfields Lane and Rothley Church and over Rothley Brook. February 2015
Winter Aconites on the left hand side of Rothley Brook with Priest's Meadow to the right. February 2015
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