Bunney's Field
This field was once owned by Mr Bunney and when it was purchased by the Harry Hames Trust on behalf of the Rothley Parish Council the name was retained. From a smallholding with a wonderful collection of farm machinery and hens it became a recreation ground for the village. It is also used for village events such as celebration picnics. It can get a bit waterlogged so any events are always subject to the weather!
Trees were planted on the boundary with Hallfields Lane and an old apple tree was retained. The Rothley Brook runs along one boundary and along Anthony Street there is a very overgrown and neglected hedgerow.
The pedestrian entrance is from Anthony Street and this was getting very overgrown with dogwood and blackthorn and weeds fast invading the paving. In 2011 it was time to move in with the gardening tools so that residents with children and pushchairs could get access without forging through the ever-increasing vegetation.
Thanks go to Steve for all his work on the project and making many visits to the green waste bins at the tip. This is also a place for general litter so constant monitoring is needed to keep this clean and tidy
Ken Bunney
The entrance from Anthony Street. Vegetation previously cut back and left in a heap to the right. Summer 2011
Vegetation previously cut back was left in a decaying heap to the right of the gate. 2011
Clearing the grass just inside the gate revealed the granite setts. 2011
The entrance area starts to be revealed. 2011
Years of neglect all cut back ready for the tip. 2011
The extent of the granite setts was soon revealed. 2011
Having cut back all the grass we could then see how much work had been put into creating the entrance. 2011
Getting there! 2011
Granite setts may look rural but they are very difficult to keep free of weeds and need constant attention. 2011
Almost there. 2011
Still working during the late autumn. 2011
Much better. 2011
Room for the gate to open and push in the pram! 2011
The edging revealed. 2011
All round the area. 2011
All we have to do now is keep it tidy.
All YOU have to do now is help us by not leaving litter!
2012 litter just inside the gate. Not to mention cans and packets.
If residents want a clean Rothley then please stop throwing your rubbish in public areas, especailly where there are young children.
A litter pick was done in early April 2013 around the area of the ditch by Hallfields Lane. However, we soon realised that this was going to be a mammoth task due to the length of the hedgerow opposite Dutchmans Wall, the overgrown area between this and the ditch and the inaccessibility of the immense amount of litter.
Action was needed! A letter was sent to Rothley Parish Council outlining the situation of this 'Grot Spot' and a meeting was held on site with the Chairman. In May 2013 it was agreed that the Harry Hames Trust would finance improvements including clearance of the site, a new fence, hedging and the tidying of the boundary with the Woodmans Stroke.
In the meantime, Steve Mitchell did a major cut back of the boundary and the Parish Council arranged for removal of the debris.
We are now waiting for confirmation of the final plan.
It also needs to be mentioned that any group using Bunney's Field must remove their equipment at the end of every session. There is no provision for storage and items left under cover of any hedgerow will be treated as fly-tipping.
March 2013. The area opposite the Dutchmans Wall which needs clearing out and the litter removed.
The area to the left to be cleared and the hedgerow to the right on the boundary of the Woodmans Stroke. The ancient apple tree is being cleared of ivy. March 2013
The ditch runs from Hallfields Lane, then goes under the field to the Rothley Brook. April 2013
The boundary hedgerow with the Woodmans Stroke is very overgrown and contains a great deal of litter. April 2013
Steve starts the clearance of overgrown shrubs. April 2013
Litter is a big problem in this hedgerow. April 2013
Two huge piles of vegetation waiting to be removed. April 2013
Blackthorn creeps and becomes dense. It is lovely to see it in the spring and its sloes have mnay uses but you can have too much of a good thing! April 2013
To find out what happened to improve this image and how we created a COMMUNITY ORCHARD please click on the following link
Bunney's Field also features in The Landscape of Rothley which can be accessed by clicking on the following link: