Kevin and Davie with Matthew Thornhill, Gemma McDonald and Lynsey Cordiner
We are delighted to continue our work with Matthew Thornhill of Newcastle City Council and Gemma McDonald and Lynsey Cordiner of Walking with the Wounded who deliver employment, mental health, care co-ordination and volunteering programmes in collaboration with the NHS to get those who served and their families whether mentally, socially or physically wounded, back on their feet and making a positive contribution once more. Marking out the hedgerows
Three projects are currently in progress, scheduled for completion in the 2021/2022 planting season.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT N
ewcastle Town Moors cover an area of 900+ acres making it larger than Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath combined and also larger than New York City’s Central Park (843 acres) The Town Moors reach Spital Tongues to the west, the City to the south, Gosforth to the north and Jesmond to the east. Whilst tree planting is important (see below) the moors themselves act as a giant sponge providing a natural flood defence for the city as well as a safe and vital habitat for wildlife which needs grassland to thrive and survive.
Tree Planting
We have commenced an ambitious programme of tree and hedge planting projects within the Town Moors of Newcastle. In doing so we have considered: • The aspiration of the Freemen to ensure that we, through management of the Town Moors, play a full role in contributing to Climate Change Mitigation.
10
Freemen Magazine
• Supporting the needs of Newcastle City Council climate emergency declaration. • Enhancing biodiversity. • Visual impact of the Town Moors. • Providing environments to encourage and support wildlife and insects. • Enhancing wildlife corridors. • Improving the overall air quality of the city. • Supporting the development of the North East Community Forest
The projects include planting on the Town Moor at: • Nuns Moor at Cowgate/Fouracres Road; • Nuns Moor South at Brighton Grove/ Barrack Road; • Nuns Moor South at Barrack Road/ Walter Terrace.
Cattle and Grazing
A
ll cattle are naturally grazed, grass fed with no additional requirement for manufactured supplements.
Drinking water is supplied from mains water system to ensure that there is no contamination from untreated water sources. Our staff perform daily checks on all grazing herds ensuring the daily health and welfare of all cattle. Any issues that may be identified are immediately acted upon. There is no mixing of herds to minimise the risk of any disease transmission. All cattle
“We have worked with Kevin and the team for many years now and we’re delighted to support the Freemen of Newcastle in their vital work to secure the grazing areas of the Town Moors” Peter Tinker, Scott Fencing
Mother and baby are thriving
In August, we installed new cattle pens on Dukes Moor.
are registered via the “farm records” system and have the necessary ear tags with all movement of cattle recorded and tracked via individual cattle passports.
Our facilities and systems are “Red Tractor” assured beef and lamb standards compliant, our procedures and risk assessments are all deemed to be compliant. We benefit from certified herd health plans and facilitate annual animal health and antibiotic usage reviews. Cattle are also required to be part of an ongoing disease prevention process with treatments administered prior to grazing on Town Moors. Freemen Magazine
11
