Richmondshire Landscape Trust
“to maintain, conserve, and enhance the unique qualities of the landscape around Richmond and Richmondshire for the improvement of the environment and the recreation of the public in the interests of social welfare”
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Ground Report
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Events
Guided Walk - Meet at the Westfield allotment car park/turning circle DL10 4DD. Limited parking available
Monday 226th May 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Owned and managed by Richmondshire Landscape Trust, Westfield has an interesting history and ongoing relationship with our town. Enjoy an informal walk through undulating grazing land and to our wild flower meadow. Possibly rough in places.
Free event - All welcome, members, friends and visitors.
Stout footwear advised.
News
It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of our former Chair – Frank Gibbon last week .Frank was our founding chairman and a driving force behind the Trust and what was at that time known as ROSA – the Richmondshire Open Spaces Appeal.
It was his enthusiasm and drive which brought together a disparate set of people who were worried about various open spaces being potentially sold by the District Council back in 2004 and he channelled that energy and concern into a coherent group which went on to successfully raised £120,000 to buy the land and to evolve into a highly successful land management charity. The picture was taken in 2009 and shows Frank presenting a photo to the then Mayor of Richmond, David Gilson, celebrating the construction of the dry stone seat in the 9 acre field which had been opened by school children from the methodist school. Frank left a huge legacy from his many contributions in life – from being a family man and his work as a solicitor to his contributions to cricket and rugby. If you want to see his physical legacy in Richmond then just look around you at some of our beautiful countryside and open spaces which Frank led the preservation of for current and future generations
A Busy Day in Westfields and Nine Acres Meadow
!5th July 2025
Saturday was a busy day on the Landscape Trust land. Elaine, our trustee and volunteer coordinator took a group including myself to do some weed clearing and dry-stone walling in the meadow below Westfields. We cleared a path through the brambles and thistles to the lovely stone seat there and cleared along the walls to allow access to them for future maintenance. We left a large patch of thistles in the corner though as there are many butterflies and insects that use them including lots of gatekeeper butterflies on Saturday.
Whilst this was happening the hay on the meadow which had been cut previously was being turned to release the seeds and bailed for hay so two tractors were working in the normally peaceful meadow. The hay bales were removed leaving the seed on the land for next year’s meadow.
Also, Scott Foster was replacing the damaged gate between Westfield and the 9-acre meadow. The wood had rotted so it was replaced with a wider gateway (for easier access) and a pull handle.
Once we had cleared the seat area, Elaine took the group to the lower part of the meadow and taught the basics of repairing a damaged wall, there is certainly a lot to learn!
In all a very busy and successful morning. Thanks to the volunteers and to Scott Foster for his work on the gate. there are photos below but please go and walk in the meadow and see the progress for yourselves if you are able. Most of the flowers have gone now but the view over to Richmond castle from the seat is magnificent.
Tree planting News
We are delighted to tell you that we have had a grant from the Tree Council to plant more trees across three pieces of land that the Trust runs. The planting has been completed in conjunction with ‘Just the Job’ from Richmond https://www.just-the-job.org.uk
The first work was carried out in Southbank Middle Field (see maps in The Land section of this website) with 30m of new hedgerow of mixed native species and 4 hedgerow trees.
In Whitefields we have planted a small orchard of 9 native fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, cherry and damson) so watch out for those establishing this year, and 1 Field Maple at the southern entrance (not planted yet). I am sure their development will be reported on our Facebook page (Richmondshire Landscape Trust).
Lastly in Westfields a new hedge of 80 plants has been laid along the bottom of the quarry around the existing old Hawthorns, this will be fenced off soon before the sheep start grazing this year.
Many thanks to the land team for applying for the grants, purchasing the trees and organising the planting.
Outcomes of the EGM 20th January 2024
Thanks to everyone who attended the general meeting of Richmondshire Landscape Trust (RLT) in Richmond townhall and to many of you who got in touch with your support. The two main motions put to the vote were carried unanimously.
The first was that the Trust should move towards becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (as described in the letter from Gordon Love). The trustees are now working to bring this about.
The second was that Elizabeth Downes was voted in as the new chair when Gordon stepped down at the meeting. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Gordon who has been chair of the trust for many years. He remains a trustee and an integral
member of the team.
A Busy Day in Westfields and Nine Acres Meadow
!5th July 2025
Saturday was a busy day on the Landscape Trust land. Elaine, our trustee and volunteer coordinator took a group including myself to do some weed clearing and dry-stone walling in the meadow below Westfields. We cleared a path through the brambles and thistles to the lovely stone seat there and cleared along the walls to allow access to them for future maintenance. We left a large patch of thistles in the corner though as there are many butterflies and insects that use them including lots of gatekeeper butterflies on Saturday.
Whilst this was happening the hay on the meadow which had been cut previously was being turned to release the seeds and bailed for hay so two tractors were working in the normally peaceful meadow. The hay bales were removed leaving the seed on the land for next year’s meadow.
Also, Scott Foster was replacing the damaged gate between Westfield and the 9-acre meadow. The wood had rotted so it was replaced with a wider gateway (for easier access) and a pull handle.
Once we had cleared the seat area, Elaine took the group to the lower part of the meadow and taught the basics of repairing a damaged wall, there is certainly a lot to learn!
In all a very busy and successful morning. Thanks to the volunteers and to Scott Foster for his work on the gate. there are photos below but please go and walk in the meadow and see the progress for yourselves if you are able. Most of the flowers have gone now but the view over to Richmond castle from the seat is magnificent.
Tree planting News
We are delighted to tell you that we have had a grant from the Tree Council to plant more trees across three pieces of land that the Trust runs. The planting has been completed in conjunction with ‘Just the Job’ from Richmond https://www.just-the-job.org.uk
The first work was carried out in Southbank Middle Field (see maps in The Land section of this website) with 30m of new hedgerow of mixed native species and 4 hedgerow trees.
In Whitefields we have planted a small orchard of 9 native fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, cherry and damson) so watch out for those establishing this year, and 1 Field Maple at the southern entrance (not planted yet). I am sure their development will be reported on our Facebook page (Richmondshire Landscape Trust).
Lastly in Westfields a new hedge of 80 plants has been laid along the bottom of the quarry around the existing old Hawthorns, this will be fenced off soon before the sheep start grazing this year.
Many thanks to the land team for applying for the grants, purchasing the trees and organising the planting.
Outcomes of the EGM 20th January 2024
Thanks to everyone who attended the general meeting of Richmondshire Landscape Trust (RLT) in Richmond townhall and to many of you who got in touch with your support. The two main motions put to the vote were carried unanimously.
The first was that the Trust should move towards becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (as described in the letter from Gordon Love). The trustees are now working to bring this about.
The second was that Elizabeth Downes was voted in as the new chair when Gordon stepped down at the meeting. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Gordon who has been chair of the trust for many years. He remains a trustee and an integral
member of the team.
A Busy Day in Westfields and Nine Acres Meadow
!5th July 2025
Saturday was a busy day on the Landscape Trust land. Elaine, our trustee and volunteer coordinator took a group including myself to do some weed clearing and dry-stone walling in the meadow below Westfields. We cleared a path through the brambles and thistles to the lovely stone seat there and cleared along the walls to allow access to them for future maintenance. We left a large patch of thistles in the corner though as there are many butterflies and insects that use them including lots of gatekeeper butterflies on Saturday.
Whilst this was happening the hay on the meadow which had been cut previously was being turned to release the seeds and bailed for hay so two tractors were working in the normally peaceful meadow. The hay bales were removed leaving the seed on the land for next year’s meadow.
Also, Scott Foster was replacing the damaged gate between Westfield and the 9-acre meadow. The wood had rotted so it was replaced with a wider gateway (for easier access) and a pull handle.
Once we had cleared the seat area, Elaine took the group to the lower part of the meadow and taught the basics of repairing a damaged wall, there is certainly a lot to learn!
In all a very busy and successful morning. Thanks to the volunteers and to Scott Foster for his work on the gate. there are photos below but please go and walk in the meadow and see the progress for yourselves if you are able. Most of the flowers have gone now but the view over to Richmond castle from the seat is magnificent.
Tree planting News
We are delighted to tell you that we have had a grant from the Tree Council to plant more trees across three pieces of land that the Trust runs. The planting has been completed in conjunction with ‘Just the Job’ from Richmond https://www.just-the-job.org.uk
The first work was carried out in Southbank Middle Field (see maps in The Land section of this website) with 30m of new hedgerow of mixed native species and 4 hedgerow trees.
In Whitefields we have planted a small orchard of 9 native fruit trees (apple, pear, plum, cherry and damson) so watch out for those establishing this year, and 1 Field Maple at the southern entrance (not planted yet). I am sure their development will be reported on our Facebook page (Richmondshire Landscape Trust).
Lastly in Westfields a new hedge of 80 plants has been laid along the bottom of the quarry around the existing old Hawthorns, this will be fenced off soon before the sheep start grazing this year.
Many thanks to the land team for applying for the grants, purchasing the trees and organising the planting.
Outcomes of the EGM 20th January 2024
Thanks to everyone who attended the general meeting of Richmondshire Landscape Trust (RLT) in Richmond townhall and to many of you who got in touch with your support. The two main motions put to the vote were carried unanimously.
The first was that the Trust should move towards becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (as described in the letter from Gordon Love). The trustees are now working to bring this about.
The second was that Elizabeth Downes was voted in as the new chair when Gordon stepped down at the meeting. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Gordon who has been chair of the trust for many years. He remains a trustee and an integral
member of the team.