Barn Hill Conservation Group (BHCG)

After a break of a few years, during which we could only flail-cut the meadows, hay harvesting re-commenced at Fryent Country Park this year.

This has been made possible by an Environmental Stewardship agreement with Natural England.

The cutting should commenced early in July. For conservation purposes the meadows have been divided into valuable semi-improved or rough grasslands (HK15); and species-rich grasslands (HK7).

The rough grassland meadows, which constitute the majority of the meadows, were cut first. To encourage invertebrate conservation, one-tenth of each of these meadows will be left uncut this year.

The species-rich meadows were cut after 15 July; - we are aiming to restore these meadows to conserve a particular type of grassland community. The whole of each field was cut.

For both types of meadow there will be some follow-up work in the late summer / autumn to reduce the thatch matt that has built up at the base of the sward.

Visitors are encouraged to visit Fryent Country Park to see the harvest and to keep a watch for potential problems. Peak times are during dry evenings, afternoons and at weekends, in that order. It is best to visit the harvest in groups of two or more.

The last hay harvesting here followed the stages below. These may vary this year:
1. The hay (grass and other meadow flowers) is cut during dry weather.
2. The cut material is left on the ground for about 24-48 hours, during which much of the internal water content of the material is lost.
3. Drying is facilitated by using a rotating fork to tedder (spread) the material, allowing air circulation and exposure to the sun.
4. When dry, the hay will be gathered into windrows (swathes of dried hay) prior to baling.
5. If it rains at any stage before collection, the material must be spread and dried again.
6. The hay is transported to the other farm.

Useful Contacts

Office hours: Brent Council Parks Service: telephone 020 8937 5619.

If an urgent situation arises out of office hours ‘phone the main Brent switchboard:
020 8937 1234 and ask for ‘Parks Standby’.

Briefly explain the nature of the urgency to the switchboard operator.
(If an emergency, ‘phone the Police or Fire Service first, if appropriate).

For less urgent enquiries use:
Office hours: Brent Councils Parks Service: telephone 020 8937 5619 (answerphone out of office hours). Ask for Malcolm, Kevin or Leslie.
Roe Green Walled Garden: volunteer team: (some days): 020 8206 0492
Police: non-emergencies:

Wembley Police: 020 8903 1212
The local Kingsbury Police: 020 8733 4256

The following group activities are being organised during the harvest:
Barn Hill Conservation Group: weekly conservation projects.
Kingsbury Walkers: meet at Bush Farm on Wednesday afternoons at 1.55pm each week
Butterfly Transect: Two transects, walked weekly.

Hay Meadows Survey Update 2008.

Hay Meadow Survey Update 2007.

Hay Meadow Survey Update 2006.

Hay Meadows Survey Update 2005.

A look at the history of the Hay Meadows.

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