Please view our Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/2022 here
A Quiet Place for Nature and Relaxation
Keeping Hockley’s trees healthy and safe
Contractors working on behalf of the Parish Council have recently undertaken a survey of all trees growing in the council’s open spaces. As a result, residents can expect to see tree work taking place over the next few weeks. Coppicing will also recommence at the Marylands Nature Reserve.
Winter 2017/18 5 Year Regeneration Plan
Over the next 5 years the parish council, through its contractor Constable Landscapes, will embark on a comprehensive programme of work in the nature reserve in order to ensure it continues to provide a valuable place for wildlife and an important recreational and educational feature for the residents of Hockley.
The parish council sought the advice of the Essex Wildlife Trust who recommended the site should be developed as a mosaic of woodland, parkland and open grassland. Selective thinning of woodland, the creation of scalloped bays along the main ride and increased parkland habitat will diversify the woodland component of the site leading to an increase of flora and fauna throughout.
This winter will see scrub being cleared from below selected trees in the meadow in order to afford them more growing space and light and scrub encroachment cut back. In the woodland area a limited number of tall trees with interlocking canopies which restrict light to the woodland floor will be coppiced and weak trees, excessive seedlings and sapling growth weeded out. The ‘scalloping’ of the heavy hawthorn growth along the main ride will assist in encouraging a diverse flora and insect population.
Should you require further information then please contact the office on 01702 207707 email: enquiries@hockley-essex.gov.uk
What to look out for in the nature reserve this autumn – Look in the hedge to the right of the entrance to see the beautiful pink fruits of the spindle tree. As winter comes on and the tree loses it leaves the four sectioned berries open to show the bright orange seeds inside, giving it the old fashioned name of ‘hearts-a-burstin’ or strawberry tree.
May 2017 Future plans for Marylands Nature Reserve
The Environmental Committee is working with Essex Ecology Services Ltd, a branch of the Essex Wildlife Trust towards implementing a five-year plan for the improvement of the Marylands Nature Reserve which is expected to start in 2017/18. The majority of the site will be managed woodland but leaving some of the site as more wild and unmanaged. The plan proposes creating ‘bays’ along the main ride to encourage butterflies and insects and provide small wildlife sanctuaries and clearing selective wooded areas and scrubland to enable selective trees to mature. Previous plantings of fruit trees can be supplemented and incorporated into a community orchard.
Please Note: The Kissing Gate on Footpath 13 is closed. Essex County Council has confirmed that the public have no right to cross the boundary to get to the path. Please use other access points.
- A new Interpretation Board was installed in 2017.
- The path at Marylands Nature Reserve was completed in September 2016
- In 2014 we successfully applied for a match funded grant from the Community Initiative Fund for a new circular pathway in Marylands Nature Reserve to enable visitors to enjoy easier access. The Parish Council contracted a local company who completed almost 900 square metres of new pathways. During 2016 the council are planning to make further improvements to the pathway from the main entrance at Plumberow Avenue.



