Early Friday morning I finally got into the wildlife garden in Ellington Park. It has been an interesting wait, watching each new development. Digging the pond, laying out paths, planting a hedge, the placing of the seats and bug
hibernation boxes and the dogs.
There are several different dogs, the first one (see above) I had thought was made of wicker - it is iron, beautiful rusty iron and the breed of dog is on its collar. There are a couple of stone dogs, a wooden one, one chasing a squirrel up a tree and two made from moss stuffed frames (see below).
One of the many benches. The Friends of Ellington Park have not made the mistake that other wildlife refuges have made - here there is plenty of seating essential for watching wildlife.
The pond is already beginning to look very good. I have often seen birds enjoying a drink and I was pleased to see lots of tadpoles swimming around this morning.
Once off the slightly raised 'all weather' walkway the log edged grass paths meander about, past the dogs and the seats.
As well as the bug cube and the other hideholes created for the creepycrawlies by one of the seats some pots of herbs have been planted - rosemary and lavendar should provide food for bees.
I cannot have been the only person who had struggled with the gates because by today there was a note on both gates explaining how to get through the child proof gates.
This squirrel was in the other side of the park. He seemed almost determined to have his picture taken, remaining quiet close to the path letting me close enough to take lots of photos.
Today is the opening of the WILDLIFE GARDEN in Ellington Park, Ramsgate. I have been watching the hard work of the FRIENDS OF ELLINGTON PARK for quite a while. The area has been fenced off while the pond has been marked out, dug, lined, filled and planted. Logs have been placed around the sides of the pond to provide homes for some of the creatures.
Several dogs are patrolling the garden.
Along the path information boards are placed. The gates are locked as I walk through the park early in the morning. Sensible as there has been some vandalism.
friends of ellington park
the FRIENDS OF ELLINGTON PARK are doing so much to make the park an exciting place to go.
I will have to make a visit later in the day to get a closer look at everything.
Plenty of seats of all types to relax on and enjoy the garden.
The story tellers seat.
A guardian for the garden?
Ellington Park in Ramsgate is becoming a very interesting place to visit.
http://www.friendsofellingtonpark.org.uk/
The excellent work done by the Friends of Ellington Park is progressing well and detours are needed to ensure nothing gets missed.
A
couple of weeks ago I noticed this Jack Tar had joined the soldier, he
is a over to the left as you come through the main entrance.
I can only suppose that soon an airman will be joining his fellow servicemen as Manston Airfield is so close.
As
I said it is important to keep eyes open while walking through the
park. I don't know how I missed this badger checking things out before
leaving his den.
He has been there for some time I think but the bird on the other side of the stump is fairly new.
In Ellington Park, Ramsgate this year some tree stumps have become owls, squirrels, a toadstool home for fairy folk and an amazing sculpture of a WW1 soldier. So when I saw work being started on this felled tree I spent a lot of time trying to decide what it was going to be. The work is being done by Andrew Stevens and I am in awe of his talent. I keep looking at his website to see his other creations.
http://www.tribalanimal.co.uk/
This is bigger than the other carvings in the park so took longer before there were many clues to what it would end up being.
Every time I walked through the park a little more detail had been done.
There is even detail at the ends of the tree, and a butterfly rests on the top. A snake sliding along the leaves. And a ladybird, a dragonfly, and some flowers nestle amoungst the leaves.
It soon becomes clear that it is a bench, a beautiful, stand up to anything bench, covered with flowers and insects.
Burning the wood brings out details that might be missed
Now I wander all the corners of the park whenever possible so as not to miss any more wonderful carvings. I am so pleased that as yet nobody has felt the need to damage these works of art.
The Friends of Ellington Park are doing such a wonderful job and are making even a quick walk through the park on the way to work exciting. I am looking forward to seeing other projects develop.
http://www.friendsofellingtonpark.org.uk/
A few month ago when walking through Ellington Park in Ramsgate I saw this beautiful woodcarving. I am very glad that it hasn't been vandalised and I admire it every time I walk through the park. For a while I didn't know who the sculptor was but a friend found the story in the local paper and from that I found Andrew Stevens website.
http://www.tribalanimal.co.uk/
Last Friday some more carvings had just been finished - two owls and a squirrel. Another tree stump near the main entrance to the park was used for these. I walked all around them to see every detail.
By Monday morning the wood had been burnt (in a similar way to the soldier) which brings a greater depth to the sculptures.
To the right of the park as you come in the main entrance a toadstool has been carved. I was thrilled when I looked closely to find a flight of steps and a fairy door at the top of them.
The work that THE FRIENDS OF ELLINGTON PARK are doing is fantastic. They are working so hard to make this park a pleasant place to be.
http://www.friendsofellingtonpark.org.uk/
The big question now is .....
what is this going to be.
