Hope Show has combined forces with Hope Valley Climate Action and Hope Valley Farmers group to establish a new hedgerow along its western boundary.
The new hedge will create an attractive landscape feature but will also provide a valuable wildlife habitat for species such as bats, insects and birds such as the dunnock, whitethroat, chaffinches and linnets who will feed and nest in mature hedgerows.
The new hedge was planted by volunteers from Hope Valley Climate Action and the hedge plants and trees were supplied by the Woodland Trust by arrangement with the Hope Valley Farmers group.
Andrew Critchlow, Vice Chairman of Hope Show was instrumental in the organising of the new hedge planting and he is delighted the plans have come to fruition. He says, “Until now, an old post and wire fence provided a boundary to the showground so creating a new hedge seemed like an ideal way of creating a wildlife corridor but also making a bio-secure boundary with our neighbours.
“We are very grateful to the volunteers from Hope Valley Climate Action for giving up their weekend to plant the hedge. They have done a fantastic job and we are now looking forward to seeing the hedge grow.
“Hedgerows provide a home for wildlife but they also sequester and store carbon as they photosynthesize and grow. This is just one of the ways Hope Show plans to help fight against climate change in the coming years; we also plan to plant more trees on the showground next winter.”
This hedge was one of twelve new hedges created across the Hope Valley by the partnership between Hope Valley Farmers, the Woodland Trust and Hope Valley Climate Action. A further 2000 trees were also planted on fifteen farms.
Preparations are now underway for Hope Show 2023 which takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday and will include classes for sheep, cattle, horses as well as the popular craft and food tents and exciting Main Ring attractions.