Autumn in St Giles Hill Park

Last week, our guided Autumn Colours Walk through St Giles Hill Park was well attended with guests being able to take in the colours, the views and even a bit of the science related to leaf colour changes and leaf fall. Certainly, this year is proving to be an extended Autumn and even though leaf fall is largely a response to the lengthening of the darkness other factors do play a part and still,  mild weather is amongst these.

After viewing the trees of the Park and taking in the overall view of leafy Winchester the walk continued to take in some of the outstanding trees along the Weirs and in Abbey Gardens before we became guests of The Mayor in Abbey House who most generously gave a tour of the property and its history before tea, coffee and biscuits were enjoyed by all.

One tree that has a special place, the beech on the platform on the South Side of the Park has now had a dangerous limb removed which should allow for Ben’s Seat to be returned to the platform.   

I will be discussing some further tree work planned for this winter with the City Council's Tree Officer, Andrew Giles, later this week.  It looks like the comprehensive works to the north of the Main Viewpoint may be postponed, given that the ash trees have a rallied a little in the more favourable and wetter summer, though their fate remains inevitable. Nonetheless there will be some tree and shrub work again with a focus on the viewpoints.