New Pollinator Glade For Pickering

The Duchy’s Rural Team went ‘back to the land’ this month, planting a new pollinator glade around two commemorative oak trees at Pickering Woods in Yorkshire.

The oak trees were planted on 2^nd July 1975 by Her Majesty The Queen as Duke of Lancaster and High Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. In preparation for the Platinum Jubilee Year in 2022 it was decided that the surrounding meadow should be planted with a selection of snowdrops, bluebells, aconites, fritillaria, spring crocuses, tulips and daffodils to create an attractive, sustainable and bee-friendly setting for all to enjoy.

Duchy staff, including CEO Nathan Thompson and Head of Rural Carol Hawkey joined the Rural Surveyors to plant over 2,500 bulbs on the site which forms part of Pickering Woods and sits alongside Pickering Beck.

Commenting on the day, Head of Rural Carol said: “Sustainability and environmental responsibility are key areas of focus for the Duchy across its rural estates. We want to lead by example and to encourage not only our own tenants but all members of the local community to do their bit to protect pollinators and increase biodiversity. Hopefully this colourful and pollen-rich woodland glade will attract lots of butterflies and bees to the Pickering Woods in the years ahead as well as providing a joyous splash of colour throughout the Spring..”

Pickering Woods sits within the Duchy’s historic Pickering Estate which covers some 988 hectares and includes 283 hectares of mixed forestry. The estate forms part of the Yorkshire Survey which also includes estates in Cloughton, Goathland and Pontefract.