Inside Salisbury - Weekend Special

Christmas trees, wildlife, water meadows and the sad tale of the conjoined twins

From Festive to Nature-Loving

Traditionally, Christmas decorations come down on the 12th night and that is January 5, but what do you do with your real Christmas tree?  

While there are collection services, consider helping nature by making a wildlife habitat using the tree in the garden. If you have a tree with a root, it can be transferred outside, planted in a pot or in the ground and used year after year. If not, simply tuck into a corner or under a hedgerow if you have one. 

It can be cut up and stacked which is perfect for wildlife. Add some extra twigs, leaves or natural materials and it will provide shelter for many animals and insects.

We all know that winter months can be tough for nature, so use the tree as a fruit holder. Lean the tree against a fence or wall, or fix it into the ground and add pieces of fruit to the branches. Apples and bananas will attract some butterflies like the Red Admiral as it overwinters here and on a day when the sun emerges, you are likely to see them flying about. 

The tree can also be used as a frame to hang bird food. 

Rather than just giving the tree to a collection service, at least this way, you will know that you have helped wildlife to survive a cold spell. 

Drowning the Harnham Water Meadows

One of England's most well-known meadow irrigation systems is Harnham Water Meadows which is located at the confluence of two rivers - the Nadder and the Avon. 

The views across the meadows are famous and have been captured in photographs and paintings. Consider John Constable's painting of the Salisbury Cathedral from across the water meadows. It is an idyllic scene but the water meadows are a remnant of a bygone time when people toiled the land and worked to the seasons. 

Each year, the meadows are drowned which is a centuries-old technique and to understand why, we have to turn our attention back to what was termed the 'sheep and corn economy' which was vital for Salisbury and surrounding areas.