Pool Piece 

The area known as Pool Piece is the last part of the old village common to survive. For centuries it was used by villagers as an area for grazing their livestock and later was developed into an orchard. The name originates from the time when there was a pool on part of the site. This was filled in at the beginning of the 20th century, and later attempts to restore it were turned down by county planning regulations.

Attempts to build on the land were defeated, and the area was bought by the Parish Council and designated as a public open space and children’s play area. However, its steep incline made access difficult, particularly for push chairs, the elderly, or disabled. This was compounded in wet weather when it became wet and muddy. The nature of the existing slope also made games very difficult, and there was only limited seating and no shelter.

A working group was set up to explore how Pool Piece could be improved as ‘a village green’. Following wide consultation within the village the group’s priorities were established. These were to provide a flat area for children to play as well as providing stimulating play equipment. The group also wanted to enable activities such as fetes, outside drama/music productions, picnics and provide a welcoming community area for residents and visitors to relax and play, also providing an attractive environment for wildlife. Following a successful bid to Biffa Award and working in partnership with Community Action Ledbury and District, the project was initiated in August 2013.

Stage one was to clear the land, cut hedges, prune trees and remove many of the more thuggish plants and weeds that had established themselves as well as clearing the stream that ran through the land which was often blocked and caused flooding in heavy rain.

The next stage was to reshape the landscape and provide a banked auditorium feature and an area of flat land for play, village games and activities. Land drains were dug to help alleviate flooding. Following consultation with the children in the village play equipment and games were selected and additional paths and seating established. Key features were the construction of a curved bridge to improve access on to the site as well as the building of an open-sided wooden shelter to provide shade and protection from inclement weather. The emphasis throughout the project was to create an attractive and natural area. To reinforce these aims areas around the stream have been planted with snowdrops, native daffodils and snakes head fritillaries. In addition, 17 native species of marsh loving plants were introduced along the stream and new hedging, shrubs and trees were planted. These have already helped in creating a more environmentally attractive area to encourage insects and bird life.

Members of the community have undertaken a range of activities including the making of wicker gates, seats, weeding and planting as well as contributing play materials and games for the children and ideas for future activities. Children have helped in clearing the stream, trimming trees and hedges and acting as guardians to the site, reporting any litter or damage caused by people or the weather.