Merchistoun Hall

Many thanks for Oliver Saunders at Horndean Parish Council for this write-up covering the status of Merchistoun Hall Grounds,

Merchistoun Hall is an important place for local people in Horndean and the surrounding area, providing premises where community groups can meet and where private functions such as weddings can take place. It is blessed with having very attractive grounds with lawns and large important trees within it and therefore also provides a parkland environment for people to enjoy all year round. Children’s play equipment is also present here and this is owned and managed by Horndean Parish Council.

In the summer of 2010 Horndean Parish Council utilised the assistance of a large group of local youth workers in order to improve the grounds, ensuring they were more accessible, generally tidier and also ecologically enhanced. The main focus of this work was to install proper paths so that people could walk around the grounds more safely and with more direction. The paths were constructed using good quality materials but were of basic design so as to keep costs to a reasonable level and to retain a wild feel to the area. The paths now ensure that people are encouraged to adhere to proper routes as they visit the area. This ensures the remaining areas are left undamaged so that wild plants and animals can colonise. The area is now roughly 80% comprised of native species.

As well as these path improvements much work was done to improve the overall appearance of the grounds by removing rubbish, repairing fences and walls and by painting certain items. This has not only meant the area is more pleasant to visit but has also encouraged members of the public to show more respect to the area. This increase in admiration for the area has surely contributed to the reduction in anti-social behaviour that is now seen here and that has in the past plagued Merchistoun Hall.

Many non-native trees and shrubs were also removed from the area therefore improving the land ecologically by allowing room for native plants to colonise. This colonisation by native plants was sped up by the planting of around 50 native trees and shrubs throughout the grounds. As well as this, the hedge along Portsmouth Road was re-stocked with new trees, although this has only had mixed success and so where needed will be lightly re-stocked again this winter. Many of the impressive yet non-native Horse Chestnut trees throughout the grounds were removed in order to minimise the number of foreign trees growing here and also to give those trees that do remain more room to expand their crowns. It is unfortunate that a non-native species of Moth has accidentally been introduced into this country and the larvae of these creatures annually attack Horse Chestnut trees giving their leaves a brown appearance long before autumn actually begins. The effects of the moth are not fatal to a healthy tree but will slow its growth and will give them an ugly appearance towards the end of summer. More native trees are due to be planted within the grounds this winter and they will be supplied through a grant run by the National Tree Council.

More work is still to be done at Merchistoun Hall including re-excavating the pond to prevent it from drying out in summer and providing additional benches throughout the area as well.

In the summer of 2011 the car park was also improved with assistance from Horndean Parish Council. This has also greatly improved the area and has not only alleviated some minor flood issues but has also enabled easier, safer parking and given the area a much smarter appearance as well.

Good luck to Merchistoun Hall and the grounds that it possesses in the future.                                 

Oliver Saunders
Senior Countryside Ranger for Horndean Parish Council
http://www.horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk/