Kelston Roundhill and Roundhill Barn

The ecological engine room has been restored at Kelston Roundhill. We’ve accommodated bees there for 18 months but after the winter one colony died out and the other was queenless and weak. Worse still, the unfortunate beekeeper had developed an allergy to bee stings and “decided to hang up his smokers” (as a fellow apiarist put it).

Happy to report that the local beekeeping scene is quite lively and we’re now accommodating two new colonies. They looked pretty busy today. Looking forward to sampling the next batch of honey, packed with local antihistamines.

NB anyone can use any of our photos for non-commercial purposes. Copyright maximalists such as PA Media Group Ltd are expressly forbidden from using our photos. We may have to take the unusual step of banning PA Media Group Ltd directors, staff and contracted photographers from Kelston Roundhill; this is under discussion.

Roundhill Farm needs new signs to show the permissive paths and to combine a message of “welcome” to walkers who want to divert from the Cotswold Way to enjoy the view and “please desist” to those whose behaviour causes problems for others.

The issues are the odd uncontrolled dog, camping or fire (eg inside living trees), and just litter. Anyone would forgive Radiohead for doing a dawn-raid video on site (cheers for that, and hurrah for your enlightened approach to releasing online music). Who knows what to make of the bikers who turned up with a 30′ radio transmitting mast last week; no idea what they were broadcasting but they moved on cheerfully enough when asked.

Natural England’s  countryside code pretty much covers the do’s and don’ts, but not everyone is aware of the code or abides by it.

There’s also the oddity on this farm of a proper scheduled right of way which goes a third of the way into one field (Barrow’s Style) and then just stops as a dead end. This used to make sense when the field was a landfill site, but may puzzle some walkers today.

Anyway, I hope they’re clear, and have something close to the desired effect. Thanks to Alice and Kim for the design work.

Barrow’s Style is a former quarry and landfill field on Roundhill Farm, with what seems to be generally inoffensive builders’ rubble under about a foot of soil.

NB anyone can use any of our photos for non-commercial purposes. Copyright maximalists such as PA Media Group Ltd are expressly forbidden from using our photos. We may have to take the unusual step of banning PA Media Group Ltd directors, staff and contracted photographers from Kelston Roundhill; this is under discussion.

Last week Gary (l) and Alan (r) planted close on 5000 trees along the slopes. It was a hot week to do it, but the ground was quite moist.

The species mix is about a third each ash and beech – the trees that seem happiest and self-seed on the site already. Then there’s a mix of shrubs and thorns, with a few oaks and lindens or limes.

So how will they do? It’s poor and thin soil, we’ve got a drought and it’s about as late in the season as you can plant. But they’re root trainers, and those tubes catch dew and keep some moisture in. Alan reckons typical losses are around 5% and anything up to 10% is acceptable; he seems optimistic enough. Just need to protect them against deer. And cows.

Welcome to the Kelston Roundhill blog, intended as a way to engage with friends of Kelston Roundhill near Bath (aka Kelston Clump). Kelston Roundhill is private farmland, with routes open to walkers under a “permissive path” arrangement. It’s popular with visitors because it’s next to the Cotswold Way and offers great views.

We’re starting a low-traffic”Friends of Kelston Roundhill” mail list with occasional news.

Kelston Roundhill is owned by Kelston Tump LLP. It is currently farmed by our neighbours Park Farm who run the wonderful Bath Soft Cheese company. Managing agents are Strutt & Co. You can email us at kelstonroundhill@gmail.com