Muchwood expansion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfmWi4_IRTc)
Credit: Holly Wilkinson
First Steps towards Muchwood’s Expansion
Nik Shelton
At the beginning of February members of our conservation teams from across our three counties joined forces with our partners at Muchwood to help plant a new boundary hedgerow, marking the first steps towards the expansion of this Green Burial site.
After the Muchwood Green Burial Site in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, was first established 25 years ago, the popularity of this nature-friendly way to be laid to rest has grown and the site has hosted nearly 800 burials, ash internments and scatterings.
As co-owners of the Muchwood business, the Wildlife Trust BCN alongside the Muchwood founders have purchased adjacent land that will almost double the size of the site. Whilst the existing site is not yet at full capacity, this new strip of land will take a couple of years to rewild from its former agricultural use before it is ready to host burials. By taking the first steps towards this gradual expansion, the sustainable future of this green burial ground is secured and ensures it can meet demand as more people opt to be buried in this beautiful natural setting.
Image credit: Holly Wilkinson
Image credit: Holly Wilkinson
To begin preparing this newly acquired land, members of our conservation teams from across our three counties joined forces with Muchwood founders, Chris and Jamie, to plant 700 Hawthorn whips in order to start the creation of a new boundary hedgerow. Despite the challenging ground conditions of former maize stubble and water-logged heavy clay, which provided tough conditions for us but will be fine for the hardy and native hawthorn plants we were planting, together we completed the entire row of hedging.
Image credit: Cathy (Muchwood manager)
Image credit: Nik Shelton
Image credit: Nik Shelton
Image credit: Nik Shelton
Whilst the hedgerow settles and starts growing as we head into Spring, the new strip of land will be sown with a special grass and wildflower mix and gently prepared in order to welcome nature, visitors and green burials in the coming years. Eventually, through the planting of a native tree on each grave, this new land will gradually transition towards a young woodland and provide a succession of habitats as the original site continues to mature.
Image credit: Cathy Dyer
Image credit: Cathy Dyer
Image credit: Cathy Dyer
Image credit: Cathy Dyer
Our Wildlife Trust BCN team were also treated to a tour of the existing burial site, helping to further integrate our partnership and pave the way for the future expansion and management of similar green burial sites elsewhere in our counties.
Whilst the new expansion is not currently open to visitors, the main gates are open from dawn to dusk and respectful visitors are encouraged.
If you would like to find out more about the site for yourself or a loved one, please visit www.muchwoodburials.co.uk or contact Cathy via the details below to arrange a bespoke visit.
Wildlife Trust members can enjoy a 5% discount on the current plot prices.
Muchwood Green Burial Ground, Muchwood Lane, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire.
Telephone: 07715 479009
Email: muchwoodgreen@yahoo.co.uk
Website: https://www.muchwoodburials.co.uk