South Wye is home to a population of 22,000, and includes the estates of, Hinton, Hunderton, Newton Farm, Redhill, Belmont and Putson, amongst others. Our Business Plan gives more details of the area.
The Trust’s remit is to improve the lives of those who work and live in South Wye.
The Team works from The Kindle Centre.
A green oasis on the southern edge of the city, Belmont Haywood Country Park offers so much for so many, all free of charge and health-giving.
Those living locally to the park can access Belmont Haywood Country Park from Waterfield Road or Cedar / Sycamore Avenue but for those travelling from further afield there is a car park off Waterfield Road.
The park has been developing since the farm land was passed to Herefordshire Council. Passed on through Charles Church Housing as a planning condition for the building of a small estate of 69 houses just within the boundary of the city / Newton Farm Ward 7 years ago. It lies alongside Newton Meadows, the Belmont pools and Newton Coppice.
As a country park much of the 18 acre site is wild grassland. However, selected areas have been mown to allow children and families space to play games. Games such as football or rounders. There is a small play area with equipment for younger children to enjoy. In addition to this there are picnic benches and places to sit all around the park.
With many species of trees, including ancient oak trees. There is also an historic variety pear and apple orchard, a traditionally laid hedge and stumperies. Wild flowers bloom in the spring and summer followed by fruits and berries in the Autumn.
The Belmont pool allows swans, moorhens, a variety of ducks and other water fowl to glide gracefully across its surface. You may even be lucky enough to spot terrapins that bask in the sunshine when the weather is warm. There is also an occasional visit by a heron looking for lunch if you’re lucky enough to spot one at Belmont Haywood Country Park.
Belmont Haywood Country Park’s recently restored footways meander across and around the park. Allowing access for people to enjoy the area whether on foot, on a bicycle, in a pushchair or on a mobility scooter. There is also a boardwalk across the end of the lower Belmont pool. This gives complete circular access around the park thus avoiding venturing out onto Haywood Lane.
The park is looked after in the main by the volunteer group, the Country Park Supporters (CPS). The CPS work tirelessly to complement occasional work carried out by Herefordshire Council’s contractors Balfour Beatty.
CPS raised funds to purchase equipment to help maintain the park, in addition to a storage facility to house this equipment.
They also raised funds to enable signage to the park and information boards relating to flora and fauna within the park. CPS are always looking for volunteer help and monetary donations. The CPS can only operate thanks to the revenue funding contributions made each year by Hereford City Council.
The Hereford Labyrinth is a South Wye Development Project.
All the money to build it was raised entirely by donations and it was created by volunteers.
The design for the Labyrinth was inspired by the Mappa Mundi. This is a medieval Map housed in a specially built new building at Hereford Cathedral. It dates back from around the end of the thirteenth century. The tiny drawing of the labyrinth can be found on the island of Crete. It is only a few centimetres across.
A Labyrinth can be thought of as a being different from a maze. A maze is set up as a puzzle with many choices. However, the Labyrinth has but one path to the centre, and just one choice – the decision to follow the path.
"You enter a maze to lose yourself and a labyrinth to find yourself"
The Hereford Labyrinth is a permanent installation 20 metres in diameter. Earth has been used to form a circular mound around the perimeter of the labyrinth.
It is a contemporary Earthwork placed between the ancient Earthworks of the Medieval Bank and Ditch and the Monumental remains of Hereford Castle.
Walking is known to be good for the management of stress in addition to an effective antidepressant. Therefore walking a Labyrinth is a special focused form of walking.
For those of us continuously driven to attain goals in life and work, the labyrinth provides an exercise in relaxation. In going with the flow, we know that we can enjoy the journey for its own sake. Relax in the knowledge that the goal will be there waiting for us when we arrive.
This 'letting go' process of walking the labyrinth calms the busy mind. It allows for an inner reflection and contemplation. Furthermore, it allows more creative problem-solving.
"Solvitur ambulando" (It is solved by walking) – Saint Augustine
The Kindle Centre
ASDA Supermarket
Belmont Road
Hereford HR2 7JE
Telephone: 01432 278070
Email: info@kindlecentre.org.uk
