066/365 Fowlmead

Fowlmead Country Park, opened in 2007 is a new nature reserve and leisure park that has been regenerated from the former Betteshanger Colliery spoil tip. The area has been landscaped with extensive planting of native plants and trees although it will be some years before they reach maturity. Whilst this appears a great project for the environment it is a real shame that the mining heritage has been forgotten. Everyone in the area refers to the area as Betteshanger so it beats me why the bureaucrats had to invent the Fowlmead name. When the park was opened I played at the opening event with the Betteshanger Brass Band.