Lakin Farm

The Lakin Farm has some very neglected fields. Some are so bad that they have been inaccessible for many years.

Part of the problem is the lay of the land. A couple of the fields sit in a natural bowl and are very wet and boggy as a result.

The other part of the problem is caused by regular flooding from a nearby river which has a big log jam in it.

I took this picture at the junction of two drains which form the corner of one of my ‘fields’. As far as I could see from my side of the ditch the trees and shrubs carry on forever.

The green patch at the right of the photograph was once the start of the field.

There is no way of getting to the other side as the mud in the ditch is a least chest high.

John Luke and I tested it with a pole, and agreed it was a complete death trap.

I have spent a couple of days cutting away the trees on one side of the ditch in order that, one day, I will be able to dig out the drain and get the land dry again.

It took me two days to clear about 30ft of trees, shrubs and brambles.

The drain/ditch is about a quarter of a mile long. So I reckon it will be at least a year before I finish clearing it.

Then I will start the ditch on the other side of the field.