British Sugar TOPSOIL were delighted to have been asked to support Thornham Walks again with 40t of topsoil for their pioneering paths project.
The new accessible footpath is the first of its kind in Suffolk, created using 5,262 recycled tyres. This new all access surface is dementia-friendly, slip-resistant, porous and kinder to joints. However, this new surface has raised the footpath by 3.5 cm therefore to ensure the well-being and safety of visitors, British Sugar TOPSOIL donated natural topsoil to bridge the area allowing people to use the new footpath safely.
Irene Tibbenham, Treasurer of the Friends of Thornham Walks, said: “We would like to say thank you to British Sugar TOPSOIL for their kind donation to this important project. The topsoil delivered was of a superb quality, being a sandy loam topsoil which was the perfect medium for grass seed to germinate and grow. We also expect these grass sections to stay green during the summer, as the clay holds the water better.”
The total length of the new footpath is ¾ miles and since September volunteers have been disturbing the new soil along the pathway and sowing grass seed.
The Friends of Thornham Walk hope that the new innovative footpath will encourage more people to visit Thornham Walks. This safe, accessible environment is surrounded by the wonderful landscape of the Thornham Estate.
Since they opened in the 1980’s, Thornham Walks has given thousands of visitors access to nature. Nature is known to be beneficial for peoples physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing as green spaces can help reduce stress, anger, and anxiety, as well as enhancing relaxation and restoration. Thornham Walks is a destination everyone can walk, regardless of the weather and their ability.
Together, Friends of Thornham Walks and the Thornham Settled Estate secured funding for the project from Mid Suffolk District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Community Development Fund and this was complemented by capital from Friends of Thornham Walks.
Thornham Walks stretches for over 12 miles and is open to the public. As are part of the Thornham Estate, situated near Eye in Suffolk and owned by the Henniker-Major family. The Walks continue the vision of the 8th Lord Henniker who believed the estate’s beautiful parkland and ancient woodlands should be shared with the local community. The new footpath was officially opened by Julia Lady Henniker, wife of the late Lord Henniker, founder of Thornham Walks.
