Sunday 11th March 2018 - Work Party

The snow has gone but it remains damp and muddy in the woodland. There were 10 of us, and a dog,  for a good morning's work and only a little rain.

 After levelling the earth, the picnic table was raised on to slabs to protect it from wet from the ground which can seep in to the cut ends of the feet, it will also stop it sinking in. It needs a coat of Danish oil, to protect the wood, on a dry day.

The finished picnic table

The raspberry had a prune and the gooseberry and currant bushes were weeded. The path edges were kept clear of brambles as usual and the old nettle stalks raked off the snowdrops to allow for maximum growth. 

The path through the plum trees near the entrance to the site was redefined with long pieces of wood along the sides.

 The den was checked for loose poles and the hedge laying along the track tidied up a bit. A lovely tall, straight ash was felled, with the view to selling it to a local chair maker. This was to finish a job started last month, although the trees are only just coming into leaf this will be all the regular tree felling until next winter.

Snowdrops and primroses at the entrance to the wood.

Woodland Group News

Since the last, almost spring like, photos we have been hit by winter once again. It's very cold but the woodland looks beautiful in it's snowy blanket. 

As mentioned before, we held an Extraordinary General Meeting after the last work party to formerly adopt new roles within the group. After many years of hard work our dedicated chairman decided to retire at the last quarterly meeting and we now have big boots to fill (metaphorically speaking!) Accordingly, the group has been restructured, sharing out responsibilities with one person, me, co-ordinating.

A draft management plan has been written. It needs refining and adding to but it should give us all an idea of what we are aiming for and how any future proposals fit into an overall plan for the woodland.

I have a great team behind me and I'm sure we will manage to keep the woodland as lovely for people and wildlife as it is now.

Charlotte x