Halloween 2026

I think it was the best weather that we have ever had for the event, nice and dry underfoot, not too cold or warm and no wind so no smoke blowing everywhere. 

We had a busy weekend with setting up on the Saturday afternoon - lights, laying the fire and a bit of styling the woodland for the event. Thank-you to Jeannie for a selection of squashes and marrows from 2 Fields in Debenham. 

I didn't set these up but they popped up with perfect timing!

The fire was lit at 5 and it was nicely glowing for the first visitors at 6. People came and went, there was also an event on at the pub, but I think there were about 30 attendees in total. Not many children as they were trick or treating elsewhere. 

Pumpkins 

And a marrow at the back!

Toasting marshmallows

A very hot fire!

The shelter dressed for the occasion.

Some scary visitors!

Standing around the firepit. 

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped set up, light the fire, provided toasting sticks, carved pumpkins, made and served hot punch, tidied up, including the next day, and everyone who turned up to the event. 

Sunday 4th October 2026 - Work Party

 

Main path

A lovely autumnal morning just perfect for a bit of work. The finishing touches were made to the new shelter and the remaining bits of wood removed. 

Hi-ho!

The verge had managed to grow so had a little trim and a rake up.

The fire pit was cleaned out in preparation for lighting at the pumpkin lantern trail (October 31st)

The stakes were also put out along the path ready for the lanterns on the night

The ground was quite hard still!

Sunday 6th September 2026 - work party

 A nice sunny morning and a good number of volunteers. View looking down the main path for a change

We were at the top of the path as that was the location chosen to build a new hibernaculum so that reptiles, insects and anything else can have a warm, dry spot for hibernating in. We chose a spot on the sunny side of the woodland, out of the way of the path. 

First, a hole, 50cm deep had to be dug. The recent rain hadn't sunk in quite as much as I'd hoped and this did turn out to be a bit of a challenge. 

The hole was filled with logs, prunings and material from the compost heap to keep it warm but with open spaces as well. We didn't have clay pipes but we left sloped sides to allow access.

The soil was piled back on top to make a mound with a bit of corrugated tin on top to help keep it dry.

The signs in the woodland had been there a while so Flossie gave them a refresh and they were put back up, with a new one for the hibernaculum. 

The plum tree also got a summer prune with a lot of the dead twigs being removed and some branches thinned. The prunings were added to the hibernaculum!

2nd August 2026 - Work Party

 A lovely morning for a work party but also a busy time of year so only 3 of us this month. 
Still no significant rainfall and the woodland is actually drier than it looks in this photo, on the ground you can see that there has been a large drop of field maple keys and the same has happened with apples as the trees try to protect themselves from the drought. 

Knowing that it would be a small work party, and how hot it has been getting, a short, achievable,  session was planned. The roadside verge was cut and raked, to make it tidier, but also to ensure that any rain we did get would reach the hedge. I also trimmed the taller hedge plants, it almost looks like a hedge now!

Before!

After!

After!

The hedge line just about visible now it has been cleared.

Blackberries are early this year. 

July 2026 - Work Party

 

No June work party as we had the annual plant sale instead. We raised over £500 pounds and sold out so quickly that I didn't take any photos. I came and mowed the paths one weekend just to keep them walkable. 

The two grassy areas, plum bed and next to the main path, we're cut and raked.

The hazel poles used to make the arch to the picnic table were falling apart so they have been removed and the new regrowth tied in to make it self-supporting. 

The footpath along the churchyard, unofficially adopted by the woodland group, was made passable again.

Coffee and cake was enjoyed at the end with lots of interesting discussions. The social part is always enjoyed as much as the manual work!

May 3rd 2026 -Work Party

 It was a bank holiday weekend and I was expecting people to be busy, there wasn't much on the job list so a small group was perfect. It was a lovely bright morning and the wood is filling up now with undergrowth and leaves!

Main path still a bit bare on the ground.

The wood was tidied from the new shelter so that it was useable. The paths and glades were mown and we looked for signs of infection on some oaks which have failed to come into leaf properly. The tree warden is going to see if there is any other reports of diseased oaks locally.

Red  campion 

The fruit bushes were cleared of sticky weed and nettles. 

 Before..

 After! 

Quince blossom

 Cow parsley and ladybird 

There is lots of honeysuckle in flower

Honeysuckle on both sides of the path!

We planted bluebells a few years ago, this is the first time they have been really 

The footpath along the churchyard was also strimmed.