December 2025

 Sunday 7th December-work party

The new pear tree was planted in the space left by removing infected sycamores. It is a locally grown tree supplied by Jeannie the village tree warden. 

Work started on a projected new shelter area. We have had ideas like this before so hopefully this one will see fruition. The first tree was cut down by hand and it is planned to leave some of other trees at a height to use the trunks as supports for a shelter. So a kind of relaxed, organic method of shelter building!

We have had a store of previously used tree guards at the top of the woodland next to the composr heap. Some have gone to a new home to be-reused and the rest were bundled up to either be re-used or recycled at Hill Farm, the new collection point for tubes tree tubes. 

There was also the usual path tidying and the glade was raked again. Christmas biscuits were supplied by Flossie as part of the refreshments. 

Winter Solstice Sunday 21st December 

This was the first time that we had celebrated the Solstice in the woodland and as it happened the weather was a bit cold and wet so we started in the woodland and then sat in the village hall for the readings, meditation and music. 

We took time out to pause in the busy run up to Christmas, with time to be still and reflect and gave thanks for the light returning as the days lengthen again after the shortest day. Neil played his guitar and sang which was amazing and we had hot mulled cider to finish. 

The hall was decorated with lights and greenery but I couldn't really take photos. 

Sunday 2nd November 2025 - Work party

we delayed the start to miss a downpour and it proved to be a wise choice. as you can see, the leaves are really coming down now. 
We left them on the main path as they are better to walk on than the mud underneath but gave the glade a rake to try and encourage the grass to grow. 

Raking up the leaves.

It's a bit difficult to see, but the honeysuckle and a few branches were cut back to make a path to the Baldwin apple tree. 

The compost area has become a bit of a mess. Dumped as much as we could into one bay and left the partly rotted compost to get a bit more moisture to complete the process. The carpet, for removal and the tree guards for re-use were noted.

There will be an AGM next week.

Sunday 5th October 2025 - Work Party

It was a nice dry morning although some of us were caught out by how chilly it was after an unseasonably warm week. The woodland is beginning to take on it's autumn colours now. 

A lot of small ash saplings were dug out along the path to keep some open areas important for butterflies. 

 

We concentrated on the verge this month cutting and raking the long grass. Brambles were removed around the hedge plants and some taller hawthorn and ash saplings cut back to try and bulk up the hedge. It is a difficult area to try and grow but some plants are surviving. It's the most visible bit of the woodland as it is along a public road and opposite the church so we don't want it to look unsightly. 

The verge looking tidier and more open.

Mer de menage apples

It has been a bumper year for apples countrywide. The weather was perfect, in the spring, for the blossom and setting of fruit. We picked 5 different varieties to take to the village apple day in a couple of weeks.

It's been a good year for Quince too.

Sat 18th October Apple event in the village hall. 

Here are the woodland apples

And the full display looking lovely. Apples and plenty of cakes were enjoyed by all.

Feeling autumnal

Sunday 7th September 2025 - Work Party

It was a lovely morning to be in the woodland. This first picture shows the grass being carted away having been cut and raked off the grassy area by the main path.

 We picked lots of the yellow plums, as you can see, to share out in the village. They are very sweet and juicy.

We are hoping to plant a new pear tree near the entrance to the wood so and area was cleared ready.

The honeysuckle in the glade had completely taken over the little oak tree in the glade so it had a severe cut back. This is after, with a lot more light. Scroll for during amd before photos. It will soon grow back!

Refreshments afterwards and apple cake by Flossie, very popular as you can see. 

Sunday 6th July 2025 - work party

We managed to get finished before the rain, and more people turned up than expected so a lot of cutting, raking and barrowing of cuttings was done and the woodland paths are all passable again.

It has been the complete opposite of last year, weatherwise, very dry and the main path hasn't grown much at all.

The plum bed was cut and raked and is all ready for the spring flowers to regrow in a few months. It is important to cut and remove the vegetation to reduce the nutrients which is better for wild flowers.

Plum bed finished

Plum bed being raked

The verge was also cut and raked to allow more light to the struggling hedge

Mowing the paths

The vegetation around the fruit bushes, gooseberries and redcurrants, was cleared to allow the fruit to be picked.

Redcurrants

Now is the time to be thinning the fruit so you get bigger apples.

The picnic bench, and the seat at the top of the woodland, were giving a good clean.

 

Plant Sale Sunday 1st June 2025

 We are still using our beautiful posters designed by Simon many years ago. In an effort to be as sustainable as possible we re-use them when we can which is why there is a sticker to change the date. It was a week earlier than usual this year to avoid a booking clash at the village hall.

We set up the evening before and as usual there was a lovely selection of plants donated from the woodland group members, who had been very busy growing, but also many other villagers.

Doors open at 10 and it is always a busy first hour then it slows down. We are very grateful to everybody who supports the plant sale even if they just come for the cake!

We raised £735 in total from plants, refreshments and raffle. This money will go towards the continued management of the woodland as there are still trees that will require specialist management which is always expensive!

Sunday 4th May 2025 - work party

As we arrived at woodland it started to rain but the woodland group are made of strong stuff so we carried on and it rained on an off. In spite of the dry weather, right up until Sunday morning, the woodland has had it's usual spring growth spurt and this months work was about reclaiming the paths.

This is the 'before' taken while it was sunny on Saturday morning.

The verge on the roadside edge was trimmed back before it flops over.

The hazel hedge around the picnic bench has done really well. The new growth was woven in to the structure.

Ash logs, previously cut down were moved to the woodside. Photo taken on the way back to get another load!

Lovely green crab spider on the hazel.

Quince flowers.

 Near the entrance, there was a sprawling honeysuckle which used to climb up a sycamore tree, now removed. A new structure was created out of the hazel coppiced last month. 

Cherries forming. 

The glade, all tidy again.

The bench with the hazel arch now forming it's own structure.

Main path after mowing.

 

New noticeboard display by Flossie.