Guide visit September 13th 2016

For their first meeting of the new term, Stonham Aspal Guides had an evening ramble from  The Old School House Nursery at Helmingham and finishing with toasted marshmallows in the woodland.

Group social.

On Sunday 11th September we had our first social gathering in the woodland. Members of the group were joined by friends and family for what turned out to be a big cook up on the fire pit and not a bow saw in sight!

The fire pit performed beautifully with room for everyone to cook and keep warm space as well. 

Here's to the next one!

Bridge School Visit

In July, children and staff from The Bridge School in Ipswich thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the woodland. After the wood had been explored, the sausages cooked on the fire were much appreciated. Thank-you to the school for sharing theses pictures.

Work party September 4th 2016

The woodland is beginning to show a few hints of autumn after a hot dry spell. These are the stunning berries of the guelder rose,  Viburnum opulus. 

The foxglove seedlings pricked out last month had grown sufficiently to be potted on into the next size pots. These were stood on capillary matting in trays and will be left to grow until big enough to plant out.

Meanwhile, the area along edges of the main path was hand weeded to remove brambles with a view to planting some of the foxgloves when ready next year. As these are biennials it may be another year before they flower but we will have to wait and see.

In recognition of it's name, Eades Orchard, there are a few plums on the trees plus a few more blackberries and elderberries in the wilder bits.

August 2016 Work Party

The woodland is settling into it's summer state now with a thick covering of green leaves in some areas and growth slowing throughout. It was windy, although still hot, today so there weren't many butterflies but an abundance of shield bugs was noted.

Some trees were thinned out along the main path to improve the growth of the standard oak and cherry trees which form both sides of the avenue. The branches were added to the brash line along the perimeter.

Foxglove seedlings were pricked out into modules ready for planting out next year. Only another 800 to go!

The growth along the path edges and around key plants continues to be hand weeded and cut back. All looking very nice today!

July Work Party - 03/07/2016

It was perfect weather for the woodland work this morning, not too hot, not too cold and absolutely no rain! The sun was shining and the grass was dry enough for the paths to be mown. Nettles around the ancient Baldwin apple were cut back and we were able to see how well it is doing with lots of new growth. Long undergrowth was also reduced around the hazel trees in the den in the hope that they will eventually make a more substantial structure

Speckled wood butterfly 

Ringlet butterfly

 Plenty of insects buzzing, flying and crawling about in the woodland today including these two butterflies in the glade. Also spotted in the main path area were some dragonflies and hoverflies enjoying the bramble flowers.

While out on the bug hunt we found, not one, but two woodmouse nests with tiny pink babies!

This is the mouse watching us for a few moments before coming out of the nest to move her babies from a hole on the other side. The cover was replaced very quickly once she came out.

To finish, this is the award now in situ in the woodland where it sits beautifully back lit at the top of the main path.

June

Over the last couple of weeks we've had a lot of rain and a lot of sun and the woodland is looking very lush at the moment. Today, June 12th 2016, all around the country there are parties to celebrate the Queen's official 90th birthday .Framsden Woodland Group is no exception and we have combined our annual plant sale with a big lunch picnic in the glade.

  

The plant sale this morning was a great success with nearly all the plants sold and lots of tea and cake as well. Photo taken through the hatch!

Veronica chamaedrys, Germander speedwell

The weather was a bit overcast and drizzly but in true British fashion people turned out and sat in the rain to eat their sandwiches. The children enjoyed a run round to find the clues on the treasure hunt, Alex won the junk crown competition and was very pleased with his prize.

The bug hunt was abandoned as the rain fell a bit harder, which was a shame as I found a lovely toad on my solo trip around the wood. Maybe next time!