Sunday 9th January 2022 - Work Party

 

Happy New Year from the Woodland Group! A chilly but bright morning after a very wet day yesterday. 

It looked like our drainage pipe had sprung a leak over Christmas so we dug down where the hole in the soil was, and followed a tunnel all along the pipe to the join, no leak just a continuing tunnel. So it looks like it was an animal tunnel, a mole?, and the water had just followed an easy route and popped up in the path. Soil all put back and compacted and we will see what happens.

The beginning of the tunnel

The joint is ok

Glenn brought another load of mulch so we were able to finish giving the new(ish) hedge a nice thick layer. 

Richard topped up the bird feeders and we made a start with clearing an area next to the glade so that we can move the picnic table.

Hazel catkins 

So we got a lot done even though there weren't that many of us, although it did pick up as the morning wore on. 

It's not all work though, part of the joy of the woodland group is getting to meet up with other people and there is usually time for lots of chat, if you want it.

Sunday December 5th 2021 - Work Party

 

We didn't have a work party in November as we met on 31st October but this means that we have come to leaf raking after all the leaves have fallen and we won't have to do it again until next year.  It also means lots of leaves!

Piles

With a good number of volunteers, raking the leaves into piles all around the woodland didn't take too long but going round picking them up and barrowing  to make a leaf pile at the top of the wood took bit longer, even with a quad bike helping.

More piles!

Meanwhile, Richard was busy removing the top of the noticeboard to take home and repair.

More leaves in The Glade

Had a chat with Mr Robin

Glenn arrived with some mulch for the hedge so that got done too. To be finished next time.

Action shot!

All that effort kept us warm and worked up a thirst so it was lovely to meet up in the glade for mulled wine and apple cake, thanks Claire and Sally-Ann, and a good chat. 

Happy Christmas from the woodland group and see you in the new year. 

Halloween - October 31st 2021

 

After cancelling last year's Halloween event it was good to light the fire pit and gather again this year. 

A few of us met in the afternoon to set up the trail and got the fire pit ready. The sun came out after a blustery, wet morning.

I was so glad to see lots of people in the evening. Hot punch was served and marshmallows toasted on the fire. Here's some pictures.

 Thank-you to everyone that helped and came. 

Work party - Sunday 3rd October 2021

 

It hasn't changed much since last month!

A small, select band of volunteers this month but the weather was kind after a lot of rain on Saturday. I didn't mow the paths as it was a bit wet and we didn't have much petrol, there is a bit of a fuel shortage at the moment.

I finished off turning the compost heap,  which I started last time.

The last bit of the new hedge along the road verge was weeded and some sycamore saplings on the corner removed to allow the growth of the fruit trees there. This is the beginning of the plan to rejuvenate the hedge along the track.

Meanwhile, in the den area the long awaited work finally took place. We put some in shorter posts to encourage the hazel to grow upwards, rather than outwards, and also added some longer poles to give a better definition of the whole den shape. 

The next work party will be on 31st October preparing for the return of the Halloween pumpkin trail.  

Work party - Sunday 5th September 2021

 

 

September already and this is the main path looking dry. A beautiful morning and a willing band of volunteers. 

The den

We are hoping to improve the den now the hazel are finally starting to grow, it has taken several years to get going. This month we managed to find some suitable poles to cut from the woodland and work will continue next time. 

Plums ripening 

You can see how dry it is here, not much vegetation growing now. In the distance, Richard cleaning the picnic table yet again. We are looking for a better solution to keeping it useable.

The vegetation was cleared from around the new hedge, planted in December.

Woodpecker damage in the Baldwin apple tree

Work Party - Sunday 1st August 2021

A productive work party today. Before and after photos of the long grass clearing. We also cut some smaller areas and mowed all the paths. The woodland is looking a lot more cared for now a d surprisingly green for August. 

Tiny frog found on a damp evening stroll in the week.

July 2021

 I didn't manage to write a blog for the July work party. We did have one on the first Sunday of the month, as planned, but only 4 of us as everyone was busy doing other things. Nevertheless, we got a bit of long grass strimmed and raked off. I also forgot my phone so no photos. 

Had a walk round the woodland to this evening, very warm but still quite lush. Very pleased to find a stag beetle and the best crop of redcurrants that we have had. Not sure how long they will last though.

Stag beetle

Redcurrants 

Gooseberries too!