Here is Jonathan’s message
Greetings All,
We have a number of points of order to work through in this email and here
they are…
First, there’ll be a volunteer session at Fairfield Orchard, Fauna and
Flora this Saturday, April 8th, starting at 10.00am and finishing in the
vicinity of 1.00pm.
Here are some things that need to be done.
* Tackling invasive bramble in Upper Sowerholme (This is definitely a
wellington job but offers the opportunity to see our wildest area beyond
the willows in the Hay Meadow).
* Again a wellington job – pulling invasive grass from Alder Pond.
* Installing the nose pump in West Field.
* Oiling and servicing all our padlocks.
* Removing trip hazard protruding stones in Orchard and along Fauna path
(request from member of public after someone fell over).
* Replacing the removed stump in the Orchard.
* Clearing sycamore saplings from shed roof.
* Trimming or strimming around the shed fence.
* Clearing grass and competing vegetation around hedge saplings in the
Pads/Big Meadow hedge.
* Flattening out tractor ruts in Big Meadow.
Second, the Ragwort Working Party will begin this season’s work on
Wednesday, April 12th, meeting at 9.30 at the shed and working until about
1.00pm. The intention is to meet every Wednesday morning through the early
summer to really get on top of the ragwort. Please bring your own
refreshments.
Third, we still have two places left on the free scything course. This
will be held on the 17th and 18th June.
If you wish to join then let Ian know on or
07811 970 595.
We are using scythes increasingly to control thistles and the ever
spreading rushes so we need to expand volunteers with this skill.
Fourth, this is your advanced notice that the first of our summer evening
volunteer sessions will be on Wednesday April 26th from 6.30pm, meeting at
the shed.
And finally, a reminder that we need volunteers for setting up (from 12
noon) and taking down (from 4.15pm) the marquees for the Easter Egg Hunt
on Easter Monday 17th April. If you can help then let Tony Finn know on
.
Best wishes,
Jonathan.
Here’s what we did
A beautiful sunny morning saw 19 volunteers attend the monthly Saturday volunteering session.
• Sycamore saplings were cleared from the shed roof.
• Brambles were dug out of a section of the Upper Sowerholme marsh.
• Mud was brushed away from the boardwalk on the Fauna path
• All the padlocks were oiled and serviced.
• The nose pump was installed in the West Field.
• Pony Wood was inspected for signs of the recent camper and any damage done.
• Protruding stones were removed from the Orchard path to prevent a trip hazard. The holes were carefully filled in and compressed to preserve the path.
• A stump was re-instated in the stump circle.
• The base of the apple trees were carefully strimmed so as not to damage the bark.
• An area of the Orchard near the Stump Circle big sycamore was strimmed to prepare it for eventual mowing.
• Young saplings in the Pads / Big Meadow hedge were ‘weeded’ to stop them being overwhelmed.
• Invasive brambles were dug out of the southern end of the Orchard.
• Ragwort was dug out from the Orchard, around the shed area and from the Paddock.
• At the break John Muir certificates were presented to Gill Davies and George Manklow.