Here is the call for volunteers
There will be a Fairfield Volunteering session this Saturday morning from 10am to around 1pm, meeting at the storage building. Jonathan is on his hols so this message will likely miss his humour and sub-editorial skill. In particular, there are further announcements toward the end of the message so please persevere.
Volunteer numbers have been a little disappointing of late so, if you possibly can, please come along. Here are or tasks:
* Trim around part of the edge of each of our scrapes / ponds to increase wildlife access.
* The smaller saplings in Pony Wood and the extension need a little TLC in the form of trimming the immediately surrounding grass.
* Repair / re-instate the hedging post just down the path from the Fauna / Orchard crossroads.
* Trim back overhanging nettles (especially) along the Orchard paths and around the benches.
* Cut out a low hanging branch of a rowan across the path toward the south end of the Orchard.
* Tie back some of the fruit bushes in the soft fruit circle which are overhanging the path.
* Cut off the flowering heads of dock to stop seeding.
* Cut back the self-seeding blackthorn along the Fauna path which are growing too near the path for safety.
* Dig out ragwort growing near the shed.
* Check that the severing of the ivy on the Norway maple near the shed has stemmed the ivy growth.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
1. Carr House Farm will be holding an open garden on 1st and 2nd July and the Fairfield Association will be serving refreshments. This will require volunteers to assemble our tents and carry tables on Friday evening the 30th June (meet at 6.45 at the Shed) and take it all down again on the Sunday afternoon from 4pm. If you can help please let Ian know, details below.
2. A late withdrawal means that we have one place left on our scything course on 17th- 18th June. The Association is trying to increase our use of this important skill in environmentally friendly control of intrusive plants such as thistles. So if you are interested contact Ian.
3. We plan to re-start the Ragwort Working Party in mid-June. If you are not on Ian’s circulation list and can help on Wednesday mornings give him a shout.
Many thanks
ian
Here’s what we did:
The weather forecast was for heavy rain all morning. This was nearly right, it rained heavily most of the morning. Despite this nine people attended the Saturday volunteering session.
• We trimmed around the smaller saplings in Pony Wood and the extension to give them a head start against the grass.
• The loose hedging stake just down the Pads footpath was hammered home.
• Overhanging grass and nettles throughout the Orchard was trimmed back to protect children and facilitate the mowing.
• Keith continued his summer pruning of the fruit trees.
• The overhanging rowan in the Orchard was cut off.
• Overhanging soft fruit in the circle were tied back and / or staked.
• The ivy climbing the Norway maple, severed last year, was checked and is indeed dead.
• The yard area around the shed was tidied.
• Ragwort was dug out of the Paddock.
• Dock was cut back to prevent flowering and seeding in the Paddock, along the Fauna path and in Carr House Meadow.