24/1/2010
Photo: Some of the Conservation Group regulars building up the dead hedge
Originally uploaded by paulhulbert
We had a very successful workday today. A dozen of us coppiced a lot of the excess trees in the Centenary Wood, and dragged the material down to the lower end of the main wood.
There we constructed some fifty metres of dead hedging to protect vulnerable areas of the wood. Not bad for a morning’s work!
Our next work morning will be on Sunday, 25 January. We will be doing some traditional woodland management – coppicing, in other words removing excess growth of self-seeded ash – in the Centenary plantation.
Then we’ll will bring the brash – the cut material – down to places where we need to reinforce and rebuild dead hedging. Dead hedges are barriers made entirely from natural material, that we use to protect sensitive areas. Stakes are driven into the ground at intervals, and longer cut branches are woven between the stakes.
Please come and help, no experience necessary. We’re meeting at the Shire Way gate at 10.00 am. You’ll need to wear suitable footwear and warm clothing, but tools will be provided.
You can ring Paul for details on 01454 315851, or just turn up on the day.
Another note for your diary – the following work morning will be on March 14, when we shall be doing some hedgerow/boundary planting near Chris’s Bridge.
BBC Breathing Places Christmas song video 🙂
Come and join our exploration of local fungi with expert Justin Smith – meet at the Shire Way gate. There are many kinds of fungi about at the moment – these photos were taken only yesterday.
Unfortunately today’s Wapley work morning had to be cancelled. It wasn’t so much the rain, more the wind – we had planned to do work in the woodland, and that’s not safe when there are high speed gusts.
Lots of things are happening on the Nature Reserve over the next few days:
Saturday 31 Oct 9.30 am – have your say about the Management Plan for the next five years – walk around the Reserve with our consultant. Everyone welcome.
Sunday 1 November 10.00 am – work morning with members of the Conservation Group. Please come and help us!
Tuesday 3 November 2.00 pm – a Fungus Foray with expert Justin Smith. There are lots of fungi on the reserve at the moment, some the size of small plates. Come and find out all about them.
All events are free – meet at the Shire Way gate.
We had a very good workday last Sunday. We cleared the stream that flows down through the middle of the wood during heavy rain, cleared paths and cut back vegetation in the main wood and at the picnic area, and did a lot of litter picking.
We were very glad to have three local guides with us who are working for their BP Badge – many thanks for your help, girls!
Our next work morning will be on Sunday November 1st.
The Wapley Bushes Conservation Group is meeting on Sunday 20 September at the Shire Way gate at 10.00 am. We should finish by about 12.30 pm.
We will be doing some general conservation work such as tidying up a small stream that is the habitat of a very rare plant.
Please come along and help! Tools are provided, but you’ll need to wear wellies or stout footwear and appropriate clothing. If you would like more details please ring Paul on 01454 315851, but you can just turn up on the day.