On a very wet morning half a dozen of us carried out some essential maintenance tasks on the reserve. The bushes alongside the paths have been growing at an incredible rate, at least a foot a month. We split into several working parties and carved our way through the jungle to try to keep all the paths walkable.

Meanwhile we also did some light summer pruning of the stoned fruit trees, and checked round the apple trees as well – we think we’re going to have an apple crop on the Common this year.

Please come and join us for a pleasant summer work morning – nothing too strenuous!

As well as pruning stoned fruit trees such as plums and gages, we shall also be attending to odd jobs on the reserve. There will be something for everyone!

Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

Sixteen wildlife enthusiasts, including a group of visitors from the Cabot Group of the Wildlife Trust in Bristol, explored Wapley’s meadows and woodlands last weekend. We found three of Wapley’s five species of orchids and many other meadow flowers. Then we went into the woodland and talked about the challenge of ash dieback disease and how the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group is planning to cope with it. Finally we visited the Orchard for the Future, where local varieties of fruit trees (ones you can’t buy in the shops) have been planted on one side of Wapley Common.

It’s not surprising they call it a bee orchid!

Now is the time to visit Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve if you’re interested in meadow flowers and insects. Investigate on your own, or join us on our public guided walk this Sunday 28 June, meeting at 2pm at the Shire Way gate. We shall be welcoming guests from the Cabot Group of the Wildlife Trust but everyone is welcome. Here are some photos from the last few days:

Bee orchid

Common spotted orchid

Six-spot burnet moth on black knapweed

Small white female butterfly

Meadow brown male butterfly

Ringlet butterfly

A photo of the official opening of the new Sergeant’s Farm Bridge today – Cllr Christine Howard, Chairman of Dodington Parish Council, assisted by yours truly. They loaned her a pair of gold-coloured scissors to cut the ribbon!

This video shows the replacement of Sergeant’s Farm Bridge,  which links Shire Way to Wapley Common and the Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve.

With only a day’s notice, Network Rail have said that they are having an official opening event at the bridge at 11.00 am tomorrow (Tuesday 28 April) to which local residents are invited.

Dodington Parish Council will organise a community celebration in a few weeks time – we’ll let you know.

The new Sergeant’s Farm Bridge opened yesterday evening, and people seem to like it. 

There’s a motorbike barrier and a kissing gate, which can be opened fully to let wheelchairs through if you have a RADAR key.

The slope looks manageable for anyone pushing a wheelchair or a buggy.

The span of the temporary bridge across the railway was removed overnight.

Well done to Network Rail’s contractors Murphy, and also to all involved from Dodington Parish Council and South Glos Council’s Public Rights of Way section.

The Big Pull is run by South Glos council, as part of the Wild4life project, and the Avon Invasive Weeds Forum.

Himalayan Balsam is a plant which is rapidly spreading across the UK invading the banks of our rivers and streams, smothering our native plants and causing flooding. Pulling it up is the easiest way to control it.

Last years campaign was very successful, with 106 volunteers – including many local people – helping to clear a 675m stretch along the River Frome. Here’s what some pullers had to say about it:

‘Great morning – something very therapeutic about pulling up that balsam!’
‘Nice to meet new people and meet old friends.’

The organisers provide the equipment and guidance, you provide the pulling power.

Join us for a free Big Pull morning on:
    Saturday 31 May
    Saturday 7 June
    Saturday 28 June
    Saturday 12 July

The mornings run from 10am to 1pm. Meet at the far end of Celestine Road, Yate, BS37 5HB.

•     All ages are welcome and there’s no need to book
•     Free refreshments and snacks provided
•     Please wear strong outdoor footwear and weatherproof clothing
•     Long trousers and sleeves advised and sun cream and a hat if the weather is hot