Volunteers meet on the last Sunday of every month to carry out jobs in the wood. Most of these are carried out in accordance with a Management Plan which has been prepared by the Woodland Trust. For example, removal of bamboo and laurel which is undesirable in this ancient English woodland. We also clear out drainage ditches - a fun task for those who like sloshing about in ditch water; cut back bramble which threatens to overwhelm the areas of bluebells and overhangs the paths unless trimmed back. Other projects carried out in recent years have been the construction and erection of new notice boards, replacing fencing, building and repairing paths to improve public access and trimming back overhanging vegetation.
Tasks such as these are essential to the future of the woodland and are an enjoyable way to spend a few hours in the open air with friendly people of all ages and occupations.
One major task is carried out every year - cutting all of the grassed areas to ensure the wildflower mix remains and does not become swamped with invasive bramble or other vegetation. A professional flail is hired over two days for this job but many volunteers are needed to rake up the cut grass and stack in heaps.
In the year 2006 just over 300 hours of volunteer time was spent on these workdays and in 2007 this figure was almost 500 hours.
Work days start at 10.00 am on the last Sunday of each month and we meet at "The Feet Sculpture". Coffee and tea are provided and sometimes in the winter, Maureen brings hot vegetable soup.
So why not come along and help conserve this lovely piece of ancient woodland with a great bunch of people.
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