Leader Jeff
The task was based at the Hempstead water
meadows a little known area south of the city of Gloucester.
This site is one of a number of interlinked projects along the
whole of the Severn estuary which have obtained major grants to
convert back to wetland. (The whole of the flood plain of the
Severn was drained during the last war and used as farmland) The
aim is to attract wading birds such as curlew, redshank, snipe
and insects such as dragonflies. The Severn estuary is now categorised
as a Specially recognised wetland site of international importance
with Slimbridge probably the best known site.
Unfortunately the whole of the Hempstead site has been invaded
by willow. Willow if left will suck up moisture and dry out the
land - so the task was to pull/dig up all the young willow trees
and stack in a central place.
Eleven people turned up for the task on an absolutely stunning
day with temperatures in the low seventies with a slight breeze
- ideal weather for this kind of work.
Lunch and tea breaks were taken in a sheltered glade formed from
a group of Poplar trees which were planted in the Victorian era
and used for the production of matches - England's glory.
Working in three groups with one group working around the lake,
one group in each of the dried out levies the task was completed
by four o’clock and a good time was had by all.