On Sunday 25th February 2024, GVCV volunteers met Tim & Nola Lea at their farm in Emley Castle. 

The farm is managed under ‘higher level stewardship’ a government scheme that provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England in return for delivering environmental and wildlife benefits on their land. Tim and Nola have transformed their farm over several years into a haven for wildlife.

The group helped on three key tasks and in reward were treated to an excellent cooked lunch of venison and veggie lasagne.  

The first task was replacing native trees which has died. This involving shifting metal tree guards and replanting new trees in a new location to increase their chances of survival.

Second task was removing ties from the trees that had survived.  This isn’t as simple as it sounds as the photos shows.

Third task was a spot of pruning of the orchard planted by GVCV many years ago. It was rewarding to see how quickly the trees have grown.

Thanks to Tim and Nola for a great day and for taking some photos.

On Sunday 28^th January 2024, 10 GVCV volunteers met Meyrick from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) at Westgate Park in Gloucester.

The wildlife trust has big plans to transform this slightly unloved urban park into an arboretum for the benefit of the local community and wildlife.

In glorious sunshine the group worked together to plant, stake, protect and mulch a range of new trees onsite. The group also helped clear litter to give the park a lift.

Thank you to everyone that attended. Great first task of the year.

On Saturday 20th January, GVCV ventured out for a post-Christmas meal in Cheltenham. After a pre drink in a highly recommended real ale pub – the Rotunda – the group enjoyed the Thai based delights at the Giggling Squid restaurant (conveniently next door to the Rotunda).

The GVCV January social is always an opportunity to ‘regift’ unwanted Christmas presents and this year was no exception. It’s always potluck what you get 😊.

With 16 people it was tricky to get a good group photo, but rest assured the group enjoyed the meal and the pre pub visit.

 A good start to a year of conservation tasks.

Tidenham Chase, outside Chepstow, is largest remaining fragment of lowland heathland in Gloucestershire. The site is managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife trust who are expanding the heathland through conversation grazing and tree removal. The site is important for a range of wading birds such as jacksnipe and woodcock. Adders, slow worms and lizards can also be found on the heathland.

On 21^st/22^nd October 2023, a band of brave volunteers from GVCV headed over the River Severn for a weekend residential. Working alongside the resident (but thankfully docile) long horn cattle the group helped to clear and burn young self-seeded silver birch trees on the heathland.

Dave provided a good fire on the first day which kept us going until Sunday afternoon. The group cleared trees from significant section of the health while ‘working around’ the long horn cattle. The cattle joined our efforts and were always ready to take a ‘munch’ on the silver birch leaves as felled trees were pulled to the fire for processing.

It was an enjoyable trip with the bonus of eating and staying together in Chepstow. Congratulations goes to Richard for finding the nice micropub on Friday night.

On Sunday 1^st October 2023, GVCV returned to Chruchdown to complete annual pond clearance work. The ponds at Churchdown support a range of wildlife including birds, dragonflies and newts. Regular autumn/winter clearance is important in maintaining healthy ponds.

On Saturday 9^th September 2023, volunteers from GVCV combined a task and social activity (best of both worlds). In the heat wave that the UK experienced at the start of September the group spent the morning ‘raking down’ a recently cut limestone wildflower meadow. The Hay Rake is important to maintain the low nutrient levels which are preferred and a range of limestone meadow plants including rare orchid species.

The hay removed from the land was transferred to a neighbouring farm as winter animal feed.

Following a morning of hard work the group enjoyed a well-earned BBQ and beer.

 

GVCV Task @ Emley Castle – Sunday 2^nd April 2023

The weather was with us for this year’s task at Emley Castle. The sun was shining as we helped local landowners (Tim and Nola) to clear bramble from a deer fence in need of repair, prune the orchard and remove willow from an area managed for bog loving plants.

Tim and Nola provided a fantastic lunch for the volunteers to say thank you for our efforts. A great farm site managed for wildlife with great hosts.

Edward helping clear bramble for his Duke of Edinburgh Award …

… with a little help from Sian and Candy.

Orchard before pruning …

 and after.

Lunch – normally we have lunch outside and bring our sandwiches so this was a special.

GVCV Social @ The Beacon Inn – Skittles and Dinner – Saturday 25th March 2023

Skittles is a great way for our Gloucester Vale Conservation Volunteers to show off their skills beyond cutting, planting and burning. On Saturday 25th March 2023, the group met for dinner and skittles at the Beacon Inn in Harefield (well worth a visit).

Despite our best efforts, Dave B won again this year and was duly awarded this 2023 medal to add to his growing collection.

Anthony in action

Dave B being awarded his medal by Dave E

On Sunday 19th February 2023, volunteers from GVCV gathered at Stinchcombe Hill. Stinchcombe Hill which is part of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (A.O.N.B.) supports a wide diversity of plants and animals. The hill includes important areas of Unimproved Cotswold Limestone Grassland (U.C.L.G.).

Working at the margins to maintain a clear route along the footpath

Beginning the clearing of area to revert to grassland

Working with Chris Wiltshire from the Stinchcombe Hill Trust, volunteers helped clearing trees with ash die back, created log piles in the woodland areas and helped clear scrub from an area to be converted to grassland.

Some trees we cut down, some trees we support, a typical GVCV supporter in action

The weather couldn’t have been better for a day on the hill as super keen GVCV volunteer David Blatcher noted, ‘I just love these tasks, I don’t know how Candy manages to book the weather. I am going to buy her a pint in the pub on the way home to say thank you’.

Just look at that sky – location could have been Greece, Spain or Italy, and no passport needed

GVCV is always welcoming new volunteers. If you fancy a day in the sunshine helping the environment, get in touch info@gvcv.org.uk.

The happy group, still smiling at the end of a day’s hard graft.