On Sunday 1st 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 9th 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.
Nine volunteers turned out to replace stiles with kissing gates along the footpath that runs around Sud Meadow, near to the former Hempstead landfill site which is now being regenerated for people and wildlife. These gates will be easier for people to use than the old stiles whilst presenting an obstacle for illegally ridden motorbikes.
Not a common task for us, a little forward-planning with tools and materials paid off and we were pleased to get all three in.
Thanks to Meyrik from GWT and Steve from Enovert for looking after us and making it happen.
Anthony, Trina and Rob dig holes for the first gate after removing the awkward wood and wire fence.
In goes the gate: Trina, Sian, Rob, Anthony and Dave
Clearly the best-installed gate.
Nathan and Richard work on gate 2
Richard powering on with Gate 3, ‘supervised’ by Nathan and Sam
Steve mucks in
The ‘runners up’ in the ‘best gate installation’ competition: Richard, Steve, Candy, Nathan and Sam
All done!
On Sunday 18th June 2023, volunteers from GVCV spent a warm day working in the wildlife area at Chruchdown Parish Park. Tasks included mulching young trees to help them cope with the warm weather, path widening and conducting a basic plant survey of the meadow.
The group also cleared Himalayan Balsam from along the brook. Clearing the Balsam prevents this invasive plant from damaging the sides of the brook and spreading to other areas.
Ant showing Balsam pulling in full flow.
Lucy ensuring we pull all the Balsam – its good at hiding between the bramble and nettles
Task at the Thames and Severn canal disused section near Coates, April 16th2023.
Five of us from GVCV met five Cotswold Canal Trust volunteers at the disused canal section near the old Tunnel House Inn. Half of us worked to clear saplings from the steep side of the canal, not an easy task because of the steep slope and some water in the canal. The rest of us worked further along the towpath outside the neglected roundhouse built in 1791 as a dwelling for the ‘lengthsman’ whose job was to keep the towpath and drainage ditches clear.
The Roundhouse
Our job was to cut saplings actually growing in dry stone walls and to clear vegetation which was smothering new barberry shrubs (Berberis vulgaris) which had been planted to encourage the rare Barberry Carpet moth which feeds on them.
Barberry Carpet moth
Both sites looked much clearer at the end of the day, a satisfying outcome.
GVCV Task @ Emley Castle – Sunday 2nd 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
Leckhampton Hill
26 February 2023
Gorse clearance with the Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings common (FOLK)
Six of our number (Anthony, Rob, Jane, Chris, Annie and Dave) turned out on a bright February morning to clear some of the gorse on the North side of Leckhampton Hill. Although valuable as part of the mix of habitats on the hill, it has been encroaching on footpaths and the unimproved grassland habitat that is valuable for butterflies, orchids and beetles.
Before clearance (not really, I forgot to take a ‘before’ photo)
Anthony and other volunteers clearing gorse
Volunteers working over here too
Dave
One cleared section of path
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.
2023.02.12 Prestbury Hill – Scalloping gorse
Gorse is a wonderful habitat and source of food for all sorts of mammals, birds and insects but my, it does spread.
Our task on 12 February, working with the Butterfly Conservation warden, was to scallop a bank of gorse on Prestbury Hill. This involved carving out a “bite” at the perimeter of the bank, cutting the stems down to ground level. New growth will shortly appear in this cleared area and the object of the exercise will have been achieved – to produce a mix of new and old gorse all in one area so as to attract a greater range of insect and bird life.
The warden leading by example
Next part of the exercise is to cut out another scallop further down the bank, leaving old growth in between. Once the areas processed have re-generated then the areas of old gorse previously left can in turn be scalloped. Process repeats ad infinitum.
Gorse, as is it’s wont, grows mainly on steep banks so accessing and working on it were slightly awkward. Oftimes the answer was to simply sit down next to a clump and work on it from a stable position.
We had been warned of the possible presence of Adders so we had to keep a wary eye out when working in case we disturbed them
We tried an experiment, using a pole saw to slide in and slice off the stems at ground level. It worked beautifully, very fast, very efficient. Problem was it would only work on level ground, using it on a slope twisted the delicate blade making it useless. Well you don’t know unless you try.
Trying out the pole saw technique
Discussing the effectiveness of the pole saw with the warden
All of the cut material was dragged off and burned on an established fire site adjacent to the work area. A measure of control and care was required here as gorse burns fiercely and tends to spread easily to adjacent grass, scrub etc. Our fire was kept to a manageable size with a beater to hand to deal with any errant sparks etc.
Burning the brash whilst NOT whistling “smoke gets in your eyes”
It is great to work on a task where we can stand back at the end of the day and clearly see the result of our efforts.
The scallop we formed in the gorse
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