On Saturday 23rd August 2025, GVCV held its annual Hay Day Social.
Volunteers spent a sunny morning raking to remove cut grass from a limestone meadow in Rodborough, near Stroud. This annual activity is important to maintain the low nutrient levels needed by rare plant species found on limestone meadow e.g. purple spotted and fragrant orchids.
The group also cut back encroaching tree branches and brambles to help maintain the meadow habitat.
Following a good morning of raking the group produced 10 large dumpy bags of well packed hay. Given the dry weather conditions subsequent and poor grazing this year, the hay was donated to a local farmer as feed for her cattle.
As normal the group enjoyed a BBQ in the sunshine following a morning hard at work.
