All posts by Candice Snelling

2024.11.17  STINCHCOMBE HILL – GVCV TASK

On Sunday 17th November 2024, a merry band of volunteers from GVCV joined Chris & Paul from the Stinchcombe Hill Trust.

Stinchcombe Hill, just outside Dursley, is on the Cotswold Way and is part of the Cotswold National landscape (formally the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The hill is rich in wildlife and includes three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I.) on its banks.

Like many areas in the Cotswolds, the ash trees in the wooded areas on the Hill have been hit hard by ask die back.

Small trees and scrub also encroach on the valuable limestone grassland areas so need to be kept under control.

The group spent the day helping clear scrub and debris from ash die back works on a rare ‘flat bit’ of the hill. We enjoyed the surrounding scenery and the excuse to have a winter bonfire.

Before photo – this area on the edge of the golf course is a prime spot for wildflower meadow
The early fire doing well after some TLC
After photo … yes it does look different. One step closer to being returned to wildlife meadow

2024.11.03 POND DIGGING AT RESTHAVEN GVCV TASK

On Sunday 3rd November 2024, GVCV volunteers met at the Resthaven Care Home in Pitchcombe, near to Painswick.

The owners of the home (Lilian & Faithfull) are keen to increase biodiversity onsite, for the benefit of wildlife and the residents at the home.

Local resident David Pugh contacted GVCV for guidance and help establishing a wildlife pond onsite near to the dining room for residents to enjoy.

Pond digging as a winter task can be challenge given the short hours of daylight but fortunately our highly efficient team of volunteers delivered a pond in record time. Marking out, digging, lining, edging, and filling the pond in less than 5 hours!

The pond will now have winter to settle and finish filling up with rainwater before planting in the Spring.

An enjoyable if tiring task…

Step 1 – Mark out the pond and check the liner will fit. Change your mind a few times in the process.
Step 2 – Dig a really big hole including a creative retaining bank.
Step 3 – Remove any sharp bits and line with sand. Who doesn’t love the sand-pit moment.
Step 4 – Work together to carefully get the liner in position. Nominate Sian to take her shoes off to get in the pond and carefully weigh down sections with rocks.
Step 5 – Edge the pond with rocks and jimmy a feed from a local water butt to get some starting water in the pond. Put in a wooden ramp to prevent help out any animals that might fall in over winter. Pose for a photo.

2024.11.01 BONFIRE NIGHT GVCV SOCIAL

On Friday 1st November 2024, GVCV convened in Rodborough (near Stroud) for a social to celebrate bonfire night.

Dave carefully constructed a bonfire in the paddock (yes, the one cleared at Hay Day) which he manged to light with a single match.

The group enjoyed home brew, dinner, hot chocolate around the fire. With sparklers of course for those that wanted them.

A tidy build before dusk
On the go…

2024.08.31 HAYDAY GVCV SOCIAL

On Saturday 31st August 2024, GVCV convened in Rodborough (near Stroud) for the annual Hay Day Social.

16 volunteers spent a sunny morning raking to remove cut grass from a limestone meadow. This is important to maintain the low nutrient levels needed by rare plant species found on meadows in the local area. The group also cut back encroaching tree branches and brambles which can easily smother the meadow – alongside of spot of blackberry collection.

With many hands the day was also an opportunity to harvest local hops which were donated to Stroud Brewery as part of their Hop Club.

For their efforts, the group we treated to a free lunch time BBQ including local Winstone’s Ice Cream.

Hay day raking in the sunshine

Group after a morning of hard work

Hop picking for Stroud Brewery …. many hands make light work

2024.14.07 PATH AND ROUND HOUSE CLEARANCE, SAPPERTON,  WITH  COTSWOLD CANAL TRUST

On Sunday 14th July 2024, GVCV joined fellow volunteers from the Cotswold Canal Trust to help clear footpaths near to the Sapperton Tunnel entrance and vegetation from around the historic Coates roundhouse nearby.

Coates roundhouse

Sapperton Tunnel Entrance or Portal

Credit: Cotswold Canal in Pictures.

The Sapperton tunnel and roundhouse are both on the now disused section of the Thames & Severn Canal.  The section is an important footpath connection route between the Thames Path National Trail and the Stroud Canal. In its disused state the canal is a a haven for wildlife including a large colony of bats roosting with the tunnel.

To read more about the area please visit: https://www.cotswoldcanals.net/

The despite the warm conditions the combined group has a good day powered by homemade cake.

Jon and Candy after a hard days work at the roundhouse.

2024.05.28 CLAVELL AND HIND WALK – GVCV SOCIAL

On 18th May 2024, GVCV explored the walking route from the new Clavell and Hind brewery outside Cheltenham to the Coombe Hill Nature Reserve – highly regarded for its wading birds and butterflies.

Exploring outside Cheltenham on a pub based amble

The group bravely navigated muddy puddles and a few outgrown spots to reach the reserve. After the pitstop for a drink/ice cream the group returned to the brewery for lunch and a well earned pint.

2024.02.25 tree planting & pruning at lodge farm, emley castle, GVCV TASK

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.

Tree guard group rolling

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

Requires long arms and a ‘can do’ attitude

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.

Candy and her big long pole

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

2024.01.28 TREE PLANTING AT WESTGATE PARK, GLOUCESTER, GVCV TASK

On Sunday 28th 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.

Morning tree planting briefing from Meyrick
Sian showcasing a very well planted tree
A Golden Acer to brighten up the park in autumn

2024.01.20 GIGGLING SQUID, CHELTENHAM, GVCV SOCIAL

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.

2023.10.21/22 TIDENHAM CHASE – GVCV RESIDENTIAL TASK

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 21st/22nd 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.

Sian and Nige cutting in the rain on day 1

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.

Cattle making themselves comfortable around the fire site
Sunshine at the end of a hard day’s work on Sunday

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.