5 volunteers came out to Kemerton on  a perfect sunny day to prune, cut back and tidy new damson and other plum trees which had been overcome with weeds and grass and sprouted endless rogue  branches. 

We had to loosen the tree guards to access the overgrowth and then re-connect,  all of which we managed to complete  with all of them manicured and hopefully they will go on to produce lots of plums . 

Three of us cleared about 1/3 of the ‘butterfly slope’. So 6 volunteers could hopefully finish clearing the remaining 2/3 so that it could be returned to grassland and encourage birds foot trefoil and kidney vetch, the food plants for the Common Blue and Small Blue butterflies.

“Before “ photograph

“In progress” photograph

“After” photograph.

Future tasks identified are clearing the quarry face = two tasks at least and the bowl barrow requires strimming and removal of incipient hawthorn bushes 

Quarry face – another task

 

Bowl Barrow – yet another task

2025.02.23 Hempsted Infill planting

Despite being initially cancelled because of a dire weather warning, the task actually proceeded in the gap before the storm reached us. We were a selective group of 3. We made an early start and finished at 11.45, just ahead of the torrential rain, so we achieved a productive half days work.

In company with the Site Warden we managed to plant 20 odd saplings, collect dozens of old tree guards and a bag full of litter.

The Warden was happy with our efforts and we had a short but sweet mornings work

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On 9^th February 2025, Gloucester Vale volunteers visited Tim and Nola Lea at their farm in Elmley Castle. Tim and Nola over several years have transformed their farm to benefit wildlife – replanting hedgerows, establishing orchards and restoring woodlands.

Like many areas of the country, the farms woodlands have been affected by Ash Die back meaning some areas have been cleared and replanted. The new young mixed woodlands trees are planted by hand and need careful attention to maximise chances of success.  

Working on steep banks overlooking the Evesham valley (well in the mist) the group cleared bramble from around the young trees and replaced trees that had died.

As normal Tim and Nola’s hospitality was brilliant. They joined the group for the task and provided a lovely lunch.

2025.01.15 Churchdown pondwork

Thanks to the crew that braved the ice today to clear two ponds at Churchdown. The new pond at Rest Haven has benefited from its plant delivery as well 🙂

2025.01.26 Netheridge NR coppicing

Part 4 of a four part task at Netheridge, (1 Dec 2024, 15 Dec 2024, 29 Dec 2025 and 26 Jan 2025) coppicing a stand of hazel including stacking the usable timber and burning the brash.

The weather was very much against us, as is often the case, but we soldiered on regardless.

2024.12.29 Netheridge NR coppicing

Part 3 of a four part task at Netheridge, (1 Dec 2024, 15 Dec 2024, 29 Dec 2025 and 26 Jan 2025) coppicing a stand of hazel including stacking the usable timber and burning the brash.

Being the last task of the year we marked the occasion with potatoes baked in the embers and cake.

2024.12.15 Netheridge NR coppicing

Part 2 of a four part task at Netheridge, (1 Dec 2024, 15 Dec 2024, 29 Dec 2025 and 26 Jan 2025) coppicing a stand of hazel including stacking the usable timber and burning the brash.

2024.12.01 Netheridge NR coppicing

Part 1 of a four part task at Netheridge, (1 Dec 2024, 15 Dec 2024, 29 Dec 2025 and 26 Jan 2025) coppicing a stand of hazel including stacking the usable timber and burning the brash.