Special Volunteering Day with Barclays

Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025

Jack Wood

A huge thank you to the team from Barclays who spent the day carrying out conservation work in Jack Wood.  Fortunately, it was cooler than the last few days and, although we were visited by some rain, the temperature was high enough for us to dry out fairly quickly.

Not only do we benefit from the extra time and energy contributed by the Barclays team, but the company also donates much-needed funding to The Friends of Oxleas Woodlands. This donation will, of course, be used to improve the woodlands for everyone.

The joint team of 15 (4 from FOW and 11 from Barclays) contributed a total of 75 hours.  We are delighted to say that not only did we complete essential maintenance on a flight of steps, but we also carried out another valuable ecological activity - bracken-pulling.

Because of their location in a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) the steps, installed several years ago, are constructed of untreated oak.  To help keep them rot-free, and to reduce the likelihood of slips and trips, we started by scraping off all the mud, rotted down leaf mulch etc, and we swept them thoroughly to remove any loose stones.  And what magnificent scrapers and sweepers the volunteers turned out to be!

While this activity was in progress, some of the team rotated through fetching gravel from near the yard.  As the self-binding gravel has been sitting untouched for some time, the first job was to break it up before loading up.   For some, it was their first time using a mattock, although one person was clearly a pro! As for the wheelbarrow, everyone was out of practice. At 50kg a load, and a good distance to travel through the wood, they'll all be feeling it!  Each load was tipped onto each step in turn, before being tamped and stamped down to break down some of the lumps and bumps.  Again, the team attacked the activity with gusto!  Then, came a final sweep and check and, hopefully, this thorough maintenance will help prolong the life of the steps.

A smaller, but no less efficient group, walked almost the length of the middle path, pulling bracken from both beside the paths and further back into the woods in some places.  Bracken is spreading rapidly and, at the opening to the middle path, it has already reached over 5 feet, and not only is it beginning to block the access but it is also creating shade in this sunny spot which is detrimental to the reproduction of other valuable woodland plants and trees.  Now, more light and moisture can reach the woodland floor within the woods and, through repeated bracken-pulling year on year, this plant will weaken.  Next we need to focus on that path entrance!

All in all, we all thoroughly enjoyed the day.   The Barclays team left tired but with smiles on their faces, and feeling a sense of pride in their achievements.  A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this day a success.