Woodland Conservation Group - Fridays

Friday, 29th August 2025

Jack Wood

The heavens opened and the rain poured - a very wet start to Friday’s Woodland Conservation Session.  But, as you will know by now, very little deters us from our desire to protect and restore the woodlands.  Fifteen volunteers joined the session and between them contributed another 42 conservation hours.

The pouring rain did not deter our volunteers!

Half the volunteers focussed on brambling within the bluebell area, cleared several areas of rampant brambles, enabling more light to reach the woodland floor and more space for the bluebells and other woodland plants to spread. More work will be carried out here in future sessions. Other volunteers removed the bracken and brambles from either side of the Green Chain Walk, adjacent to the opening to Middle Path - and what a difference this has made - exposing the dead, fallen trunks and a large stretch of the verges to the light.  A great start!

We were able to take a rest on the newly cleared logs and there was room for everyone!

Katie took used the opportunity to talk with volunteers present about changes within the Friends - the commencement of a new Saturday Coppicing Group; also the opportunity to become Membership Volunteer or Health & Safety Volunteer, or a Member of the Steering Group.

Watch out for more blogs on this area. We will be returning to this area over the next few sessions with the aim of building up and extending the existing dead hedge, following the line of the original picket fence, parts of which remain beneath the overgrown ground vegetation and competitive trees.

Great work everybody!