Woodland Workparties 2009

8 November 2009

6 volunteers started to cut and prepare our third crop of hazel poles. This final section of bushes has been allowed to grow for 8 years since the whole area of coppice was levelled to the ground in 2001. This crop of poles are sturdy and many may be suitable for hedge laying posts. In 2011 we plan to continue the cycle and return to the first third of coppice, cut for wattles in 2006.

11 October 2009

Despite steady rain, 30 adults and children turned out to plant 500 native bluebell bulbs, donated in memory of William Morris. Our workparty also cut new paths through the hazel coppice to make it suitable for use by Leafield Pre School, as part of a Forest Schools project. We toasted William with beer, coffee and home made elderflower cordial and remembered his enormous contribution to the set-up and maintenance of our Community Woodland.

9 August and 13 September 2009

5 adults scythed nettles and raked mown grass from the glade and rides. In August, we also cut back brambles from the western fence, to facilitate inserting new posts and re-stretching the wire at a later workparty. Hopefully this will make the experience much less prickly!

14 June and 12 July 2009

The June workparty was cancelled, as no committee members were available. 8 volunteers cut new paths through the central block of ash, oak and field maple on a sunny July morning, to allow visitors to explore new areas and provide an alternative route for wet days.

10 May 2009

4 adults and teenagers raked cut grass from the paths and prepared bean and peasticks for sale at the village fete.

8 March and 12 April 2009

Our March woodland workparty of 9 adults and children cut back blackthorn suckers and cleaned out the nestboxes. A welcome break for coffee and biscuits was followed by a dash for home with the onset of a sudden hailstorm.

The April workparty was cancelled as it coincided with Easter Day.

11 January and 8 February 2009

The January and February workparties were cancelled due to wintry weather. The Wychwood Project has already used hazel stakes and binders, cut during our November workparty, on a hedge at Gagingwell. More hazel rods await collection by the thatching company Rumpelstiltskin , so our little woodland is already yielding useful products. All proceeds will go towards maintenance and public use insurance for the Community Woodland.

Workparties in 2008

2009 news index