Giving the Primroses a Start

On Monday 9th September, we were helped by another five volunteers. This time they were from Dalcour Maclaran and came to help us as part of their company volunteering scheme. The area up the valley path near post 10 has a lot of bracken and other vegetation growing on it. This is where lots of primroses and some bluebells grow in the spring. The primroses need lots of light so we had to clear the bracken away to give them a fighting chance.  

This was the rather daunting sight that greeted our volunteers Emma, Henry, Lucas. Ollie and Sam.

They hadn't used scythes before but after some tuition they set to and were soon making progress.

They got the hang of scything quite quickly and removed the bracken and grass until ,,.

,,, the whole area had been cleared and we could look forward to the primroses appearing next spring.

Having cleared that area we moved on to the rather hidden part that is the former cowshed. This is now just some concrete slabs - no buildings are left; but it would be good place to safely light a fire. It is tucked away behind some trees and lots of brambles ...

As you can see from the photos above this was no easy task ... 

... but Emma, Henry, Lucas. Ollie and Sam got stuck in and made real progress.

They also recovered our bench which had been damaged and left halfway down the slope below the viewpoint. It was carried down the hill very carefully then left in the now cleared cowshed to await repairs.

It was a marvellous effort and we were so impressed by their hard work and cheerfulness. Dalcour Maclaren should be proud of you, and you are welcome back anytime you like.

All Downhill from Here

At our work party on Sunday September 8th we carried on from the previous work party to complete the clearance of the path from the bridge down to the ride past the allotments towards post 2. We had reached the pylon last time so it was all downhill from there.

You can see that the path was getting narrower as the grass and other vegetation encroached.

Andy and Eric started at the top then worked their way downhill ... 

... while Alan R and Chris began at the bottom and worked uphill. I went to the middle and did some uphill, and some downhill. 

When Chris had finished his section at the bottom of the hill he came up to help me finish the middle bit, and join up with 'down hillers'. Alan R finished off the bits left by the BT volunteers the previous Thursday.

Before long the the two sections met and we had a complete path again. Some strenuous work on a sunny morning to achieve our objective. 

Scything in the Rain

Yesterday, Thursday 5th September, we were helped by five volunteers from BT who came to help us as part of their company volunteering scheme. The area between the allotments and the path has a lot of bracken and other vegetation growing on it. We removed a lot of this earlier this year in May but it has regrown and it was time to cut it back again. It had rained a lot overnight, and there was still some rain falling but even though the BT volunteers hadn't used scythes before they were keen to give it a go.

This was the rather daunting sight we started off with.

After some scything tuition they set to and soon made progress.

The rain had returned but they didn't give up and kept at it.

They mowed and raked then dragged the arisings off and put them in the pit. While they worked the rain kept falling and became quite heavy ...

... but they didn't stop and kept going until the job was done.

It was a marvellous effort and we were so impressed by their hard work and cheerfulness in such awful weather conditions. Well done girls, BT should be proud of you.

Clearing a Path

At the work party last Wednesday 28th August we spent a lot more time clearing some of the grass blocking the path from the bridge uphill towards the pylon, then down to the path alongside the allotments. This is usually cut by the South Gloucester mowing team but unfortunately their mowing machine is still out of order. We can't just leave the grass because it will fill up the paths and open areas. So, we got the scythes out again and started to mow and rake.

This is looking down the path towards the bridge ...

... and this is looking back up the path from the bridge. You can see how the grass and other vegetation is encroaching over the path.

We began with the section from the bridge leading up to the meadow area. Chris, Mike and Eric opened up this bit and access is now much easier for walkers.

Next door, further up the path, Lorraine, Peter, Alan R and Dendy are making progress ...

... and getting closer to the top of this slope.

Meanwhile, Erika has forged on ahead and is making good progress.

After a morning of hard work the path to the bridge is clear ...

... and we nearly reached the pylon. More to be done but that will keep for another day.

Erika's August Flowers

 

It was very hot scything on the Jubilee Way today, August 11th. It had been getting overgrown with nettles, thistles, blackthorn and formidable brambles. The blackberries were ripe, juicy and tasty.

The photos show flowers from the meadow area near the Jubilee Way.

Knapweed, a thistle type flower.

Rose Bay Willow Herb, in which each plant can produce 80,000 seeds attached to tiny parachutes. They can disperse over long distances, which helps them colonise waste ground.

Old Man's Beard, the native clematis.

In this photo there is a Teasel, Wild Carrot and Ragwort.

And finally, this photo shows a Cinnabar Moth caterpillar, which only feeds on Ragwort.

All photos by Erika Booth

Two Work Parties and Lots of Grass

At the last two work parties - the end of last month and yesterday on Sunday 11th August, we spent a lot of time clearing some of our grass. This is usually cut by the South Gloucester mowing team but unfortunately their mowing machine is out of order. We can't just leave the grass because it will fill up the paths and open areas. So, we got the scythes out again and started to mow and rake.

We started here in the Welcome Area at the entrance to the woods from the field next to the Leisure Centre

The grass was cut down and raked off to one side then ... 

carried away by pitchfork ....

and dumped in one of our grass pits.

We worked our way around the Welcome Area

Until all was done. A good morning's work.

---------- oOo ----------

Yesterday, Sunday 11th August, we continued this clearing work up at the Jubilee Way. This is a 17 mile long path that starts at Aust by the Severn Bridge and ends at Old Sudbury near the Cotswolds. On its way it passes through Filnore Woods and it's part of our job to keep it clear for walkers.

The section we needed to deal with was the eastern end as it leaves Filnore by a kissing gate.

This is looking back from the kissing gate into the woods ...

... and this is looking the other way where Erika is making a start.

Here, Alan R is cutting down the thicker vegetation at the edge which will cover the path if we don't clear it away.

It was getting quite warm by mid morning so we stopped for some water and checked on the progress so far.

We carried on after our break and before long the path could be seen beyond the kissing gate ...

... and back down along the hedgerow into the woods. Plenty of room now for anyone walking along the Jubilee Way.

Into the Jungle!

At the work party we held just over  week ago on Sunday 14th July we took on the short path that links the top of the steps leading up from the bridge to post 6 with the viewpoint area. This is really a short cut and not part of the trail shown on our information board at the entrance to the woods and on our leaflets. It is used quite a lot though by dog walkers and people just out for a walk.

The mild winter and high rainfall over the past few months has increased the growth of the grass and nearby trees to such an extent that the path has turned into a jungle!

Alan R and Chris started to clear the path from the viewpoint end ...

While Andy had a go from the other side.

Peter and me went to the other end of the path and worked our way to meet Andy in the middle.

 

We now have a nice wide path for our visitors and their dogs.

Photos by Alan Watts