Category Archives: Volunteer Days

Volunteer Day – Saturday 4th November 2017

Normally we are blessed by having such good weather when we do our volunteer sessions and open days, but today looked definitely wet! But despite the greyness, a dozen volunteers and committee members turned up this morning.

The leaves are finally falling and turning yellows, browns with the odd red here and there. When you arrive in to The Glade, the large lime tree immediately as you enter looked magnificent, leaves falling to the ground but still with plenty of colour.

The below photos show leave covered footpaths, along with the autumnal atmosphere.

Fungi on rotting wood can be seen now, a good sign that the local ecosystem is at work, recycling nutrients that can be found.

The pond, despite a bit of pondweed on top continues to look healthy, there was the sound of something jumping in the water when the pond photo was taken. It’s a tribute to how well it was built in that it’s never needed to be topped up with water in the 18 months or so it’s been in place. And despite the cold and wet weather, there was a fair bit of bee activity around the hives too.

The usual weeding took place, with bramble behind the wildflower area in The Glade taking a pounding, but also bluebells and 10 Solomon’s Seal bulbs were added. The cold an wet weather didn’t slow down the progress here!

Volunteer Day – Saturday 2nd September 2017

Last Sunday saw another very well attended volunteer session with over a dozen committee members and volunteers tackling this month’s tasks.

It was disappointing to see that all the pears and apples had been taken by, we assume, local squirrels. Last month we saw around a dozen potential fruits which were looking good, but others got there first!

Pear tree, but without the pears!

Pear tree, but without the pears!

One of the main tasks was the weeding of The Mound area, which had become very overgrown with bindweed, plants working their ways around the small tree saplings. You can see in the photos the impact of 2 hours’ work on the area. Continue reading

Volunteer Day – Sunday 6th August 2017

Last Sunday morning saw another weekend volunteer morning session. Although volunteer numbers were low because of the Summer holidays, we welcomed new faces and undertook many tasks.

The pond was becoming a little overgrown with the grasses at the edges making most of the Summer warmth. As can be seen in the photos committee member Donald Albrecht and 2 other volunteers get to grips by removing grasses to create a more open water area.

Pond clearing by Donald Albrecht

Pond clearing by Donald Albrecht

Pond clearing in progress

Pond clearing in progress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading

Volunteer Day – Sunday 1st July 2017

The first volunteer session of Summer took place the 1st July. Numbers of volunteers were a little below normal, but this didn’t reduce the enthusiasm of the people who were present. We also welcomed 2 new people who had never been to the Woodland before.

Apple tree with small fruit

Apple tree with small fruit

Apple tree with small fruit

Apple tree with small fruit

Pear tree with small fruit

Pear tree with small fruit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading

Volunteer Day – Sunday 7th May 2017

Only a week after our 4th Open Day event saw us back to our usual routine of the monthly volunteer events. Over a dozen people helped out with today’s tasks. The weather is really starting to warm up now, so extra watering of our new plants is required. Of course, this means that the weeds we try and keep at bay are also rapidly growing. The “Mound” area was also weeded to.

Westcombe Woodlands Chairman Tim Barnes at work weeding

Westcombe Woodlands Chairman Tim Barnes at work weeding

Volunteer weeding

Volunteer weeding

Removed Spanish Bluebells

Removed Spanish Bluebells

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading