Volunteer Day – Sunday 7th August 2016

Today’s latest session made the most of warm sunshine, something that has definitely been in short supply recently!

Today was in The Glade area, concentrating on weeding, pond maintenance and tidying up our dead wood pile.

Our apple and pear tree trees are producing a healthy amount of fruits, although as can be seen they’re quite small. Weeds have made the most of the warm weather with Rosebay Willowherb taking over around 20 sq yards of soil just to the side of the grassed area in the glade.

Smaller both in size and numbers than pears in general.

Smaller both in size and numbers than pears in general.

One of the many pears now growing

One of the many pears now growing

More pear fruits rapidly growing.

More pear fruits rapidly growing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Second Successful Open Day for Westcombe Woodlands

Our second open day took place in the afternoon of Saturday 7th May 2016.  Our afternoon session allowed more than 100 people to see for themselves the work that has taken place since the last open day 6 months earlier.  The warmth of Spring was definitely felt in the woodland, allowing early flowering plants to take advantage of the open woodland canopy.

The photos below 2 areas of woodland plants in The Glade area; the first shows a patch of recently planted common bluebells that are already well developed and with regular maintenance will continue to spread; the 2nd shows a patch of woodland plants we planted as small plugs 2 years ago.  All are growing well in the conditions offered.

Newly planted bluebells in full bloom

Newly planted bluebells in full bloom

Woodland plants in The Glade

Woodland plants in The Glade

 

 

 

 

 

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Volunteer Day – Sunday 7th February 2016

This morning’s volunteer session saw 2 new volunteers arrive and the return of 3 others.  The main focus of the day was to take the saplings we ordered and to plant these on the footpath leading from the top of our newly installed steps, leading towards The Glade.

Two committee members infront of an overgrown fence, before work started to plant the area

Two committee members infront of an overgrown fence, before work started to plant the area

Volunteers filling in the cleared trench with newly planted saplings

Volunteers filling in the cleared trench with newly planted saplings

Committee members planting our newly created thicket

Committee members planting our newly created thicket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Volunteer Day – Saturday 9th January 2016

Last Saturday saw our first volunteer session of the new year. In addition to our usual plan of general weeding and making sure all is well inside the woodland, the main aim today was to plant 5 elm saplings which were supplied to us from The Conservation Foundation (www.conservationfoundation.co.uk) who have supplied us with 5 elm saplings as part of a project to see why some elms survived Dutch Elms Disease and to see if saplings which show disease resistance can be successfully grown.

The photos below show the saplings in their pots before they were planted and 2 volunteers getting ready to plant the saplings. The label shows the variety of the elm and the location from where it came from. Over the months we hope to provide updates of these saplings with their health.

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Successful Open Day for Westcombe Woodlands!

Sunday, 4th October 2015 saw the official and formal opening of the Woodlands to the public. After some 4 years in the making, we saw blue skies and glorious sunshine greet some 350 people through our gate.

The opening ceremony was presided over by the newly elected MP for Greenwich & Woolwich, Matthew Pennycook.

The photos below show Matthew cutting the ribbon at the new entrance to woodland with the ceremonial garden shears after delivering a welcoming speech to the crowd. The next photo shows people heading in to the woodland.

Matthew Pennycook MP declares the woodland open!

Matthew Pennycook MP declares the woodland open!

Members of the public walking towards The Glade area after the opening ceremony.

Members of the public walking towards The Glade area after the opening ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the people who attended the open day have never experienced at first-hand the inside of the woodland, so this was a great achievement for all the committee members and volunteers’ efforts over the years.

People looking around The Glade area.

People looking around The Glade area.

People looking at the information boards.

People looking at the information boards.

Chairman Tim Barnes taking part in the woodland activities.

Chairman Tim Barnes taking part in the woodland activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above photos show the area known as The Glade with people looking around this area and looking at the information boards and taking part in some of the activities that were put on through the day.

Below is a photo of the refreshment stand which had drinks and refreshments for sale including cakes made by committee member Don Albrecht’s children. Donations taken on the day amounted to an incredible £175! Finally, we have the The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor Norman Adams standing at the new entrance and another of him with the public in The Glade area.

Cakes and drinks being sold on the refreshment stall

Cakes and drinks being sold on the refreshment stall

Mayor of Greenwich in The Glade area

Mayor of Greenwich in The Glade area

Mayor of Greenwich standing at the new woodland gate entrance

Mayor of Greenwich standing at the new woodland gate entrance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day was a resounding success, generating much interest with new members eager to join in next year’s activities. It’s hoped we will be able to undertake another open day in the Summer of 2016.