Don’t forget that the volunteer task dates can permanently be found by navigating to ”About Us“ > ”Job Vacancies and Volunteering Opportunities” > then scroll 3/4 of the way down the page to find the “Conservation Task Diary Dates” link.
After a somewhat damp summer, we’re looking forward to a dry and mild autumn with a full task schedule to keep us busy. There’s nothing like a clear autumn day in the woods – the smell of a bonfire, the brilliant colours of the changing season, good company and rewarding work. We’ll see you there in September!
Autumn 2012 Volunteer Task Dates:
September 2012
Wednesday 5th – Lusty Glaze, Worcs:
We’ll be clearing scrub, burning brash and reducing trees. There’s a bumper crop of apples on the way at Lusty Glaze, so if you’re making cider, juice or baking crumble this autumn – bring some bags and get picking!
Wednesday 12th – Chapter Meadows, Worcs:
Our pleasant pastures need a lot of upkeep so we’ll be tackling scrub, maintaining access routes and pruning trees. With any luck, we should have Rick’s cattle for company too.
Wednesday 19th – Cherry Orchard allotments, Worcs:
A new site for 2012, the allotments are the centre of Worcestershire Community Land Co-op’s work. There’s a lot to be done here, with everything from fencing and access work to irrigation and water management in the long-term plan. Go to www.wclcoop.org to see what they’re up to.
Wednesday 26th – Tom Shell Coppice, Abberley:
Paul and Steph’s 9.5 acre semi-ancient mixed woodland is the site for our return to coppice work. The birds have flown the nest and it’s time to get the trees back under control. There’s also hedge work, step building and scrub clearance to be done.
October 2012
Wednesday 3rd – Amestry wood, Rushwick:
Now fully back into the coppicing swing of things, we’ll be continuing our work in the woods at Rick’s farm. This old English broadleaf wood with fishing pond and pasture is the perfect setting for a fire and a cup of soup – and that’s just what we’ll do!
Wednesday 10th – Amestry wood, Rushwick:
Adding to our previous work, we’ll be tackling a new section of coppice to get the trees under control, clear scrub, create new wildlife habitats and burn brash. Any excuse for a fire…
Wednesday 17th – Cherry Orchard allotments, Worcs:
This 10 acre site was formerly a donkey sanctuary and there’s plenty of work to be done to turn it into the cider producing, brick making, fertile allotment that co-founder Nigel Leech has in mind. It’s a great project that we’re proud to be part of. See www.wclcoop.org for details.
Wednesday 24th – Perrywood coppice, Worcs:
This large mixed woodland, managed by Worcester City Council (WCC) is another site in need of coppice work and with the birds having flown the nest and the sap now falling; this is the time to do it.
Wednesday 31st – Perrywood coppice, Worcs:
With the sound of sawing, chopping, burning and slashing in the air, we’ll be producing firewood, opening habitats and creating the conditions for energetic re-growth next spring.
November 2012
Wednesday 7th – Amestry wood, Rushwick:
Our final visit to this woodland this autumn; the hazel stools should be prepared for their next lease of life and Rick’s firewood piles should be looking full, ready to fire up his biomass heater and warm his new home.
Wednesday 14th – Copcut Park, Droitwich:
This is the final year of our 3 year plan with Droitwich Spa Town Council to improve the woodland and pond at the park. The project, which has seen precision logging operations; towing trees across the pond with the landrover, should be as engaging as ever as we consolidate our hard work here to date.
Wednesday 21st – Tom Shell Coppice, Abberley:
With the sun now low in the sky and the temperature falling, there’s still plenty of coppice work to be done here and no better excuse for another fire!
Wednesday 28th – Chapter Meadows, Worcs:
Returning to our very own meadows for the final task this season, we bring autumn to a close with scrub clearance, tree pruning and repairs to any wear and tear that the cattle may have caused. Oh go on then, we’ll have another fire and a bit of warm grub.
Alastair.
