Newsletter - Dorset Countryside Volunteers

Dorset
Countryside
Volunteers
No 177
August - October 2016
Reg Charity No 1071723
www.dcv.org.uk
Who we are, what we do, where, why
and how . .
DCV is . . .
A DCV day lasts . . .
· A practical conservation group run by volunteers
since 1972 doing practical work in the
countryside that would not otherwise be done
· 10.00a.m. – 5.00p.m. approximately including
breaks for drinks (which are supplied) and lunch
(please bring your own lunch)
· Volunteers are male and female, from all walks
of life and from all over the county
· Work is seasonal, e.g. woodlands in winter hedgelaying, coppicing; in summer dry stone
walling, clearing ponds, footpath work
· Organisations we work for include: Dorset
Wildlife Trust, Heritage Coast Project, Natural
England, Amphibian Reptile Conservation Trust
· We work at weekends throughout Dorset
· No super-human strength or special skills
needed, or attendance on every task or even for
the whole weekend - any time is a bonus for us
and for you!
DCV offers . . .
· Practical care for the environment
FINDING DCV . . .
· Maps with the task programme (at the back of this
newsletter) show the locations of task sites
· DCV website dcv.org.uk
· Facebook
· Look for DCV’s yellow arrows near the worksite or
the DCV information board may show an
explanatory note
· If unsure of the worksite try to arrive by 10.00 to
meet other volunteers. The worksite may be some
way off. Lost? give us a call on 07929 961532
(after 10.00 a.m.) ring longer than normal
FOOD & DRINK
· Opportunity to learn new skills - training given
· Use of all necessary tools
· Please bring your own lunch
· Beautiful countryside, social events, fun &
companionship
· DCV provides free hot/cold drinks and biscuits
during the day - bring your own mug if you wish
YOU should bring . . .
· Occasionally DCV may hold a shared lunch or
supper (aka bring a dish) when it is usual for people
to bring some food to share around
· Stout footwear (steel toecaps if possible)
· Old clothes (wear layers) Long trousers and
sleeves are best
· Tough gloves (we have some to sell/lend)
· Waterproofs, sun block, sun hat, insect repellent
· Lunch and some water
· Don’t forget an up to date tetanus jab
Reaching a task . . .
· If you need, or can offer, a lift phone Richard
Meatyard or Peter Warren 3 days before a task
· Lifts from Wool station (toolstore is nearby)
· Travel links: http://www.morebus.co.uk/
https://www.dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset/rail
· Note: If you have a medical condition or allergies
of any sort, please carry a card and bring
necessary medicines. If you wish, bring this to the
attention of the task leader. Please complete the
“in case of emergency” details at the end of the
newsletter, and bring on task. “In case of
emergency details” can be inserted into a small key
fob which can be attached to your rucksack. Key
fobs are available from Richard Meatyard.
· All youngsters are welcome, but should be
accompanied by a responsible adult.
EDITORIAL
Welcome everyone to the late summer programme. During the quarter just finished DCV has
worked (mostly) or socialised in all four corners of Dorset and looking at the new programme
you will see that our travelling conservation group will once again be rolling out to all points of
the compass - it’s certainly a good way of seeing our beautiful county, geology, landscapes and
habitats.
To help you find your way to task, and because in our modern world we are all becoming more
reliant on technology, we have put onto the maps the nearest post code for those who use
SatNav. We have kept the OS grid references and Richard puts the LatLong on the web site.
Oh and there is still a paper map (so no excuse!). In the diary page where we have a social
event we have also put the nearest post code. Please let the newseds know if there is a
problem.
Shifting seasons means that the bird nesting season is beginning earlier. Therefore, clients
are increasingly stopping us from cutting and burning later in the year, and so now most
woodland cutting has to be stopped by the end of February. But to get the work done they
are asking us, and other contractors, to start earlier in the Autumn and so, this year, we are
coppicing as early as September. This will be the joint DCV/Orchis task so do come along and
join in, see Terry’s article. By the way, we also have a report on the DCV visit to Normandy
in May, see Jane’s article.
DCV has insurance for volunteers so, if you have an accident or incident on task, you should be
covered. If anything like this occurs, please report it to the task leader who then needs to
note it on the task report form in case of any claim. If you notice something the next day or
even days later that you think is related to this incident, please let the task leader or Richard
know.
The DCV AGM is here again. Last year’s was very successful, very well attended and we all
had a very chatty and good time, so we highly recommend you attend this year’s, on 10th
September at West Stafford village - details within. Our speaker has yet to be booked. As
always, bring some food to share for suppertime.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this newsletter, be it memories, photos, articles, time
or effort. All contributions gratefully received . . . .
Co-ordinator’s report
Richard Meatyard
This quarter the tasks all seem to
have involved digging, bashing,
pulling or slashing and
sometimes two of more these in
combination. The possible
exceptions to this, depending on
what work you chose, were the
Sundays at Tyneham and Swyre.
At Tyneham, as always here
there was a varied selection of
work to be done with the day
being broken up with what now
seems to be a Tyneham tradition,
the bring a dish lunch. On this
occasion the theme was the
celebration of the Queen’s 90th
Birthday. Leisurely lunches aside
there was grass to be mown,
gardens to weed and a variety of
things to be repaired, cleaned,
moved or removed.
Our first visit to Swyre allowed us
to complete the section of wall
behind the trough and to make a
start on a series of repairs on a
new section of wall in a different
field a little further away from the
village. On our second visit we
progressed these repairs and
prepared the site for the over
winter hiatus, as we don’t expect
to do any more work here until
next year.
Our main digging activity was a
series of sand patching days for
ARC on three of their reserves.
The first of these was Worgret
Heath, a site we haven’t visited
for so long for most members it
was a new site. Here we spent
the morning digging a large sand
patch, something of an
experiment in providing habitat
for invertebrates, before moving
on in the afternoon to dig the
more traditional small sand
patches for the benefit of sand
lizards to lay their eggs in.
The second was at Great Ovens
where we spent the day digging
several series of smaller sand
patches strategically located to
provide staging points between
the long machine generated sand
scrapes. This is to encourage
populations of sand lizards to
disperse around the reserve.
Finally there was a weekend at
East Gore creating a sand scrape
some 4 metres wide by 50
metres long. With a poor turnout
on Saturday it looked like we
might fail this challenge but on
Sunday with a better turnout and
the rather dismal weather
encouraging short breaks, all but
the last few metres were dug
before a rather bedraggled and
weary group headed homewards.
Another activity which involved
digging was the fencing project
on Higher Hyde Heath. This we
started as the last task in the
previous programme. Those that
have worked there will know that
it is a physically challenging site
and task. We are due to install
over a kilometre of fencing, in
conjunction with the DWT
volunteers. The first weekend we
put in and strutted the strainers
for the first 7 sections, circa
300m. On our next one day visit
it was mostly bashing in as we
installed the intermediate posts
and wired up three of these
sections. We also made a start
on moving materials down the
site to be able to continue
onwards on our return, the last
weekend in July. More digging
and bashing.
The remaining tasks of the
quarter were associated with
either digging, pulling or slashing
invasives. For reasons beyond
our control one of our enemies
from previous years, Himalayan
Balsam, has not featured in the
programme although during the
Ragwort pulling weekend at
Studland we did find a small
clump of the pink horrors and
promptly despatched them.
With the Ragwort around
Greenlands Farm under control,
our Ragwort pulling site on
Studland in previous years, our
efforts this year were in the fields
just to the north of the village. On
Saturday, the good weather
meant the task was followed by a
well attended and well earned
BBQ in Middle Beach Car Park
BBQ area. After which Don took
us on a short tour of the nearby
WW2 defences on a near idyllic
Summer evening.
The other native invasive that
has featured in this programme
has been thistles. The first attack
on these was at Loscombe, one
of my favourite sites, although I
will confess after two days of
slashing them the novelty had
definitely worn off. The good
news was that we just about
completed clearing the worst
areas, most of which were in the
areas where gorse has been
cleared in recent years and the
weather, as it often is at
Loscombe was kind to us. As the
seeds are a favourite of Gold
Finches, small flocks of which
were seen and heard flitting
around both days, in all the three
fields we left small blocks of
thistles for their benefit. Happy
thistle cutting at South Poorton
and Kingcombe.
ASSOCIATION ORCHIS DCV EXCHANGE 2016
On Friday 20th May, 11 DCV
members (Don and Val had gone
over ahead of us) took the early
morning ferry from Poole to
Cherbourg for another
memorable weekend with our
twin conservation group ‘Orchis’
in beautiful Saint Vaast-laHougue, Normandy.
The crossing was calm and
pleasant and we were met by our
Orchis friends at the port who
immediately laid out coffee, tea
and delicious homemade cakes on
the picnic table by the port car
park. Fortified with this, we were
driven to Saint Vaast to visit an
oyster farm run by Stephanie,
who had taken this local business
over from her parents. Stephanie
gave us a really interesting talk
about oyster farming, with
translations by Mary ( I never
realised how complicated and
labour intensive it was!), and
showed us a video of the whole
process through the seasons.
Friday evening, in a bit of a
departure from the normal
schedule, we all met up at the
Town Hall for a ‘bring a dish’ meal
laid on by our hosts. There was a
fantastic selection of savoury and
sweet tarts, salads etc. lots of
fresh baguettes, oysters - that lots
of brave people tried for the first
time and, of course, a never
ending supply of wine, cider and
cassis especially for ‘Kir’ with
wine, or ‘Kir Normande’ with cider
– delicious! (why don’t we ever do
that with our cider?)
After a good night’s sleep and a
great breakfast in our hosts’
homes, we met at 10am on
Saturday for our task for the day.
The task this year was really
fascinating, helping to clear paths
through a ‘lost’ garden on the
outskirts of Cherbourg. We
started the day (of course) with
coffee and cakes and then met
with the head gardener in charge
of the garden
restoration,
Christophe
Guerrand
who gave us
a short talk
on the work
involved and
took us on a
tour of the
accessible
parts of the
garden – more like an expedition
into the jungle!
The Jardin Botanique de la Roche
Fauconnière is a private botanical
garden located in the Parc de la
Fauconnière, Cherbourg. The
garden was created in 1870 by
Alfred Favier and maintained by
subsequent family members Léon
Favier and lastly, Dr. Charles
Favier.
With stunning views of
Cherbourg, nestled on the side of
a steep hill, in a geological fold of
schist and granite, the site is
exceptional, and contains over
4000 species of beautiful and
often rare plants from New
Zealand, The Himalayas, China,
South America and South Africa.
Sadly, in 1993 with the
disappearance of the doctor, the
heirs of the family estate were
unable to keep up the maintenance,
and the
garden fell
into oblivion
and became
totally
overgrown.
Finally, the
lovely old
Favier house
on the site,
already
vandalized
and
squatted,
was set on fire one day in February
2009, and is now a ruin, in a very
poor state.
An association has been created,
however, to try to give a future to
this garden and its collections,
AJBRF (Association du Jardin
Botanique de Roche Fauconniere).
An agreement was signed between
the heirs, the Coastal Conservancy
and the City of Cherbourg. The
agreement lasts for 99 years, but
there is a huge task ahead, for
mainly volunteers, to restore and
maintain this urban oasis and allow
future public access.
The Botanical garden of the Roche
Fauconnière, therefore, needs all
the help it can get!
There were 33 people working that
day, 13 from DCV, 13 from Orchis,
and the rest from the Association.
We got a tremendous amount of
work done and in a very good spirit,
despite the less than perfect
weather, with a couple of heavy
downpours. I think our French
counterparts were surprised at how
ASSOCIATION ORCHIS DCV EXCHANGE 2016
cont’d . . .
much we managed to clear that
day, and we uncovered some
interesting relics of the old garden
– stone steps with the remains of
terracotta urns and a decorative
stone pool, as well as some
beautiful specimen trees.
The
lunchtime
BBQ of
sausages
in
baguettes
with
salads and
hot drinks
was very
welcome,
and we
took some
shelter from the rain in a large
shed on the site. While there we
were shown an unusual
‘Serinette , a small hand cranked
Back entrance
pin barrel organ that sounds like a
bird whistling popular tunes.
They first
appeared in
France in
the 18th
century and
were used
to teach
caged birds
to sing.
Serin is
French for
canary.
After a very successful day we just
had time for a quick shower and
change of clothes before another
delicious feast and sociable
evening in the Town Hall.
On the Sunday we had the
morning with our individual hosts
and many of us went for long
walks and managed to fit in a visit
to that amazing shop ‘M. Gosselin’
in the centre of Saint Vaast to
stock up on goodies to take home.
Then, after yet another lovely
meal together, Phillipe from
Orchis took us to visit a couple of
interesting local churches. The
first was the pretty 11thC church
of St Martin at Reville, built on a
high rock as a landmark to sailors;
it was also the birthplace of the
artist Guillaume Fouace. Next we
visited the church at Montfarville,
built in 1763 of local white
granite; the vault and chancel
were also decorated in 1879 with
paintings by Guillaume Fouace.
The weekend was over all too
quickly, our thanks go to Terry for
all his organisation and I’m sure
we are all looking forward to our
next visit, and to welcoming our
Orchis friends to Dorset in
September.
Jane Faulkner
Derelict house
Out buildings
DCV/Orchis work
areas in blue/grey
Web links to photos and gardens
Orchis Trip 2016
Serinette
Jardin-favier ouest-france
Fauconniere facebook
Sensation jardin
ORCHIS TRIP PHOTOS
Photos thanks to Jane Faulkner, Anne-Marie, John Saxty, Val & Don Simcock
Memories are made of this . . . .
A few memories that stand out from the DCV trip to Normandy
The high point for me, in
one sense anyway, was
getting the chance to
climb to the top of
Gatteville lighthouse.
And I certainly won't
forget the handkerchief
tree, having never seen or
heard of one before.
Chris
I was amazed, after one days work with DCV, to be invited to
France. What a wonderful weekend! The hospitality from
everyone was excellent especially from my host Sylvie Bourdon.
After a hard days work at the botanical gardens Sylvie took me
sightseeing and to the local fort where she asked if I had a head for
heights. I didn't realise she meant walking on a 12' wall that was
only 2' wide. Luckily we didn't meet anyone!
After an enjoyable meal on Saturday night, Sylvie took me to meet
friends nearby. They slowed down their French so that I could join
in and I did some magic for their young daughter. We got back
after midnight but I felt I had experienced the real France. Thanks
once again to DCV John Saxty
It was a real privilege to work in the Jardin Botanique de la Roche Fauconnière , a romantic
and mysterious place, like opening a door onto the past and peering through. Throughout the
day, as we gently peeled back layers to reveal its glorious past, it was exciting to discover long
hidden features of this beautiful place, terraces, a stone pond, fragments of terracotta
planters, steps leading to another level, all under the watchful gaze of the remnants of a once
splendid house.
Val
For me the most memorable event was at lunch time watching and listening to the restored musical box
called a “Serinette”. This suddenly brought back deep memories when as a child my sister and I would
go into my grandmother’s bedroom, my sister would brush her hair and we would listen to her music
box.
Don
ORCHIS EXCHANGE WEEKEND in Dorset - September 2016
On Friday 23rd September members of Association Orchis will be visiting on their annual trip to
Dorset. On Saturday 24th we will be working for the National Trust in Warren Wood on Studland doing
coppicing work. On Saturday evening we will adjourn to Church Knowle village hall for a meal which will
demonstrate the cooking expertise of some of our DCV members.
All DCV members are welcome to join us on Saturday evening for the meal which will commence about
7pm. A token charge of £5 is made for the meal and although some drink will be available you are
invited to bring a bottle. After the meal we hope to demonstrate to our French visitors our skill with a
dart board and set of darts!!
The task at Warren Wood is a 2 day task so members will be able to work on Saturday and/or Sunday
although Orchis visitors will only be on site on Saturday.
These are always enjoyable occasions and the more the merrier.
In order that we may cater we do need to know the number of people who will be joining us for the
meal. Please therefore contact me or Helen if you would like to join us on Saturday evening.
Terry
-
[email protected]
CLEAN BOOT POLICY
Prevent the spread of seeds and disease
Help protect our native Crayfish, plant life and other wildlife
Our native Crayfish - the White Clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) - are under threat.
The creature is very susceptible to a virulent fungal disease - crayfish plague that can kill them.
This disease is carried by the non native North American Signal Crayfish ( Pacifastacus
leniusculus) which is present in our rivers and streams.
Don’t be the one to spread water-borne disease, or invasive aquatic species!
We can inadvertently carry this disease on our wellington boots and waders.
The fungal spores can remain viable for 6-22 days without a host under wet or damp conditions.
What can we do?
We have been asked to follow the Check Clean Dry procedure. We need to make every effort to
ensure this disease is not carried from one stream to another and that we don’t carry seeds from
one reserve to another
NB: This is a practice we should be following for all pond and stream related tasks so that
we don't inadvertently cause cross contamination.
Please ensure your boots
and waders are cleaned,
disinfected and, ideally,
dried in the sun before
entering any river or
stream.
DORSET COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEERS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Saturday 10th September 2016
6.30 p.m.
West Stafford Village Hall
Speaker: TBA
Please bring food and drink to share
Put the date in your diary now and come along to enjoy this annual reunion.
DCV Clothing available to order
Clothing has the DCV logo and "Dorset Countryside Volunteers" embroidered on.
NB. The wording beneath the logo has changed from "Working for Conservation" to "Dorset
Countryside Volunteers" and our version of the logo without words is then used. The logo is a little
larger.
Adult sizes:
Sweatshirt (crew neck, unisex S to XXL) £16.50,
Sweatshirt (crew neck, ladies, slightly lighter weight material, sizes 8 to 18) £16.50,
Hooded Sweatshirt (unisex S to XXL with kangaroo pocket) £17.95,
Zip Hooded Sweatshirt (unisex S to XXL with side pockets) £21.00,
Polo Shirt (men S to XXL, ladies size 8 to 24) £12.50,
T-shirt (unisex S to XXL) £8.50,
Soft-shell jacket (unisex S to XXL) £45,
Sleeveless soft-shell jacket (unisex S to XXL) £36.
Child sizes:
Child sizes are by age: 2yrs, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9,10, 11/12, 13.
Sweatshirt (crew neck) £10.50,
Hooded Sweatshirts £13.50,
Zip Hooded Sweatshirt £15.50,
Polo Shirt £9.50,
T-shirt £6.50.
Hats and caps: Hats have "DORSET COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEERS" in a contrasting colour
(typically white) but not the logo.
Baseball caps £7.50 (adult or child).
Fleece hat (with turn-up band) £7.50 (adult or child). Note that these are polyester so should be kept
away from fire.
If you are interested in ordering hats/caps let Gareth know, but you may have to wait a while for him to
receive sufficient interest to place an order as there is a minimum order quantity of 4.
Typical examples of colours are: Black, Navy Blue, Bottle Green, Burgundy, Royal Blue, Light Grey,
Purple, and Red although hats have a more limited colour range.
Please note that there may be slight variations in details dependant on the stock that our supplier can
obtain at the time.
Orders take up to 30 days to complete. Payment in advance is by cheque payable to Dorset
Countryside Volunteers. Either collect the clothing on task, or contact Gareth for alternative
arrangements.
Gareth will bring a sample out on future tasks.
Gareth Morgan
[email protected]
07923 498760 (text or voicemail)
Ponds do occur naturally but the vast number of
ponds in Britain are man made usually for a purpose
or as a by-product from some agricultural or
industrial activity. Most village ponds were created
as water storage in case of fire, but not for drinking,
this water was drawn up through a well or spring.
Farm ponds were created for animals to drink from
and garden ponds are created to show off plants,
usually non native ones.
All these bodies of water can and should have a
wildlife benefit if we look after and maintain them,
otherwise they will gradually fill in with leaves, soil
and plants and their benefits will gradually decrease.
This is where groups like Dorset Wildlife Trust and
DCV come in, where we will get into the water and
dig, to maintain the health of the pond.
Newts are common in countryside ponds and as with
the dragonfly, have an interesting life cycle. The adult
lays eggs, which hatch and become a type of
tadpole, quickly growing into miniature newts as they
grow legs and lungs. They then make the transition
from aquatic to terrestrial and leave the pond. They
are carnivorous and will eat insect larvae and
molluscs in the water and anything smaller than
themselves when on the land. Some newts will over
winter before emerging onto land and they will
hibernate in the winter in walls and under stones.
DCV has in the past few years been working on
the pond at Tyneham, fed from a stream, where
we have been digging out silt and some weed
from a different section each year. We will be back
again this year. We will also be working for the
National Trust at “Fishponds” in West Dorset to
remove the New Zealand Pigmyweed (also called
Australian swamp stonecrop) known as
“Crassula”. Brought to this country as an
ornamental weed for ponds, it has escaped into
the wild and smothers ponds with its excessive
growth blocking sunlight and denuding oxygen
levels and this kills wildlife.
All you need to know
about ponds, their life
and management
Ponds have always been under pressure but
when once there were many thousands of ponds
across Dorset, now there are only hundreds. Many
have been filled in, some have just declined and
become a wet damp place. It’s amazing how just a
little help each year can maintain the biodiversity
of a pond.
Work that needs to be done will include digging
out part of the pond each year, raking out
excessive growth and removing non native plants
that can grow at an alarming rate and smother our
native plants. Less easy to do is to take out non
native wildlife, such as the North American
Crayfish, snails and insects.
Heathland ponds will be much more acidic
than other ponds, and will have different
creatures and plants. The wildlife has to cope
with extremes of temperature and drought and
will include damselflies as well as some
dragonflies, snails, beetles and invertebrates.
Larger ponds will benefit from grazing cattle
disturbing the margins, but as with all ponds
not from dogs as they create too much
disturbance making the water cloudy and
reducing sunlight and oxygen levels.
When digging out or maintaining ponds, it is a
good idea to only dig one part each year to
allow some plants and animals to survive and
re-populate the pond. Dug out weed should be
placed next to the pond as this can contain a
significant amount of wildlife. Much of the
bottom silt can be taken away as this has less
wildlife, but if you have somewhere near the
pond that it can be left then do so. Try not to
disturb other parts of the pond as the silt can
turn the water cloudy, but should settle again
after a few hours.
Many Dragonflies rely on ponds of still or slow
moving water to lay their eggs, which hatch
into nymphs and live under water until they
are ready to emerge, pupate and hatch into
these beautiful creatures. Even garden ponds
are good for this as long as you don’t have
fish, which will eat all wildlife. The nymphs are
carnivores, eating anything smaller than them
selves and the adults catching winged prey
such as midges, mosquitoes and even
smaller dragonflies.
Kingcombe Meadows
13 & 14 August
Managed as a traditional working
farm and grazed by cows &
sheep, without the use of
pesticides, artificial fertilisers and
other modern agricultural
practices. The result is an
amazing patchwork of fields and
hedges, streams, ponds, ancient
green lanes & wooded areas
spreading up the valley either
side of the River Hooke. These
habitats support a wide range of
wildlife from dormice to dippers
patrolling up and down the river,
great-crested newts inhabiting
the network of ponds and orchids
scattered through the grazed
rush pastures. There is an
impressive display of summer
wildflowers in the hay meadows
and in good years clouds of
marbled white, meadow brown
and ringlet butterflies that dance
amongst them.
There will be time on both days
to organise a little walk through
some of these meadows to
admire the wildlife. Volunteers
could bring guide books if they
have them and please tell each
other what you have seen.
Higher Hyde Heath
Sunday 28 August
This heathland reserve is
nationally important for its rare
reptiles with wet, dry and humid
heaths, a selection of peaty pools
and ponds, mire and wet
woodland.
Many of the rare heathland
species can be found here
including smooth snake and sand
lizard, birds include the ground
nesting nightjar, Dartford warbler,
woodlark and tree pipit.
Many interesting dragonflies and
damselflies live in the wetter
areas, whilst grayling and silverstudded blue butterflies can be
found on the open heath. Flowers
include typical heathland species,
such as common heather, bell
heather and gorse throughout,
What to see on task!
Kingcombe Meadows
with sundew, bog asphodel,
sphagnum mosses and pale
butterwort in the wetter heath.
DCV are due back here next
Spring to continue the fencing
work so I am sure we can have a
short lunch time walk to see some
of these marvels of nature. Guide
books at the ready
Upton Wood 3 & 4 September
This “Site of Nature Conservation
Interest” has, besides the wooded
area, wet and dry heathland and is
an important refuge for nature in
the urban area. Besides birds and
reptiles we should see dragonflies
and butterflies. We will ask the
ranger to tell us about some of
these species.
Hod Hill Saturday 1 October
This spectacular hill fort has
many types of downland flower
and there should still be some
out in October. If the weather is
kind, we may also see a few
species of butterfly.
The hill was occupied by the
“Durotriges tribe” in the late “Iron
Age” and if time allows we may
visit the Roman Fort on the NW
corner of the Hill.
Melbury Hill 8 & 9 October
Spectacular views with late
flowers and butterflies should be
a treat. We will also ask the
ranger to tell us a story or two
about the “Dorset Clubmen” and
other historical characters.
COPPICING
What is it?
Coppicing is the cutting back of any tree or shrub and letting it regrow to provide a fresh crop of
wood, which can be cut once more, repeating the cycle, providing a renewable, self-sustaining
resource. To provide a continuous supply, woodland managed on a coppice system would be
felled on rotation, i.e. a small area, a coupe or panel, cut one year, a coupe in a different part of the
wood the following year, etc, returning to the original coupe in between 4 – 30 years depending on
the coppice species, the use the wood was required for and market forces. In a coppice with
standards, specific trees, commonly oak but sometimes ash or other, would be left for 80 years or
more to provide timber for building projects.
Why do it?
Previously . . .
For the medieval woodsman coppicing was a way of making a
living, producing something useful to society, a product that could
be sold. Nothing would be wasted. A primary use for coppice
products was firewood, even the smallest twigs bundled into
fagots for the fire. Charcoal production developed the use of
coppice wood as fuel. Fencing, whether woven hazel hurdles or
fencing stakes, used larger coppice poles. Wattle, for wattle and
daub timber framed buildings was a further destination for
coppice products. The tanning industry supported vast areas of
oak coppice, cut solely for its bark for use in the tanning of
leather. Additional needs, such as thatching spars or hop poles,
often encouraged small, local coppice “industries” to flourish.
Decline . . .
Complex social and political
factors resulted in decline of
coppicing – rising labour
costs, introduction of cheap
coal, lack of modernisation/
labour intensive process,
decreasing flexibility and lack
of interest, coniferisation,
agriculture, neglect.
Today . . .
To the conservationist, the wildlife “spin off”, the rich flora and fauna, is the main reason for maintaining
an uneconomic, labour intensive process today. Coppicing gives a wood an immense variety of
structure, encouraging species once restricted to rides or woodland edge. All stages in growth are
present from newly felled areas to the closed canopy of young trees. The recently cut panel mimics a
woodland glade, the sudden increase in light promoting a flush of woodland flowers, bluebell, wood
anemone, primrose etc, important for a great many insects. As the shrubs grow, other species move in;
nightingales prefer 4 to 9 year old regrowth and a high density of essentially scrub-breeding birds such
as whitethroat, blackcap and garden warbler can be maintained. Non intervention reduces diversity.
This is the key to its richness and value; within the space of one small woodland, coppice management
can provide something to suit all tastes.
Resurgence . . .
Happily, the last decade or so, has seen a revival
in the number of people actively coppicing British
woodlands. Increased demand for products the
woodland can provide, along with acknowledged
ecological benefits of coppicing, has played a
large part in this resurgence. Interest has risen
in greenwood furniture and crafts (made from
freshly felled wood, ideally within three months of
being cut, maintaining a high moisture content,
enabling it to be easily shaped using hand tools),
woodland craft skills, courses in sustainable
woodland management, eco-building,
environmental projects and educational training,
Forest schools.
(Fully sustainable, recycled & renewable article credited to Ian Cross)
Locally
Within Dorset there are hurdle makers, coppice
groups, greenwood workers. Some woods within
Purbeck are managed by National Trust who
encourage local involvement with Community Days.
This autumn/winter DCV will be coppicing in two of
these woods - In September, during the Orchis
weekend, Warren Wood, Studland and this winter we
will be in Langton West Wood, near Langton
Matravers. Both of these woods are worked for NT
by Toby Hoad, woodsman and greenwood worker.
Toby extracts wood with the help of his horse, Fleur
and produces charcoal, bean poles, pea sticks,
greenwood furniture, logs and other items using a
pole lathe. He also trains an apprentice as part of the
Wild Purbeck Scheme, set up by Dorset Wildlife
Trust, Small Woods Association and Dorset Coppice
Group to encourage young people into an industry
that is truly sustainable.
COPPICING . . .
and how to coppice
A coppiced woodland will have trees with multiple stems growing out of the stool (stump), which arise from
dormant buds on the stool. These buds might also grow from the cambium layer of the cut stem, or root
buds close to the stumps. Most shoots come from above ground, but in hazel they can emerge just below the
surface. Coppicing is a highly effective method of producing a great deal of fast growing, sustainable timber
without the need to replant. The ability of native broad leaves to coppice has greatly influenced British woodland. Although trees will regrow from seed there are many hindrances like browsing and shading. As coppiced trees already have a fully developed root system, regrowth is rapid. It is important to note that species
react differently to being coppiced. For example, common alder coppices poorly, and beech coppices better
in the wetter western half of the UK. Ash coppices vigorously, but if the coppicing was done in mid or late
winter the stool may not throw coppice shoots for 15 months. The stump appears moribund all through the
first year after coppicing and then springs into life the following year. (Coppice.co.uk)
Study the tree to decide
which way to fell individual
stems Check:
· lean and likely direction of
fall
· ease of cutting at base
· intertwining tops
· space to drop the stems
Time spent on this will save
problems and avoid accidents !
Remove young growth around
outside of stool. Cut as close
to ground as possible.
Ensure no one is in the
dropping zone before starting
to fell. Always be aware of
those around you.
Stems up to 3in (8cm)
diameter can be cut straight
through. Support weight of
stem with one hand whilst
sawing with the other.
Stems up to 6in (15cm)
diameter should be undercut
on the front (side facing
direction of fall) before being
cut through from behind.
(BTCV training leaflet)
and to trim the stump
afterwards.
On larger stems, cut out a
felling sink (wedge) in the
front. If you are unsure,
don’t hesitate to ask.
Cut at an angle of 30 to 45
degrees from the horizontal
or trim the stump to this
afterwards. Cutting at an
angle away from the centre
helps shed rainwater.
During the early stages many
trees will get hung up. To
untangle these, lift the butt
end and pull it briskly away.
If the tree is too heavy to
lift, lever it up and winch or
roller it.
Deal with hung up trees
immediately, never leave
them . Don’t let anyone walk
underneath them . Ask for
help if necessary.
Clear Brushwood
Clear the site but don’t tidy.
Dead wood, both fallen and
standing, is an important
habitat.
Brushwood (the tops of
It is important that bark is
left intact and tight to the
wood to avoid disease, die
back and ensure next year’s
re-growth.
Leave a stump 2 to 6 inches
high. In some cases it is
easier to cut higher than this
where stems are more
separate and the weight less
trees) can be burnt or cut up
and scattered or made into a
dead wood fence to prevent
deer from browsing young regrowth. The client will
indicate this . If burning,
even a small comfort fire,
make sure there are no
branches overhead or trees
nearby, the heat can kill
them.
How to use cutting tools safely
Take care when cutting and using tools and be aware of others near you . . . cut stumps as low
as possible to avoid others tripping . . .
if the stump is too large for a bowsaw leave it couple
of feet high and ask the chainsaw operator to cut it . . . clear away your cuttings regularly and
don’t expect others to clear up after you . . . . . . .
Bowsaws
· Used for tree felling, scrub clearance, coppicing, cross cutting felled
timber
· The size of timber they can cut is limited by the width and depth of the
bow, so choose your saw size accordingly
· Push and pull the saw with one hand, holding the lever end of the frame
near the blade
· Hold the wood steady with the other hand well clear of the saw in case it
jumps out of the cut
· Do not use your hand to guide the blade
· Saw with easy relaxed strokes using the full length of the blade
· Large bowsaws (36”) are easier to use with a partner. Pull on alternate
strokes
· Change the blade when the following signs occur:
Þ the saw takes much more effort to use than normal or jams in a
straight, non-sappy, cut that is not pinching,
Þ less sawdust, or fine dust rather than small chips is produced
Þ the teeth have lost their set - look along the blade to check this
Slashers
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
Used in hedging for clearing brambles and for scrub clearance
One glove only should be worn, at the heel end
Keep the blade sharp. A blunt blade needs extra effort to use
Keep a safe distance from other people - at least 5 yards (5m). Be
aware of those around you, stop if anyone comes too close
If attracting attention of someone using a slasher, call out, don’t walk
up to them
Swing the slasher through a wide arc, sliding the other hand along to
meet the one at the heel as you start the cut. The cutting is done with
the momentum you have imparted
Keep the blade a few inches above the ground
The front edge of the blade should be angled upwards to avoid
digging into the ground
Sweep the cut material to one side with each stroke
Carry the slasher by your side, held at the point of balance, blade
pointing down and away from you
Billhooks
· Used for hedging, coppicing, scrub clearance, snedding and cleaning up
felled timber
· Normally used one handed but the Yorkshire, with its longer handle
and extra weight, is used most effectively two handed
· Never wear gloves on the hand holding the billhook - it makes the
handle hard to grip safely
· Keep the billhook sharp - sharpen little and often. A blunt blade can
bounce off wood instead of cutting and is tiring to use
· Keep a safe distance from other people
· Cut with the grain, not across
· Never lift a double edged billhook directly towards or over your head
· Do not leave a billhook lying around where it can get lost
· Never leave a billhook driven into a stump - someone may trip over it
or fall on to it
· Carry the billhook at your side
SOCIALS
DCV’s mid June task at
Tyneham saw a variety of tasty
treats at the bring a dish shared
lunch, back by popular demand
and always well attended.
Glasses of home made
elderflower cordial were raised
in honour of the Queen’s 90th
birthday. Tyneham tasks lend
themselves to shared lunches
with the use of the barn if
shelter is needed and with
people working in different parts
of the site, it’s a good
opportunity to get together and
relax.
An idyllic summer’s evening of
warm sunshine found us at
Studland just three weeks later,
following a day’s ragwort pulling.
Food was just one of the
highlights here; while some
prepared a BBQ, others cooled
off in the calm waters of
Studland Bay. A game of boules
followed our feast of delicious
food and finally Don led us on a
walk to discover Fort Henry, the
WW2 observation bunker built
to defend the bay in 1943 from
possible invasion and where
George VI, Churchill,
Eisenhower, Montgomery and
Mountbatten together witnessed
the largest live ammunition
practice of the entire war.
Late July and with the mass of
Hambledon Hill looming above us,
DCV stoically shook off a passing
shower to picnic whilst Clive
Whitborn, National Trust
Ranger, described the life cycle
of the glow worm. Full of
food, we slowly climbed the hill,
pausing to listen to Clive speak
about the history and
archaeology, Neolithic, Iron
Age, Roman . . . to admire the
magnificent view of the
Marshwood Vale spread out
beneath us and the fiery
orange sunset streaking the
sky. In gathering dusk the
first sight of a bright,
greenish, luminous light
indicated we had found our
first glow worm and we
wandered around the ramparts
with exclamations of delight as
we discovered more and more.
Added bonuses included the
sighting of two Noctule bats
circling round above our heads,
a great fireworks display 20
miles away in Poole, the rising
moon on our return to the foot
of the hill. All in all a
thoroughly splendid evening,
enjoyed by sixteen.
So to the coming quarter and
the first social will be at
Tyneham on Saturday 20th
August. A tradition over the
last few years, once again
following the day’s work, we
will be treated to sausages/
burgers cooked on a BBQ.
Please bring contributions to
the meal, e.g. vegetables, salad,
dessert and a drink. If you
have any outdoor games bring
those along too for post BBQ
entertainment. As usual,
please book on this event so
that we know numbers etc . . .
Saturday 10th September will
be DCV’s AGM, once again to be
held in West Stafford village
hall. This will start at 6.30
with the brief ritual of formal
business, followed by a shared
supper. Please bring a dish to
share and something to drink.
We can then sit back and enjoy
listening to our invited speaker.
Saturday 24th September we
will be enjoying dinner with our
friends from Association
Orchis who will be joining DCV
for the weekend. Dinner will
be in Church Knowle village hall,
starting at 7.00 p.m. To cover
costs, there is a charge of
£5.00 per person for this meal.
Please come along and enjoy
this very sociable evening, it
would be good to have as many
DCV members there as
possible. In order that we may
cater accurately, you will
understand that it is essential
to book with Helen.
A late autumn pub meal is
planned for Thursday 27th
October, 7.45 p.m. The Ginger
Fox at Sturminster Marshall
has been recommended - again
please book with Helen so that
we may reserve a table for the
right number.
Finally, if you have any
suggestions for social events
please feel free to share
them . . . . . . . (almost) anything
considered.
D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2016
Sunday 7 August: DCV Tool Store, Wool, Purbeck
We start our new task programme with the yearly outing to our tool
store. A few volunteers do sterling work keeping our tools in working
order. But there comes a time when some thorough maintenance is
required: on the tools, the trailer and the store itself. The most
important job this time is to strip down the trailer so that some rotting
boards can be replaced. Also if the weather is dry, an adventurous
soul or two might venture onto the curving metal roof of the tool store
to treat any rust. And we also need to go through our tools: replacing
or re-setting blunt bow-saw blades, sharpening bill-hooks and
slashers, treating wooden handles with linseed and so on. There will
be plenty to keep us occupied and lots of choice too. Come for all or
just part of the day. The site can be a suntrap, ideal for a leisurely
task, but if the weather is not so good then we can shelter in a
neighbouring barn.
NB: Sometimes we visit the local pub down the road for lunch. Bring
your own lunch if preferred. There will be drinks during the day via
our trusty kettles and stove, along with an assortment of biscuits.
Lower Kingcombe
OS 194
Meet at Pound Cottage
Next to the Kingcombe
centre DT2 0EQ
look for DCV white board
for work site location
DCV Tool Store Wool
Meet & park
in Yard
SY 835 869
OS 194
Caravan park
BH20 6HG
13 & 14 August: Kingcombe Meadows, West Dorset
Our task this weekend takes us to this large area of ancient
meadows and pastures, marshy land and small woods,
holloways and big hedgerows. It is an old landscape, now
protected as a nature reserve and working farm. Our visits in
summer are few, so this will be a chance to enjoy the rich
diversity of habitats in their full greenery. We have been asked
to pull any late abundance of ragwort that may appear in some of
the pastures. More likely we shall be cutting and pulling thistles.
These can grow in abundance, are avoided by grazing livestock
and thus the grassland becomes less suitable for a diversity of
wildflowers unable to compete with the taller plants. The fields
requiring our attention are not yet decided but wherever they are
it will be tranquil and picturesque countryside. And there will be
plenty of time to take in the surroundings while enjoying leisurely
breaks, hopefully in the warmth of high summer.
NB: Rendezvous at Pound cottage and look out for our white
sign board giving directions to the task site.
20 & 21 August: Tyneham, Purbeck
Once again we have been invited back for a summer task at this
wonderful site, and with an evening bonus – read on. The village and
surrounding land were requisitioned by the armed forces during World
War II for essential training. The area has remained in military use
ever since. Over the years the cottages and other buildings slowly
decayed and started to collapse. Lately the village buildings have
been preserved and now provide a glimpse of Dorset frozen in time
from over half a century ago. On Saturday our attention will centre on
the village pond, clearing silt and an over-abundance of pondweed.
There is not so much to do as in previous tasks so we shall probably
complete the job in a day. But several other matters require our
attention and on Sunday too: clearing stonework around the pond,
relaying a stone path alongside the cottages and seasonal vegetation
cutting around the old farmstead. So there’s plenty of choice, both wet
and dry.
NB: Park at the far end of the visitors car park (SY 882 802) at the
end of the lane. You will pass the pond on the way in.
Saturday: those choosing to work in and around the pond will get
muddy and wet – come in suitably old clothes and with wellies. At the
end of the day (from about 6pm) our client has kindly offered to host a
BBQ at the farmstead. So bring something to share and your favourite
drink. Even if you can’t make the task you’re very welcome to come in
the evening, mingle and exchange chat.
Tyneham
OS 194 & 195
Grange Farm
BH20 5DF
D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2016
Sunday 28 August: Higher Hyde Heath, Nr Wool, Purbeck
Way back in the Spring we started a major fencing task at this
heathland reserve. The fence is being erected along the edge of the
reserve, below an area of old mineral workings and landfill restored
to a mix of heath and pine woodland. The fence will enable grazing
across a wider area of the reserve. This should reduce the
dominance of purple moor-grass, creating a more open sward
suitable for bog mosses, sundews and other wetland plants. Now,
several tasks later, the fence runs off into the distance, through pines
and across the heath, but there is much more to do. We shall be
digging in a few more enormous straining posts, banging in
intermediates and stringing up wire with hammers and staples.
Some of the jobs require serious muscle power but there are lighter
jobs, and we work in small groups to share the load and allow plenty
of time for rest and chat.
NB: Park in reserve car park through gate beyond old parking area
for the quarry. The task is on the other side of the adjacent minor
road to the golf course – follow DCVs distinctive yellow arrows. The
route is wet in places so wellies are best. Waterproof boots will be
fine if you dodge around the wet bits.
Upton Wood
OS 195
Meet & park
On Pony Drive
BH16 5SR
Higher Hyde
OS 194
Meet & park
Behind works
SY 855 900
Golf club
BH20 7NT
3 & 4 September: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole border
In recent years this urban fringe site has almost become a
permanent fixture in our quarterly task programmes. This is no
bad thing if we are to judge the worth of our tasks to local people.
Because of its closeness to where people live there are probably
more visits to enjoy this small area of natural greenspace than at
many of our task sites out in the rural countryside. This small site
has lots to offer: a mix of woodland, some grassland and scrub,
streams, and even some heath and a heathland mire. On this visit
we shall get to know the ditches and streams that run through the
mire and into the woodland. We shall be clearing out fallen tree
brash, rubbish and any other obstructions that may cause them to
overflow in wet weather. So for the adventurous there’s the
challenge of navigating, wellie footed into the hard to get to
places. The rest of us will work from the banks. There may be
some vegetation cutting too. As usual our task will be punctuated
by breaks to enjoy stove brewed teas and coffees, an assortment
of biscuits and plenty of chat.
NB: Bring wellies if you have them and come prepared in old
clothes for getting splashed with muddy water.
Sunday 11 September: Fishpond Bottom, West Dorset
For those that missed out on our earlier pond task at Tyneham
then here’s another chance to get wet and muddy. This pond is
much bigger and deeper too. All hands are needed to tackle
the job – removing Australian swamp stonecrop also known as
New Zealand Pygmyweed. Often known by its Latin name of
Crassula, this introduced plant is very invasive and can form a
dense mass almost filling a pond and even growing over the
banksides. It has become a major problem for pond
conservation across lowland England as Carpets of the stuff
smother out other aquatic plants. It can’t be eliminated but with
ruthless use of weed rakes we can greatly reduce its presence
and give our native, less robust plants space to grow.
NB: There is parking near the little church (SY 367983) on the
lower road heading west from the Fishpond Bottom junction.
Look out for DCV arrows to the pond. This will be a wet task for
most but with some landside, drier jobs also required. Bring
your wellies or waders if you have them, wear old clothes and
be prepared to get wet.
Fishpond Bottom
OS 193
Meet & park
At chapel
SY 367 983
Great Coombe
Farm/Fishpond
Bridport DT6 6NR
D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2016
Sunday 18 September: Abbotsbury Beach, West Dorset
This Sunday we are joining the autumn beach clean along the Dorset
coast. And once again we will be tackling our traditional stretch from the
far end of the Fleet lagoon back to the car park, and then west toward
West Bexington. The spring beach clean attracted an amazing number of
volunteers: DCV members, families and walkers turned up during the day
to help out. We collected and sorted a small mountain of litter, mostly
plastics and tin cans, but also fishing gear, disposable barbeques,
footwear, clothing, an enormous boat mooring fender and numerous other
objects. At the day’s end the beach east of the car park was pretty well
litter free. But we only managed to cover a shorter stretch to the west.
Hopefully there will be a lot less litter this time and with lots of help we can
cover the entire stretch of beach both east and west. Come for all or just
part of the day. As usual there will be breaks for teas and coffees and a
choice of biscuits, and plenty of time to chat and compare our ‘best’ finds.
NB: Gloves provided for the day if you forget. Meet at Abbotsbury Beach
car park – bring your newsletter and tell the attendant you are doing the
beach clean for free parking.
Warren Wood
OS 195
Meet & park at
South Beach
car park next to
Bankes Arms pub
BH19 3AU
Work site
Abbotsbury
OS 194
Sub-tropical
gardens
DT3 4LA
Beach car
park
24 & 25 September: Warren Wood, Studland, Purbeck
With the days rapidly shortening, our tasks turn to the use of bowsaw and lopper. This is the first and it takes us to a small wood
behind the low chalk cliffs that overlook Studland Bay. The views
along this coast are spectacular. The wood contains hazel coppice,
an old practice of cutting the growth to ground level every decade or
so for wood products and fuel. Species such as hazel respond to this
cutting by sending up a mass of new woody stems that quickly grow
and thicken, and thereby provide a renewed supply of wood. The
practice also opens up the tree canopy to sunlight, just for a few
years. This allows a host of low growing woodland plants to thrive
that would otherwise die out under dense shade, or be out competed
by taller plants if open conditions persisted. The plan is to cut an
area of hazel coppice near the coast path. We may have a warming
bonfire if the weather is unpleasant.
NB: On Saturday we shall be joined by our twinning friends from
Association Orchis. So do come and enjoy some friendly, mixed
language banter and confusion! We may walk to the task site from
the car park or possibly drive to a closer parking place. Follow coast
path and look out for the DCV instruction board and our distinctive
yellow arrows.
Saturday (split task) 1 October: Hod Hill, Stourpaine North Dorset
Over the coming months we have a series of tasks on the high chalk
downs that overlook the Blackmore Vale. The incredibly steep slopes
defied attempts at agricultural improvement and they have retained
some of the finest chalk grasslands in Dorset. These support a great
diversity of flowering plants and many species of butterfly. The
grassland is easily invaded by thorny scrub which can quickly grow into
dense thickets. It must be cut back to maintain the grassland and its
wildlife. That’s where DCV comes in with its ruthless use of bowsaws,
loppers and a hot bonfire. The last boils our hot drinks and provides a
focus to gather around to enjoy friendly banter.
This task weekend is split between two locations. On Saturday we shall
be on the slopes of Hod Hill where huge earthworks around the summit
plateau mark the presence of an ancient hillfort. Here we shall be
cutting and burning small and large scrub.
NB: Bring stout shoes for tramping over the steep ground. At Hod Hill
please park away from the lane end which is narrow and easily
congested by parked cars. Please consider local residents when
parking. There is a steep, invigorating walk up from the village to the
task site.
Hod Hill
OS 194
Park in village
DT11 8TQ
Meet at
ST 861 097
D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2016
Fontmell Down
OS 183
Compton Abbas
airfield
SP5 5AP
Meet & park in
National Trust
Car park
Sunday 2 October: Fontmell Down, North Dorset
Over the coming months we have a series of tasks on the
high chalk downs that overlook the Blackmore Vale. The
incredibly steep slopes defied attempts at agricultural
improvement and they have retained some of the finest
chalk grasslands in Dorset.
These support a great
diversity of flowering plants and many species of butterfly.
The grassland is easily invaded by thorny scrub which can
quickly grow into dense thickets. It must be cut back to
maintain the grassland and its wildlife. That’s where DCV
comes in with its ruthless use of bowsaws, loppers and a
hot bonfire. The last boils our hot drinks and provides a
focus to gather around to enjoy friendly banter.
This task weekend is split between two locations. On
Sunday we move further north to Fontmell Down where
our attention will be on cutting back thickets of gorse.
NB: Bring stout shoes for tramping over the steep ground.
For Fontmell Down meet at the NT car park and look out
for the DCV sign board with directions.
8 & 9 October: Melbury Hill, North Dorset
This task takes us back to the high scarp of the Wessex
Downs in the north of the county. Here the chalkland
drops abruptly to the Blackmore Vale along a north
curving arc dissected by deep dry valleys and rising to
the high promontory of Melbury Hill. On a clear day the
view west goes on forever. We shall working on the hill
itself, clearing an area invaded by numerous young ash
trees. Ash can grow to become wonderful trees,
particularly along grassland boundaries and in
hedgerows. But in open downland they are less
welcome, replacing the rich abundance of chalkland
flowers and their associated butterflies and other
invertebrate wildlife. We shall be tackling the ash with
bowsaws and loppers, and consigning their remains to a
bonfire to brew our teas and coffees.
NB: Bring stout shoes for tramping over the steep
ground. Meet at the NT car park and look out for the
DCV sign board with directions.
Upton Wood
OS 195
Meet & park on
Pony Drive
BH16 5SR
Melbury Hill
OS 183
Compton Abbas
airfield
SP5 5AP
Meet & park at
National Trust
Car park
Sunday 16 October: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole border
We return to this area of natural wildspace sandwiched
between urban fringe housing and the Upton by-pass. Despite
this context and its small size the area packs in a whole variety
of wildlife habitats, from woodland to wetland. For local people
it’s a place to come and enjoy a more natural environment. On
this occasion we shall be cutting back unwanted bramble. We
shall also dig out young sapling trees that have invaded an
area of heath wetland and transplant them into the woodland
where they will add diversity and interest to areas cleared of
dense holly. This will be a bonfire free task but we will still
enjoy hot drinks brewed by our trusty stove and plenty of chat.
Come along for all or part of the day.
NB: Bring wellies for work the wetland, though waterproof
boots should be fine with nifty footwork around the wetter bits
D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2016
Studland Heath
OS 195
Ferry Co
BH19 3BA
Meet & park
On roadside
SZ 025 844
22 & 23 October: Studland Heath, Purbeck
Saturday is “Make A Difference Day” throughout the UK
This weekend we have a wonderful location on the northern part of
the Studland peninsula. The heath is particularly diverse for its
variety of habitats, plants and wildlife. Nearly all the iconic
heathland species are present: rare reptiles, rare birds, dragonflies
and other rare invertebrates. Also present is gorse, and as a
bushy mosaic with heathers it forms a vital part of the heathland
habitat for many species. This requires its management, cutting
back larger thickets to provide open areas for heathers and
coppicing tall ‘leggy’ growth to encourage the bushy mosaic of regrowth. We shall be cutting gorse in areas near the Poole Harbour
shoreline. Subject to any fire risk, the cut gorse will be put to good
use on a hot bonfire to boil our kettles for teas and coffees. And
while drinking and chatting we can enjoy the lovely views across
the harbour.
NB: Rendezvous at the lay-by at the Greenlands track. Our tasks
may move to sites further toward the chain ferry, so look out for our
distinctive yellow arrows and white board with directions.
Sunday 30 October: Tyneham, Purbeck
We end our autumn programme with a return visit to this
very popular task site. This ‘lost village’ lies in the
Lulworth army ranges. The village and surrounding farm
was requisitioned for military training during World War
II. Peace came but the army stayed and much of the
village fell into a partial ruin. More recently the ruined
village cottages have been preserved and some
buildings restored, including the old school and stone
barns at the near-by farmstead. They now provide a
glimpse of Dorset frozen in time from over half a century
ago. On this visit we shall be putting the wildlife areas
and grounds around the farmstead ‘to bed’ for the winter.
There will be summer growth vegetation to cut back,
picnic tables to pack away and paths to clear. We also
need to complete any remaining work on the stone path
alongside the village cottages and there may be some
hedgelaying too. As usual, lots of choice. And before
the picnic tables are stored away we shall make good
use of them, coming together from our various tasks for
tea breaks, lunch and plenty of chat.
NB: Park at the far end of the visitors car park (SY 882
802) at the end of the lane – the old farm lies beyond
over the bridge and up valley to left.
Tyneham
Clocks go back
one hour at
2:00am on
Sunday 30th
October
OS 194 & 195
Car park
D C V DIARY
Date
August—October 2016
Task Site
Client
Work
7 August
Sunday
Tool Store, Wool
DCV
Annual maintenance
13 & 14 August
Kingcombe Meadows,
West Dorset
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Pulling ragwort/thistle
bashing
20 & 21 August
Tyneham, Purbeck
MOD/Tyneham Farm
Project
various
20 August
Saturday
Tyneham BBQ
6:00pm onward
BBQ food supplied bring
salads & drink
A thank you from our
client for our work
28 August
Sunday
Higher Hyde Heath,
Purbeck
Dorset Wildlife Trust
Fencing
3 & 4 September Upton Wood, Purbeck
Purbeck District
Council
Ditch clearance and
scrub bashing
10 September
Saturday
West Stafford
village hall DT2 8AG
DCV AGM
Next to Wise Man pub
6:30pm
See advert in newsletter
11 September
Sunday
Fishpond Bottom,
West Dorset
National Trust
Pond clearance
18 September
Sunday
Abbotsbury Beach,
West Dorset
Litter Free Coast and
Sea
Beach clean
24 & 25
September
Warren Wood,
Studland, Purbeck
National Trust
Hazel Coppicing
Joint task with Orchis
24 September
Saturday
Church Knowle
village hall BH20 5NG
Dinner and entertainment Booking essential with
with Orchis 7:00pm ish
Helen
1 October
Saturday
Hod Hill,
North Dorset
National Trust
Scrub removal
2 October
Sunday
Fontmell Down,
North Dorset
National Trust
Gorse cutting
6 October
Thursday
Planning Meeting
7:45pm at Viv’s
8 & 9 October
Melbury Hill,
North Dorset
National Trust
Scrub cutting
16 October
Sunday
Upton Wood,
Purbeck
Purbeck District
Council
Bramble bashing and
tree transplanting
22 & 23 October
Studland Heath,
Purbeck
National Trust
Gorse cutting
Make a difference day
27 October
Thursday
Ginger Fox,
Sturminster Marshall
Pub Meal 7:30pm
BH21 4AQ
Booking essential with
Helen
30 October
Sunday
Clocks go back one hour at 2am
MOD/Tyneham Farm
Project
Various
Advance notice
5 & 6 November
Hambledon Hill,
North Dorset
National Trust
Scrub cutting
Tyneham, Purbeck
DCV mobile: 07929 961532 (task hours) ring longer than normal
Please check DCV web site.
Keep a note of the DCV mobile phone number a task may have to be cancelled last minute,
or finish early, e.g. adverse weather conditions.
If coming out later in the day, phone to check the task is still running.