FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 8th May 2025

Hello Conservation Volunteers

It was a bit more of the same again for our latest work morning, continuing on from our last session with more large-leaved aven pulling.

A couple of us first went to Wilson's Field to finish pulling out some avens which were left from last time before joining the main group who were working on the bridleway between Highcliffe Road and Whiteley Wood Road.

The bridleway was festooned with the pesky avens, some as large as cabbages, with some just coming into flower! These were much easier to pull out than those last time in Bingham Park, plus we had come armed with garden forks this time which made life easier. Very satisfying pulling out the large ones.

John and Jenny went above and beyond by volunteering to wheel two wheelbarrows all the way from Forge Dam to Shepherd Wheel to aid carting all the black bags full of avens down the bridleway to Shepherd Wheel ready for pickup by the Parks team. The barrows could only carry about three bags at a time (otherwise they fell off on the bumpy ground) so there were a few trips to be made during the morning by anybody who happened to fancy a walk. (John and Jenny then had to wheel them all the way back to Forge Dam after we had finished for the morning!)

The full stretch was de-avened as far we could tell. In some areas the avens were flourishing amongst tall nettles but were dealt with. This time we collected 27 bags of avens.

The grass verge on the stretch of road between Greystones Road to the bridleway junction has recently become a major eyesore with people throwing their unwanted cans, takeaway cups etc. out as the pass by in their cars. It never used to be like this. Anyway, Helena volunteered to litter pick and collected a full bag of litter. Thank you, Helena, it looks much tidier!

Elsewhere Mike, Chris N and Charles were at Forge Dam doing some much needed maintenance on the duck race launch and finish kit. After 10 years it needed some attention. They are also looking into redesigning the finishing line with some sort of floating contraption so it is always the correct height for the water level. Sounds interesting - we look forward to that guys!

Thank you to everybody who came along and thanks to Mandy for her orange butter cookies (two each!). Apparently, an American recipe. Quite apt for pulling out the invading American avens.

The next work morning is on Tuesday 20th May where we will be working with Ranger Matt on urgent conservation work on the ancient woodland in Trippet Wood where a significant amount of damage has been caused by bike trails. The council has previously put up cease and desist notices but they have not only been ignored but have extensively increased the tracks. Matt has put up notices in preparation saying the tracks will be removed. It is a large area and we will need as many as possible on the day to help please.

An email will be sent out with detail soon.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

A large-leaved aven in flower - notice large lower leaf, bit like a strawberry

Hugh with a barrow load on the way to be dropped off at Shepherd Wheel

Jenny and David tackling a very large bed of avens

John wheeling a few bags away

David M taking a breather whilst watching others pulling!

Hugh now on digging out duty

Rebecca, Tony and Roger tackling some large avens on the small stream side

David M taking another breather in the avens!

Jenny about to tackle some very large avens

Teams working their way down the bridleway

Mandy handing out the orange butter cookies

Some of the team:- Hugh, John, Rebecca, Jenny, Tony, David M, John G

27 bags of avens plus one bag of litter

John and Jenny taking the wheelbarrows back to Forge Dam!