FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 8th October 2026

Oct 13

3 min read

Hello Conservation Volunteers

Our recent work morning didn't get off to get a great start. First of all Yorkshire Water had parked all their vehicles and Portakabin in the Wire Mill Dam Park where we were meeting making it a little crowded (the YW workers were a little bemused to see all the FoPV hi-viz-vests descend upon them, maybe thinking we were about to protest?), and then John G turned up with a cut hand needing attention (he had popped along to Forge Dam first to see if the willow was ready for cutting to make our Christmas wreaths, which it obviously is as he came back with a willow hoop!).

Once John had been patched up (and daubed blood on the signing in sheet!) Ranger Matt led us into Bluebell Wood for some cutting back. We stopped in a clearing on an intersection of PROW paths and desire lines. The task was to cut back on all the PROW designated footpaths and bridleways in the woods but not touch the desire lines. Matt proposed we split into small groups who would scatter all over to tackle the various paths, and to this end he had coloured and added boundary lines to a map of the PROW footpaths and bridleways and asked if we could point out where we were. Amazingly, none of us could, guessing every path but the right one! We had no idea where we were on the map. Fearing we would end up all over, the plan changed - we would stick together and all work on the same area at a time "leapfrogging" each other as we made our way along the paths, cutting as we go.

However, we were initially split into two groups with one half of the group to cut back on the paths near the clearing whilst the other half were directed down a path where we were told 2 signposts covered in shrubs and brambles needed clearing. Still not sure where we were, on descending down the path we realised where we were when we emerged onto the bridleway by Armchair Bridge. The first signpost was obvious and had been noted on a previous reccy. Two across the road didn't seem too bad but were cut back. When Matt came down to check and collect us to be reunited with the rest of the group he noted we hadn't done the second signpost which was a surprise to everyone as none of us knew the path (and sign!) existed. It is positioned just a little further up the road from the bridge where it bends towards Wire Mill Dam and exits straight onto the road. The signpost itself was obliterated with leaves and branches. Signpost and path were cleared.

With all the group back together, we traversed many paths and bridleways in Bluebell Wood cutting the footpaths back to a minimum width of 1.2m and bridleways to 1.8m, also ensuring there was plenty of head height.

On our travels we came across a large patch of snowberry which was not documented and will need clearing at some point. A fantastic clump of what looked like honey fungus was found on an ash tree which unfortunately would not be good news for the tree which will eventually die, so will need attention as it was at the side of a footpath.

We come across some unusual rubbish on our work mornings but finding a complete drum of electric cable was a first!

A thoroughly enjoyable morning's work on what was a fantastic clear blue sky autumn day. Many thanks to everyone who came along and also to Mandy for providing the spiced pumpkin biscuits. Thanks also to Matt for arranging (apart from the map!)

The next work morning is on Tuesday 27th October where we will be in Endcliffe Park working with the Parks team to create another wildflower bed along Rustlings Road. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

Matt's map! Apparently we were on SHE/468b