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Recent
work sessions
We
have had very good attendance at weekend work sessions throughout the winter
and early spring, with attendance numbering between 15 and 20, and this has
enabled a lot of progress to be made. Perhaps the most obvious
development has been the extension of the dead hedge to the west, as far as
the recycling point opposite Woodbourne Avenue. It’s been encouraging
for people working on the extension to see how the live hedge planted a few
years ago by the first lengths of dead hedge is flourishing.
Planting
of wild daffodil bulbs was undertaken during part of two scheduled workdays.
The main plantings were in the north of Hollingbury Woods; a
supplementary planting, arranged at short notice when we were offered a
further supply at a clearance price, was made in Burstead Woods, the first
time they have benefited from such activity.
Litter
picking has been undertaken as part of the work in most months. We
feel that there is now hardly any legacy litter in the woods, i.e. litter
which had been around for years, and hope that regular picking from now on
will keep recently deposited rubbish to a minimum.
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Our
territory is extended
The
boundaries of FHBW woods have not, we think, ever been formally
defined. However, in practice we have taken the road to the Golf Clubhouse
as marking the northern limit of Hollingbury Woods, and we have not been
active beyond the east-west path at the northern end of Burstead
Woods. In both cases there is woodland to the north which forms
a natural extension of our traditional territory. We now have
authority to manage these two further areas, and look forward to developing
suitable plans for them.
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Children,
schools and the woods
The
group is interested in providing resources and lessons to schools in the
area so that local children can learn about the woods on their
doorstep. The woods are an important asset for the area and we are
keen to help teach future generations about the importance of woodlands –
not just as a place for recreation but also for wildlife. Brenda (FHBW
member and parent) is working with our ranger Dominic to produce some
classroom sessions for infant and junior school children. They are also
going to develop some fun activities for children when classes visit the
woods. We are preparing a policy document covering this whole
area.
This
is an exciting new area of activity for the group and we are keen to make
use of the skills or time of any members who are interested in such
work. If you have, or would like to develop, experience in this area,
please do contact us. Tel 01273 553044 or email pollack.brenda@yahoo.co.uk
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Cub
Scouts plant hazel in Hollingbury Woods
During
the February half term holiday, 15 Cubs from the 6th Brighton Scout group
joined us to plant 25 hazel trees in the New Glade, the first step in the
creation of an intended area of coppice woodland. The Cubs, who are
working towards obtaining their Global Conservation badge, eagerly gathered
round our new Ranger, Dominic, who gave a demonstration on how to plant the
trees and explained how the coppice would benefit wildlife. The Cubs, with
very little help from the adults in attendance, completed the task in
record time and after taking a well-earned break for refreshments
enthusiastically set about collecting litter.
Everyone
enjoyed the day and many of the Cubs expressed an interest in returning to
see how ‘their’ trees fare. This was the first time we have carried
out such a joint venture and we hope to be able to offer further
opportunities for children to participate in future projects: the new
coppice will certainly be an invaluable resource both for wildlife and as
an educational tool.
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Children
policy
It
has been delightful in recent months to welcome more parents with children
to work sessions. This has required some rethinking of work
programmes, tool provision, and refreshments, and we may sometimes have
been a bit slow in making sure that younger helpers were properly and
adequately welcomed. However, we hope that by now we have adjusted as
necessary. Please let any committee member know if you have
suggestions which would further improve our workdays so far as children are
concerned.
Whatever
initiatives the committee takes with regard to children it has to remain
the responsibility of the accompanying parent or other adult to ensure that
children are safe at all times, in respect both of their own activities and
keeping a prudent distance from the activities of others. Looking
after their children may well limit the contribution of the parent to a
workday, but the committee cannot, and does not, accept responsibility for
the welfare of children during work sessions.
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