Volunteering

The Big Help Out – Introduction to HBUF

By

On Monday the 8th May we’ll be taking part in the Big Help Out, King Charles’ initiative to encourage more people to volunteer in their local communities.

The session will start with a tour of the site, to learn a little about our history and the type of tasks our volunteers get to take part in throughout the year. From planting to trees and taking care of the inhabitants to driving the tractor.

That will be followed by a chance to get hands-on, building some ‘dead hedging’ to protect some of the local wildlife, and improving the habitat for some of our smaller residents.

It’s a great opportunity to get involved if you haven’t been out with us before, or to reconnect if you haven’t visited for a while.

You can register on the Big Help Our web site, or by RSVP’ing below.  

The session will be from 1pm-4pm. We’ll meet in our usual spot, by the container in the picnic field. Check out our map if you haven’t visited before.

Meeting Point

The Big Help Out – Introduction to HBUF Read More »

Volunteer Day – April

By

Our regular session to look after the forest.

We meet at the top of the picnic field at 10am before heading out to tackle whatever needs to be done each month.

Join us when you can, for as long as you like.

This month we’ll be pruning some of the trees in the orchard and picnic field, and planting some seeds around our newly planted trees next to the wildflower meadow

Volunteer Day – April Read More »

Volunteer Day – April

By

Our regular session to look after the forest.

We meet at the top of the picnic field at 10am before heading out to tackle whatever needs to be done each month.

Join us when you can, for as long as you like.

This month we’ll be pruning some of the trees in the orchard and picnic field, and planting some seeds around our newly planted trees next to the wildflower meadow

Volunteer Day – April Read More »

Our Volunteer Day in February has moved!

Events, Volunteer Days / By

Our monthly session to look after the forest, originally scheduled for the 18th, has had to be postponed by a week, and will now be taking place on the 25th February from 1pm to 4pm. Feel free to join us when you can, for as long as you like.

We will be cutting back a section of the blackberry bushes that dominate the Ballman field. It will be the start of a four-year cycle, tackling one section of the arear each year to vary the habitat and introduce new life to the area.

It will also reveal the trees that were originally planted in the area, giving us the change to see them in all their glory and showing off some of the different species that have been planted.

Gloves are a must and thick trousers recommended to keep thorns at bay. Sturdy secateurs or loppers would be handy, though we do have some you can use if you don’t have your own.

We’ll meet at the top of the picnic field to kit up before heading out. If you plan to join us later then you’ll find us next to the Celtic Tree Circle.

Our Volunteer Day in February has moved! Read More »

Dead Hedge 2.0

Posts, Volunteer Days / By

For the first volunteer day of 2023 we revisited the dead-hedge that we put in to protect some of our wildlife and gave it a bit of an upgrade.

Sadly, the original had suffered from being battered by stray footballs from the pitch next to it, and from unwanted human attention.

The new one, we hope, is a bit sturdier. Aside from the heavier posts and beams that are part of it we’ve also planted some willow cuttings taken from one of our trees. The hope is that these will take root and become a living part of the hedge that we can train to provide an even sturdier natural barrier. Not exactly a Whomping Willow but enough to fend off poor shots on goal!

Left-hand end
Middle, complete with door for wildlife
Dead Hedge Photo
Right-hand end

We can’t help with football skills, but hopefully the new fence will withstand the off-target balls.

The day before we set out we heard that a tree that had fallen and blocked the path that leads into the woods from the Cricklade field. Andy was very happy to get the chance to try out his new electric chainsaw. We also took out the top trunk of the big fallen willow across the brook, which had started to rot and might have posed a safety hazard if it came down while anyone was playing on it.

Dead Hedge 2.0 Read More »

Volunteer Day – January

By

Our monthly session to look after the forest.

The main task this week will be rebuilding the dead-hedging that protects the wildlife near the football pitch. Hedge v2.0 will be a sturdier affair to withstand stray balls and the attentions of both human and other wildlife.

Meeting at the container in the picnic field as usual to grab some gear before heading over.

Join us when you can, for as long as you like. If you’re arriving a bit later you’ll find us over near the football pitch/car park.

It’s jolly wet so boots essential, gloves advisable to protect delicate hands like mine.

Volunteer Day – January Read More »

Volunteer Day – January

By

Our monthly session to look after the forest.

The main task this week will be rebuilding the dead-hedging that protects the wildlife near the football pitch. Hedge v2.0 will be a sturdier affair to withstand stray balls and the attentions of both human and other wildlife.

Meeting at the container in the picnic field as usual to grab some gear before heading over.

Join us when you can, for as long as you like. If you’re arriving a bit later you’ll find us over near the football pitch/car park.

It’s jolly wet so boots essential, gloves advisable to protect delicate hands like mine.

Volunteer Day – January Read More »

Volunteer Day – February

By

Our monthly session to look after the forest. Originally scheduled for the 18th.

Note: This month it’s a Saturday afternoon session. Join us when you can, for as long as you like.

We’ll be looking to improve the biodiversity of the site by taming some of the blackberry bushes that dominate the Ballman field to the east of the site. A study recommended that we cut them back in sections, doing a quarter each year, to vary the habitat and introduce new life to the area. It’ll also reveal the trees that were originally planted in the area, so we can see them in all their glory.

Gloves are a must and thick trousers recommended to keep thorns at bay. Sturdy secateurs or loppers would be handy, though we do have some you can use if you don’t have your own.

We’ll meet at the top of the picnic field to kit up before heading out. If you plan to join us later then you’ll find us next to the Celtic Tree Circle.

Volunteer Day – February Read More »

Scroll to Top