Volunteering

Volunteer Day – February

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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.

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It’s time to mow the meadow

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Each year we give the wildflower a bit of a trim. This keeps the grass in check and helps the wild flowers to thrive.

The grass has been cut. Now we need to rake up and remove up the cuttings and put them to good use elsewhere. This year we’ll be using them to mulch the new trees in our Miyawaki Forest and Celtic Circle.

It’s a lot of work, but it’s good fun. Our volunteers are a fabulous group of people.

We’ll be working in the wildflower meadow from 10am until about 12. All ages welcome (there’s a job for everyone).

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The Great Balsam Bash – Part 1

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Our monthly gathering for volunteers who want to help us maintain HBUF.

Given the high temperatures expected we’ve moved the start time a bit earlier to avoid the worst of it. Sue & Andy will be there for 9am.

If you want to still come along at 10 then that’s fine, there will still be plenty of balsam to get rid of! We’ll keep going while people are happy to do so, with a cut-off at 12.

Last year we cleared the Himalayan Balsam along the section of the Hreod Burna that runs through HBUF. It’s an invasive species that has taken up space usually occupied by native plants.

The work we did last year has made a big difference… there’s a lot less this year but we still have work to do!

This year we are teaming up with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to make sure it is removed along the entire length of the Burna.

This is the first of two sessions to clear the Balsam from our section of the Burna.

We’ll meet at the container at the top of the picnic field at 9am. We’ll be working west from the Cricklade Road end if you arrive later, just follow the stream 🙂

Wellies recommended, waders a distinct advantage! 

The Great Balsam Bash – Part 1 Read More »

The Great Balsam Bash – Part 1

By

Our monthly gathering for volunteers who want to help us maintain HBUF.

Given the high temperatures expected we’ve moved the start time a bit earlier to avoid the worst of it. Sue & Andy will be there for 9am.

If you want to still come along at 10 then that’s fine, there will still be plenty of balsam to get rid of! We’ll keep going while people are happy to do so, with a cut-off at 12.

Last year we cleared the Himalayan Balsam along the section of the Hreod Burna that runs through HBUF. It’s an invasive species that has taken up space usually occupied by native plants.

The work we did last year has made a big difference… there’s a lot less this year but we still have work to do!

This year we are teaming up with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to make sure it is removed along the entire length of the Burna.

This is the first of two sessions to clear the Balsam from our section of the Burna.

We’ll meet at the container at the top of the picnic field at 9am. We’ll be working west from the Cricklade Road end if you arrive later, just follow the stream 🙂

Wellies recommended, waders a distinct advantage! 

The Great Balsam Bash – Part 1 Read More »

Clearing Himalayan Balsam

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Two dates in July to help rid the Hreod Burna of this invasive species… see below or in our events section for more details.

Last year we did some clearance work along the section of the Hreod Burna that runs through HBUF to remove the Himalayan Balsam. It’s an invasive species that has taken up space usually occupied by native plants along the bank of the burna.

The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust undertook similar clearance work along other parts of the brook.

Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches, especially close to towns. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream.

Volunteers working with the Trust have recently started to survey Himalayan Balsam along the length of the Hreod Burna Corridor and have confirmed that the work they undertook last year has resulted in a reduction in Balsam. We’ve been out to some of the areas we cleared last year and there is a lot less now than there was back then.

Their survey also indicates that it may be possible to really make a difference along the corridor, and they are hoping to join forces to make sure it is removed along the entire length of the Burna.

HBUF will be organising two sessions where we hope to be joined by other volunteers working with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust to clear the Balsam from our section of the Burna.

Our events section has details of sessions on Sunday 17th July and Saturday 30th July. If you prefer you can checkout our Facebook page where we’ll also publish details of both events.

To be kept up to date on upcoming events and other news, why not subscribe to our mailing list?

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Volunteer Day – June

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Our monthly gathering for volunteers who want to help us maintain HBUF.

This month we’ll be giving the place a bit of a trim. Left to their own devices, the brambles and nettles would take over. As much as we love them, we do need to keep the paths and fields open to the good folk of Swindon!

We’ll meet at the container at the top of the picnic field at 10am.

They don’t always go quietly, so dress appropriately to avoid getting too many stings and scratches!

Volunteer Day – June Read More »

Volunteer Day – June

By

Our monthly gathering for volunteers who want to help us maintain HBUF.

This month we’ll be giving the place a bit of a trim. Left to their own devices, the brambles and nettles would take over. As much as we love them, we do need to keep the paths and fields open to the good folk of Swindon!

We’ll meet at the container at the top of the picnic field at 10am.

They don’t always go quietly, so dress appropriately to avoid getting too many stings and scratches!

Volunteer Day – June Read More »

Meet our volunteers – Gaby & Juanjo

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Gaby and Juanjo have been regulars at our volunteer sessions since 2020. They have tried their hands at most of the things we get up to, from coppicing to tree planting.

Photo of Juanjo and Gaby planting a tree in the Miyawaki mini-forest. The sapling sits in its pot waiting for Juanjo to dig the hole, while Gaby supervises.
Juanjo & Gaby helping to plant the Miyawaki Forest in 2022

My husband and I walk daily in this lovely forest and are grateful to all volunteers who look after it. Today we spent a very pleasant afternoon with nature-loving people working together for present and future generations.

Planting a tree is one of the most rewarding things one can do. It is a thrilling experience placing the small tree carefully in its place whilst imagining what it will look like in the future when it reaches its full splendour. Today, we planted many trees and this feeling multiplied.

Gaby
Photo of Gaby, spade in hand, standing posing for the camera.
Gaby
Close-up photo of Juanjo putting the finishing touches to a newly planted tree, patting down the soil with his hand.
Juanjo

I walk in the Hreod Burna Urban Forest and The Venny every day, and I feel privileged to have such wonderful spaces so close to where I live.

Volunteering now and then to plant trees, coppicing or just picking litter up while I walk, is my way of giving a bit back for that privilege.

Juanjo

Juanjo has also used his camera skills to document some of our activities. If you’re part of our Facebook group, you might have seen his video fly-through of the Burna during a session spent battling the invading Himalayan Balsam or his montage of one of our coppicing sessions.

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Volunteer Stories: Chris & Lizzie

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Chris and Lizzie joined us to plant our Celtic tree circle in February. Like a lot of people, Chris had been planning to come along for a while, but things just seemed to always get in the way.

Chris is the one with the holly

Finally the stars aligned…

Lizzie and I came along despite the drizzly weather as we wanted to get some fresh air and do something good for wildlife in Swindon! We had a lovely time digging holes and planting trees with the very friendly group – we’re looking forward to going back to see how the trees we planted are getting on.

Chris

Lizzie got the oak (everyone wants to plant an oak tree!)

The pair say they’re looking forward to coming back again to help out. Not least because it’s a great way to spend a morning, even when the weather isn’t on your side!

If you don’t want to miss out on your chance to get involved, you can subscribe to our mailing list and we’ll let you know what we’re up to each month.

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April Powers

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Your superpower? Creating a wildlife oasis in the centre of Gorse Hill and Pinehurst for generations to enjoy.

We’ve got a lot to do again this month, with a wide range of jobs that we need your help with across the site. Please join us on our usual outing on the 3rd Sunday of every month between 10 and 12, next event on 25th of April.

Photo of purple and white fritillaries in the grass of the wildflower meadow
Fritillaries in the wildflower meadow

While you’re there, be sure to visit the wildflower meadow, where the fritillaries that we planted last year have started to come up!

As well as the familiar clearance and planting jobs that need doing we have unwanted visitors to evict! The Himalayan Balsam growing along the banks of the stream is an invasive species that’s crowding out native plants and has to go.

Checkout the event for more details of exactly what we’ll be up to and where to meet.

April Powers Read More »

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