Not the biggest turnout we have ever had for a work party but nevertheless we managed to get some useful jobs done. A stack of tree guards were removed from trees that were robust enough to manage without or trees that were needing to be rid of guards that were hosting ant hills or fungi. It was encouraging to see sweet chestnut and hazel trees growing well in the coppicing area of Malster’s and the hedge that was planted by the school is thickening up and creating a good boundary. The natural regeneration of trees like oak and hornbeam is filling up spaces and even becoming congested in places. The colours of field maple, dog wood, guelder rose and oak are glorious at the moment, it’s a colourful place!
We moved the meeting time into the afternoon to avoid the worst of the rain and we kept fairly dry but the three ponds were brimming. So it was particularly special when Judy found a great crested newt hiding in the grass.
Since the first interpretation board was designed, we have acquired three new pieces of land, Malster’s Little Field, The Copse and Vicarage Grove. So the map needed redrawing and we needed a name to cover the whole area, Grove Woods. We celebrated the new interpretation board with rock cakes and mulled wine and wondered what the next Blyth Woods celebration would be about.
There is still another hedge and some more trees to tend so look out for another work party date. Marie Rolfe
Blyth Woods 