THE FRIENDS’ SUMMER NEWS LETTER
Time is flying and we are currently experiencing a welcome few days of rain in the midst of the hottest recorded temperatures since the Great Heatwave of 1976. It has been worrying indeed to see the Forest so tinder dry and with daily news of other valued heaths and moorlands aflame, we would ask everyone to be especially vigilant if these conditions return, to help prevent a similar tragedy.

PERCH BENCH PROJECT
As reported in our last Newsletter, the completion of the Perch Bench project courtesy of Cllr George Russell’s community funding has allowed us to proceed with our launch of a fun competition to run throughout the summer months. We were fortunate to receive publicity via the Stour and Avon magazine who featured a photo of Cllr Russell and some local volunteers and hope that lots of you will have fun seeking out all 20 of the Perch Benches and identifying the wildlife pictures sited beneath them all by Andy and Scott. (We also took the opportunity to give the benches a spruce up for the summer).
At the end of the summer those who have submitted their findings via our website, will be collated and the names of those who completed all 20 (or nearest) will be put into a hat for deciding the overall winner who will then receive a £25 voucher of their choice.
Cllr Russell will shortly be standing down due to the re-organisation of the District Councils and we thank him most sincerely for all the support and encouragement he has given the Friends since its inception. We wish him well in his retirement.

PR LEAFLET
Our thanks to Lin who has designed a leaflet to promote the Friends, briefly outlining our aims and the benefits of the woodlands. Photo’s taken by Andy have been incorporated, along with a map of the area on the reverse. We hope to distribute them in local Tourist Information and Community sites when printing is completed and hope you will look out for them and help us spread the word to those who may not yet be aware.

PATHS
Much work has been done to the lower lying pathways and gateways which became waterlogged and we hope that when the rain finally does return, you will notice a marked improvement in all-weather access. Grateful thanks must go to Chris and his friends at Stone Zone in Ferndown for donating such a large quantity of scalpings to allow this work to be carried out.
See picture at the end of this newsletter to see the finished work.
 
HIMALAYAN BALSAM
Despite torrential rain on the day, there was a good turnout of stalwart volunteers who braved the difficult conditions to have yet another go at bringing the rampant Himalayan Balsam near the police station, under control. Their efforts over the past few seasons have made a noticeable difference to its invasion, with the pathways being almost free of its stranglehold and new and varied flora and fauna already beginning to flourish. We thank all of you who have made such a difference.
The photo at the top of the newsletter, taken on the 2nd (brighter) day of the balsam pulling features Kevin modeling our newly acquired waders to retrieve some of the more inaccessible weed.

AGM
June saw our annual AGM taking place in Stapehill Village Hall with a good turnout of Friends and other interested parties. In accordance with the requirements of our new Charitable Status, Janet ensured that all of the current Trustees were held to re selection and also gave the required opportunities for any new potential Trustees to volunteer.  Due to work commitments, Chris stood down as a Trustee but will retain his interest in supporting the Friends and will attend committee meetings as/when in the future. Janet thanked him for all his efforts throughout the entire history of our group.
You can read the minutes and accounts for 2017/18 here .
Andy gave an illustrated talk on the past year’s Work Parties which highlighted just how much has been achieved. He also outlined some future projects being considered by the Trustee’s which we will be delighted to achieve, with hopefully the usual invaluable support from you as volunteers.
As always he urged everyone to keep an eye on our website, notice boards or the ‘What’s On’ section of the local Stour and Avon magazine for details of our Work Parties. Everyone is welcome to come along and lend a hand, or just to have a cuppa and a chat.
 
AND FINALLY . . .
All in all, it has been a very satisfying and productive season despite the summer months being lower key with well-deserved holidays taking priority and we look forwards to seeing you all in the Autumn when it will hopefully be cooler.  The Autumn series of work parties kick off on Sunday 9th September.
 
Janet – Chair of Friends
Lin – Vice Chair/Secretary

JUST A QUICK REMINDER FOR TOMORROW 
Weather is not looking great for tomorrow (or is looking great, depending on your point of view), so we will play it by ear as to how long we stay out. 
Please bear that in mind if you are planning to come along later, we may have gone!
Feel free to give Andy a ring on 07984 843192 to check

Volunteer Conservation days Sunday 29th July and Friday 3rd August along Uddens Water in Uddens Plantation.
​ 
We will be meeting at the entrance by the Police Station, parking along the access road or I am sure they wouldn't mind us using the golf club car park.
The entrance is immediately on the left at the point where you would turn right to the Police station and straight on to the golf club.

We will be onsite from 9am until 2pm (may finish earlier if we have had enough!).
If you are arriving later and we are not working in the immediate vicinity, follow the river upstream until you reach us.

The task as previous years is pulling up Himalayan Balsam.  A simple action in itself, it can be a challenge due to ground conditions.
The ground can be very uneven and the balsam can be growing in with brambles and nettles.
Gloves are provided, but you would be advised to wear substantial footwear and full length trousers and long sleeve tops.

It is always a lottery to hit it at the right time.  Some has already flowered (not ideal as the seeds will have spread) and it is difficult to gauge how much there will be and in what area, but their will almost certainly be enough to keep us busy for both days depending on numbers.

No bonfire or sausages obviously so bring something with you if you need more than tea & biscuits to sustain you!   
Plenty of tea,coffee, squash & biscuits supplied.
For any youngsters coming to join in for their DofE etc, please bring an adult.  They are very welcome to join in or if they want to chat and drink coffee, that is absolutely fine too :-)

  See map below.  (Red dot parking/access. Yellow dots location of the balsam)  Can't find us on the day? Call 07984 843192  

Address for Sat Nav etc -  Forest Links Rd, Ferndown BH22 9PH

​Dear Friend,
We just wanted to send out a quick reminder about our AGM on Wednesday 19:30 at Stapehill Village Hall, 224 Wimborne Road West, BH21 2DY
Plenty of parking and tea, coffee & biscuits provided.
If you are available, you are very welcome to come along and hear about our achievements over the last year.
Even if you are not a member yet, you are very welcome to come along. We will have some membership form available. 
A one off donation of your choosing is all that is required. (No annual fees and no commitment to take part in work parties. Although it is great if you wish to).

As it is the first AGM since the creation of the new C.I.O charity, all trustees must stand down and be re-elected.
With the exception of Chris Gibb (who although standing down, very much wishes to stay involved in the group), all existing trustees are standing for re-election. 
There are no new candidates standing this year. 
N.B. We are very keen to welcome any willing volunteers onto the committee, where you can get involved without the additional responsibility of being a trustee. Let us know if you are interested and maybe come to a meeting or two to see what you think. We have no more than 1 meeting a month (usually the Monday evening following a work party). 
They are very relaxed!
Please see the personal statements of the trustee applicants below.


James Burbidge
I have farmed the land adjoining the woodland for over 50 years and my father before me. I have seen many changes since farming with heavy horses to the modern day.
My many years of rural experience and deep understanding of country life makes me passionate to protect the wildlife and fauna in the woodland.
I am a keen supporter of Uddens & Cannon Hill Friends and feel my rural experience will be of value to the committee.

Luanne Burbidge
I have lived at Stapehill Farm for all my married life. Throughout this time it has been a real pleasure to have ridden my horse and walked my dog in the Uddens & Cannon Hill unique woodlands.
I run the Barn Nursery School which has direct access through the farm into the woodlands. As part of their learning experience, the children are taken to the woods to learn about wildlife and enjoy the natural resources the woodland offers.
As I feel so passionate about protecting the Uddens and Cannon Hill woodlands, I feel I would be a most supportive member of the friends committee.

Nick Gumery
I feel that Uddens Woods is a vital part of our community that needs protecting.
This green space offers so much to us, whether we use it for keeping fit, cycling, jogging, walking the dog or just a break from the hecticness of modern life.
I want to ensure this area is still here for my children to enjoy and all future generations of Stapehill and surrounding area.

Andy Hartstone
I have been involved in the organisation since the start.
I organise the volunteer task days and look after the online presence for the group.
I believe it is important to protect the woodland for future generations and the best way to do so is by promoting balancing the needs of all users and of course the wildlife.

Janet Healy
Although I no longer reside at Stapehill, I did live there for 50 years and I do still visit the woodlands every other week or so. Over the decades I have seen the woodlands get more and more popular as so many new houses are built around it.
I believe passionately that people of all ages need open space, more than ever now as our country and county are getting so crowded. I would like the opportunity to carry on helping to create the woodland experience I used to take for granted.

Jeffery Maple
I have lived in the area since 2002. 
I have been treasurer of the Friends of Uddens since it was formed.
I have made various tables and benches for the woods and actively participate in many tasks and work parties and I am fully committed to making the woodland a great place for all to enjoy.

Scott Whibley
My past experiences with the Friends of Uddens & Cannon Hill Woodlands has been one that has spread over many years, being invited into the group by one of the founder members.
I have had much input into many of the work parties and have built in non work party time the groups trailer, which was tailor-made to house all the tooling and to enable the group to have better facilities.
I built all of the noticeboard structures and installed them (as part of a smaller group) at the five points around the woods.
Myself and my family update these on a regular basis.
I have made many of the bird boxes that are seen in the woods, with more to come this year.
I bring (along with my family) a positive, keen approach with a “hands on” and “can do” approach.

Lin White
My family have lived and farmed adjacent to the area for six generations. We have always nurtured and respected the ecology of the land and the life force it supports by farming without chemicals and allowing our livestock to live free from constraints in a natural environment wherever possible, which has always blurred the boundaries from the forestry to our land.
I am an original member of the Trustees and remain fully committed to continuing to support the Friends in their endeavours to maintain the forest for future generations to enjoy as unspoilt as it is today.​

We are back south of the A31 for our next volunteer conservation task day this Sunday (17th June).
We will be doing some maintenance on the paths, in the picnic glade and cleaning up the 4 picnic tables.
We can find tasks for all ages and abilities. (Children please bring an adult).
Drinks, biscuits, gloves and tools supplied.
To find us come up Uddens Drive from the Old Thatch pub . On reaching Cannon Hill Plantation, follow our signs to the glade.
We will be on-site from about 9am-2pm.
Come for as little or long as you wish.

Visit t the AGM page to learn more about our upcoming AGM.
We would love as many people as possible to come along.
See what we have been working on  and our plan for the future....  plus we have biscuits"

​ 
We will be meeting at the picnic area on the top track (that leads to the burial mound viewpoint).
This is the same location as last month.
We will see if we can make the picnic area less appealing for antisocial behaviour.
When we have completed there, we will move up to the main view point burial mound to cut back the vegetation on the mound and the bridleway running alongside the fields.
A sign will direct you if we have moved from the first location.
We will be onsite from 9am until 2pm (may finish earlier if the weather isn't great).

No bonfire or sausages I'm afraid, so bring something with you if you need more than tea & biscuits to sustain you!   
Plenty of tea and coffee supplied obviously.
For any youngsters coming to join in for their DofE etc, please bring an adult.  They are very welcome to join in or if they want to sit, chat and drink coffee, that is absolutely fine too :-)
I will try and get some signs up from Bridleways and Colehill entrances, so you know you are heading the right way.
Parking should not be difficult at any of the starred locations on the map.
Bridleways access is between 61-63 Bridleway BH21 2UP or Cannon Hill Road BH21 2LS
Map below will help hopefully.  Can't find us on the day? Call 07984 843192

Volunteer Conservation day this Sunday 8th April in Cannon Hill NORTH. 
​ Sorry for the late update, I have had a lot on recently.
We will be based at the picnic area on the top track (that leads to the burial mound viewpoint). We will be onsite from 9am until 2pm (may finish earlier if the weather isn't great).
We had hoped to start work on repairing the steps, but I don't think we will have the required timber in time, so it will mostly be tidying around the picnic area and cutting back vegetation around the burial mounds (after having a good check for nesting birds).
No bonfire or sausages I'm afraid, so bring something with you if you need more than tea & biscuits to sustain you!   
Plenty of tea and coffee supplied obviously.
For any youngsters coming to join in for their DofE etc, please bring an adult.  They are very welcome to join in or if they want to sit, chat and drink coffee, that is absolutely fine too :-)
I will try and get some signs up from Bridleways and Colehill entrances, so you now you are heading the right way.
Parking should not be difficult at any of the starred locations on the map.
Bridleways access is between 61-63 Bridleway BH21 2UP or Cannon Hill Road BH21 2LS
Map below and location pictures will help hopefully.  Can't find us on the day? Call 07984 843192

​Reminder that we will be at Cannon Hill South clearing and burning the Rhododendron piles again this Sunday 25th March 09:00-14:00 .
All the usual refreshments including Sausages at midday.
Let me know if you can make it.
All welcome, but as always children to be supervised please.

Definitely the last month on this task and site until the Autumn!
We will be in Cannon Hill North on Sunday 8th April doing something different!

Confirmed Future Volunteer Days (The next 2 are quite close together to work around Mother's day, Easter and other commitments).
Reminder - Children are very welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Sun 25th Mar 2018 - Cannon Hill South
Sun 8th Apr 2018 - Cannon Hill North
Sun 20th May 2018 - Cannon Hill North
Sun 17th June 2018 - Location TBC 
Sun 29th Jul 2018 - Uddens Plantation
*Fri 3rd Aug 2018 - Uddens Plantation
Sun 9th Sep 2018 - Location TBC 
Sun 7th Oct 2018 - Location TBC 
Sun 4th Nov 2018 - Location TBC 
Sun 2nd Dec 2018 - Location TBC
​
* Note - We need to invest some more days into battling the Himalayan Balsam in the summer, so I am proposing at least one week day session in August. (Possibly 1 or 2 others too in July / August if there is enough interest).