Read about the progress we have made on our Heathland restoration project click here for the report and pictures.

We are continuing our heathland restoration project this Sunday 3rd November
Click here for all the details.
It would be great to see you there.

We also have our provisional monthly conservation task dates for next year Click here

After a day at work, our construction team volunteers installed a superb green oak bench halfway along the old railway line section of the Castleman Trailway in Stapehill.

With funding gratefully sourced by Cllr George Russell (retired) and using local timber at a great price from Linwood Sawmill at Mannington the bench was constructed by Jeff, one of our volunteers.
Jeff also kindly donated some scalpings and was involved in the instalation.... In the rain!

The bench compliments the two existing benches in Cannon Hill and Uddens that we installed on behalf of the Great Heath Project along the route of the Castleman Trailway.

The tree lined half mile route along the old railway line is regularly used by those less able, due to the level surface and close proximity to civilisation.
There is now a sunny spot halfway along it to stop and rest a while.

Volunteer Conservation day  Sunday 8th September 9am-2.30pm working either side of the bridge over the A31.
We will base ourselves (and the trailer) on the north as there is more space.   Easy to access from either side of Uddens Drive.
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Gloves and tools provided are provided, 
Most of the tasks are along the paths, so not too challenging terrain, but please dress for brambles, gorse and the ever variable British weather.

Work to include cutting back vegetation along the paths, bench and way marker maintenance.
Possibly some path surface scraping for anyone feeling particularly energetic.

Plenty of tea,coffee, hot chocolate, squash & biscuits supplied.
No bonfire or sausages, so bring something with you if you need more than tea & biscuits to sustain you!  
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.  (Blue triangles - parking/access. Yellow star - base-trailer location. Red dots - main work areas)  Can't find us on the day? Call 07984 843192  

This is the the last of our summer works programme before we start the super exciting heathland restoration project next month in Uddens Plantation.
Future dates confirmed - Sundays 6th October, 3rd November, 1st December (All planned to be working on the above project).

It's always helpful to have a rough idea of numbers, so if you are coming along, please let us know if you can by  emailing, commenting on the Facebook post, commenting on the blog, dropping me a text or maybe sending a carrier pigeon :-)

Don't forget you are welcome to come along for as little or long as you like, starting at a time convenient to you.
- Andy

Welcome to our Summer Newsletter. Currently the sun is shining strongly and seems set to continue....Well it was at the time of writing. It is vital to be vigilant when out and about for signs of fire, or potential fire hazards. The passing months since our last Newsletter has continued to be busy and there follows some of the highlights which have been held alongside our regular works.

VOLUNTEERS
Work has continued throughout the year, with our wonderful volunteers maintaining enthusiasm by providing 630 voluntary hours which averages 16 people attending each session. This is well above other local voluntary group’s attendances. It is pleasing to have regular attendances by pupils doing their Duke of Edinburgh awards as well as local Scouts and Army Cadets. Some continue to attend even when their particular remit has been completed, thus hopefully helping to encourage the next generation to continue to be involved.

HIMALAYAN BALSAM
A variety of tasks including clearing overgrown brambles from pathways and of late, the ongoing dreaded clearance of the Himalayan Balsam have been undertaken. It is joyous to note the increasing eradication of its stranglehold on the banks of the stream and the rise of a variety of indigenous vegetation including Rosebay Willow Herb. 
Such is the success of the project, which has taken several years to achieve, we are now needing to deal with outbreaks in the deeper areas of the trees, which only adds to the difficulties of access. We recognise that total eradication will never be possible due to the presence of Balsam further upstream, from which seeds will always be washed into our area and hope that relevant land owners will start to take their own steps for dealing with this attractive thug. 

FORESTRY LIAISON 
Andy recently met up with Mike Abraham, Beat Forester & Shaka Nares, Beat Works Supervisor. They inspected the sites we had been working on in the last year (CHS & CHN) and are really happy with what we have achieved.  He reported that Mike is working on the Forestry 10-year Plan at the moment and is very keen to consult with us when he has a rough draft.  He would welcome any ideas we may have as to what we would like to see happen in the woods over the next ten years.
Also discussed:
• Understorey planting of the mature pines along the top ridge track with mixed broadleaf trees.
• Felling trees by the top burial mound to give a view out towards the Purbecks and installing a bench.
• Replacing the post and rail fence around the burial mound with a split chestnut one.
• In conjunction with and on the suggestion of Colin the FE Wildlife Ranger, creating some heathland habitat in Uddens Plantation.   This is an ideal volunteer task for the autumn and we will be undertaking commencement in our 6th October Work Party. We are very excited to be involved in such a major environmental project in keeping with the aims of the Friends.

BRIDLE WAY
The steep entrance at Bridle Way which is causing concerns to local residents has been discussed with Dorset Countryside Rights of Way team and we will continue to do so, but it is recognised that due to its location and geography it is likely will never be suitable for those less able. It is therefore recommended that they utilise the easily accessible pathway via Colehill.

PERCH BENCHES 
We have continued to site Perch Benches throughout the area which will provide respite along the way. Hopefully you have noticed the maintenance of the pine built benches in the Spring which will help their longevity, but oak replacements will ultimately replace them.
We have been advised that the pathway along the re-planted site where the oak and rowan are growing in the plastic tubes, we have been advised not to clear any of the birch etc that is growing up along it at this stage as it will crowd out the bramble a little and is doing no harm at the moment as they are thriving.

VANDALISM 
Although some vandalism and small fires have been noted within the woodland, it is thankfully on a small scale. The big increase in clearing cover, along with public usage of the area over the years, has ensured that potential vandals do not have the privacy which normally encourages such behaviour. The Beat Foresters will report the  use of motorbikes and antisocial behaviour earlier this summer to their Police contact who is part of the Urban Heaths Partnership. They advise the public to report every occurrence to the Police on 101 or online. 

CLLR GEORGE RUSSELL BENCH PROJECT 
Using timber from local sawmills (Thank you Linwood Sawmill at Mannington), installation of an oak bench along the disused railway site, with funds donated by Cllr George Russell, will shortly take place. As well as making the benches, Jeff is donating patio stone left from his home project which will form a suitable setting around the bench and help with winter drainage. A plaque honouring George’s input will be added and funds will also provide for an Interpretation Panel in situ close by near the old railway hut. George has now retired from his long held role representing our area and we wish him well for the future and thank him for his support of the Friends.

INFORMATION LEAFLETS 
Information Leaflets have now been photocopied free of charge (thank you Caroline) and distributed to local libraries. They are also available at The Old Thatch, and some have been posted door to door locally. Others are available for handing out at future Work Parties, the AGM and other sites as appropriate. Glossy printed leaflets will be considered when the mapping on the rear is officially updated in due course.

AGM
For the first time in our history, our AGM was held at High Mead Farm, Longham. We were pleased to see so many familiar faces attending. Janet and Andy outlined the achievements made by the Trustees and volunteers of the Friends, most of which have already featured in this Newsletter. As part of the conditions for being a Trustee, three members stood down and were unanimously re-elected unchallenged. They are: Andy Hartstone, Jimmy Burbidge and Lin White.

NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER
We are delighted to welcome Jean Loader to our committee. Jean has long been a very keen regular Volunteer at our Work Parties and has personally been responsible for pulling massive amounts of Himalayan Balsam on her daily walks. She has a wealth of knowledge for all aspects of flora and fauna within the area and will add much to our environmental remit. We very much look forwards to working more closely with Jean.

FUTURE PROJECTS
• Discussion with the Beat Forester regarding the mess and damage to pathways by a contractor during the major harvest of timber. Although very destructive at the time, it has been well restored prior to their departure. It is unfortunate that it is not economically viable for them to remove other than full loads of timber from site, which results in the various piles of cut timber. It has been decided to embrace these piles as potential for bee and insect habitation in support of Dorset Wildlife Trusts "Get Dorset Buzzing" campaign; holes have been drilled to help facilitate this. A future project will be to clear the shade producing growth developing in front of the bee wall in Cannon Hill North to allow full sun to continue to encourage their activities and welfare.

• We have been asked to assist with the Castleman Trailway ‘Way Marker Project’, whose Rangers have asked for help with the renewal of signage, way markers and posts.

Thank you all for your continued support of the Friends and we look forwards to seeing as many of you as possible at our future work parties.

Lin White
On behalf of the trustees

Volunteer Conservation days  Sunday 28th July and Wednesday 14th August along Uddens Water in Uddens Plantation.
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We will be meeting at the entrance by the Police Station, parking along the access road or I am sure they wouldn't mind 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. There is a definite risk of ticks.
This time of year, hats and sun cream are also a consideration.

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.
We also have a bench to relocate that I would like to get done towards the end of one of the days.

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

This Sunday 16th June we will be starting on our Himalayan Balsam pulling programme along Uddens Water.

Long trousers and substantial footwear essential as the balsam is now mostly in amongst other vegetation and there is a risk of ticks. The ground is mostly pretty uneven too and likely to be boggy in places.

It is quite early in the season, but it is there (see pics taken on Tuesday).

We will be starting near the footbridge near Bedborough Farm at 9am and working down towards the police station.

The starting location is a bit of a walk from either access, but particularly if you are unsure it is probably easier to to park on the access road to the golf course / police station and follow the river until you find us. Let me know if you need a lift or collecting from either entrance. Access point on Uddens Drive is marked with a red dot, the police station entrance isn't marked.

Unless I have a lot of people saying they are coming along, we won't bring the trailer, but we will have the usual hot/cold drinks, biscuits and gloves are provided.

If you can't make it, feel free to pull any balsam you see and leave it with the root out of the ground. Balsam pulls up easily. If it has hairs on the stalk and resists pulling out it is not balsam so leave it be :-)

Dear Friends,

You are invited to join us for our Annual General Meeting at 7pm on Wednesday 19th June
at High Mead Farm,  Ham Lane, Ferndown, Dorset.  BH22 9DP

There will be an illustrated presentation of our projects and some of the flora and fauna spotted in the woods.
The formalities are kept to a minimum, but it is an ideal opportunity to see what we have been up to over the last 12  months.

Although all the trustees had to stand for election last year as we upgraded the charity designation, we are obliged to have a third of the trustees stand for election each year.
Three existing trustees will be standing down, but will all be standing again for election.
They are Jim Burbidge, Andy Hartstone and Lin White.  See their statements here, where you can also see the agenda.

That doesn't mean there are not places for anyone else.....   We would really love to have a couple of new faces on the team.   If you are interested in getting a little more involved in the group, please get in touch.
Trustee meetings are currently only a couple of hours every other month.

Hope to see you there

Kind Regards,  The Trustees

Not a "signed up" Friend yet?  No matter you are still very welcome to come along.

Volunteer work party in Cannon Hill South this Thursday (I couldn't fit in any weekends that weren't a Bank Holiday this month).
We will be onsite from 9am - 2pm.

Lots of different tasks to really suit everyone.

1. Mark up the remaining Rhododendron patches on a site map.

2. Check the bird boxes (from a distance) and record the number of the ones in use. Unfortunately last year we did not get to check/clear them out so it would be good to know who is using them this year.

3. Sand / scrub the algae off two of the picnic benches.

4. Paint the other 2 two picnic benches and perch benches.

5. Continue scraping the paths....for those looking for something a little more physical.

6. Litter pick

7. General tidy of the picnic glade.... Create habitat piles?

8. Drill holes in stacked timber (left from forestry work as uneconomical to remove) to give bees a helping hand.

9. Spread the ash from the old fire sites. 

Obviously no fire, so no sausages, but plenty of drinks and biscuits.

Anyone that wants to just come and drink tea is also welcome.

NB. It is South of the A31, just up from the Old Thatch along Uddens Drive. 

— at Cannon Hill South known locally as Uddens Woodland.    - Andy

An early morning bike ride to survey the signage on the Castleman Trailway for our "patch".
The trailway runs from Ringwood to Upton House, but the part we are most interested in stretches from Ferndown Forest Golf Club / Police Station up to just before the Canford Bottom Roundabout.
We will be updating and maintaining the waymarkers along this section on behalf of the Dorset Countryside Ranger team.

Fascinating fact.... Of those 3 miles, only the final half mile that runs adjacent to Wimborne Road West actually follows the route of the old Castleman's Corkscrew railway (Southampton to Dorchester Railway 1847 to 1964 passengers/1974 freight).