It is incredible how the world has changed since our volunteer task day a couple of weeks ago....
Click here to see the pictures of the progress made on a slightly soggy, but very productive and fun day.

As per government guidance we have obviously cancelled our April volunteer work party and most likely will do the same with May.
We will be led by government advice and remain in line with Forestry England's volunteers.

Whilst we are still able to get out and about, please stay responsible while using the woodlands and respect everyone's space.

Stay safe!

This Sunday 8th  will be the final  session until October on our Heathland Project in Uddens Plantation.

We will be in the same location, continuing the amazing work on Site B.  For those not wanting to venture into the more challenging terrain, there will be plenty of dragging and prepping for the fire.

As usual we will be onsite from 9am until 2.30pm, so come along for as long or little as you wish.

For those around at lunch time, we will be cooking something....yet to be decided on the bonfire.... could be jackets, sausages or ......who knows!
Hot & cold drinks and biscuits available throughout....... Maybe even home baked goodies.....
Gloves, tools and training etc provided.
All details and location (including maps) are on our website -
http://www.cannonhillfriends.org.uk/heathland.html

It is always handy to have a rough idea of numbers, so let us know if you are able.

Don't forget......... If you are not up to physical exertions, but you want to stop by for a cuppa and a chat by the fire, you are most welcome.

This task benefits from numbers, so why not bring some family or friends along with you :-)

Look forward to seeing you,
Andy🦎

Awesome day on the heathland project today!  Read about it here

****POSTPONED until 23rd FEB ****This Sunday 9th February will be the fifth month of our Heathland Project in Uddens Plantation.

We will be in the same location, continuing the amazing work on Site B that we started last month.  For those not wanting to venture into the more challenging terrain, there will be plenty of dragging and prepping for the fire.

As usual we will be onsite from 9am until 2.30pm, so come along for as long or little as you wish.

For those around at lunch time, we will have our now legendary bonfire baked potatoes, served with beans and cheese.
Hot & cold drinks and biscuits available throughout....... Maybe even home baked goodies.....
Gloves, tools and training etc provided.
All details and location (including maps) are on our website -
http://www.cannonhillfriends.org.uk/heathland.html

It is always handy to have a rough idea of numbers, so let us know if you are able.

Don't forget......... If you are not up to physical exertions, but you want to stop by for a cuppa and a chat by the fire, you are most welcome.

This task benefits from numbers, so why not bring some family or friends along with you :-)

Look forward to seeing you,
Andy🦎

Wishing you a very Happy New Year, it is time to burn off those mince pies! We will be continuing our heathland restoration project this Sunday 12th January.
We will be in the same location as before Christmas, but will most likely make a start on Site B as it is close to the existing fire site (unless we have some enthusiastic "draggers" attend).

As usual we will be onsite from 9am until 2.30pm, so come along for as long or little as you wish.

For those around at lunch time, we will have our now legendary bonfire baked potatoes, served with beans and cheese (I will remember it this time!).
Hot & cold drinks and biscuits available throughout.
Gloves, tools and training etc provided.
All details and location (including maps) are here

It is always handy to have a rough idea of numbers, so let us know if you are able.
We have said it before, but it is worth repeating, if you are not up to physical exertions, but you want to stop by for a cuppa and a chat by the fire, you are most welcome.

This task benefits from numbers, so why not bring some family or friends along with you :-)

Look forward to seeing you,
Andy🦎

​PS I forgot to add our photos from last month, you can see them here.

Future dates for your diaries with planned tasks -

Sunday 9th February   - Uddens Plantation - Continuing Heathland project
Sunday 8th March - Uddens Plantation - Continuing Heathland project
Sunday 5th April - task TBC
Sunday 3rd May - task TBC
Sunday 14th June - Uddens plantation - Himalayan Balsam pulling along Uddens Water
Sunday 12th July - Uddens plantation - Himalayan Balsam pulling along Uddens Water
Sunday 9th August - Uddens plantation - Himalayan Balsam pulling along Uddens Water
Sunday 6th September
Sunday 4th October - 
Sunday 1st November - 
Sunday 29th November - 
Sunday 10th January 2021 - 

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.
​ 
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