​Another week day volunteering opportunity this Tuesday 5th April 10am -3pm (or whenever suits!)
Note - This is in addition to this Sunday 3rd April when we will be in Cannon Hill North

I would normally volunteer with the Dorset Council Rights of Way team on a Tuesday, but this coming week they are not running a session, so we are taking the opportunity to have another go at clearing some of the Rhododendron that is adjacent to the heathland site. 
Volunteers from the RoW group and our own are equally welcome to come along!
Details as before for this Tuesday -
Although we have completed our main work on the heathland restoration site until the Autumn to avoid disturbance of ground nesting birds and reptiles etc, we have identified a task that will support it.
We will be cutting and stacking invasive Rhododendron in the pine plantation surrounding the heathland to stop it spreading onto the site. This will involve cutting it and stacking it neatly where it is. By not dragging it around we will minimise the risk of impacting nesting birds (Rhododendron does not have the three-way forks in their branch structure that can support a nest). We will not be having a bonfire until the Autumn to avoid the risk of wild fire and disturbance to the wild life.
Hot and cold drinks, biscuits, gloves and tools supplied as always. Bring some lunch if you are staying long enough.
For those that have been to the heathland restoration sessions, we are virtually in the same place.
The work site is just 10 minutes walk (some say longer 🙂 from the nearest parking off Uddens Drive (North of the A31)
If you stick to the main vehicle track through Uddens plantation, you can't miss us, but I will put up some arrows. Work site - SU 05587 01601 W3W /// fear.marked.width
Parking - SU 04997 01187 W3W /// older.tributes.foot
​(Or a little further up Uddens Drive, where parking is available on both sides of the road. Please don't block the gates).
All welcome (under 16s to be accompanied).
If you have not been before (or recently), we will need your name and contact number and also an emergency contact name and number.
Dress for the weather and ground conditions which may be a little wet.
Ideally let me know if you are planning to come along, but it's not essential if you fancy it at the last minute.
More maps

Kind regards,
Andy 🦎
07984 843192
​[email protected]

Dear Friends,
Well this month didn't quite go as planned with regards to the Tuesday sessions (we did manage two which were really worthwhile) and unfortunately that will also be the case for this coming Tuesday as alas I am still testing positive for the "plague"!
We WILL be back out this coming Sunday, the 3rd April from 09:00 - 15:00 and I am delighted to say we will be back in Cannon Hill North for the first time in way too long....
We will set up at the burial mound view point where we will be reinstalling the display board.
There are lots of little tasks that can be done, some of which are local to base, while others involve a bit of a walk (for instance painting benches).

It would also be great for a bird box survey to be completed.   A visual one from a non disturbing distance to check they are still there and even better, if they are being used. Hopefully the map will be enough detail to find us, but please ask if you are unsure.  We will pop an arrow up where the 2 routes meet so you know you are heading the right way.

All tools and gloves supplied (or bring your own gloves if you prefer). Hot and cold drinks and biscuits also provided.  Please bring a packed lunch if staying all day as with the end of the bonfire season there will be no sausages of jacket potatoes.

Any under 16s, please bring an adult (we can keep them supplied with tea and biscuits...or they can join in 🙂).  If you are doing your DoE volunteering scheme, this counts towards it and we can fill in the relevant assessment paperwork for you.
Anyone who has not already done so will also need to provide their contact details and those of an emergency contact. 

As always, come along when you are able for as long as wish (occasionally we finish earlier than listed).
Knowing rough numbers in advance is useful, so if possible reply to his email or drop me a message.

Next month we will be in Cannon Hill South on Sunday 15th May where hopefully we will be able to top up and extend the scalping on the muddy patch of the bridleway, as well as bench maintenance and bird box survey etc.
June, July and August traditionally see us pulling the invasive Himalayan balsam along Uddens Water.  Dates to follow.

Hope to see you there,
Andy 🦎
07984 843192
[email protected]

Apologies - Cancelled due to illness

This is our second and probably final go (for the time being) at clearing some of the Rhododendron that is adjacent to the heathland site. 
Next Tuesday 29th March there will be a volunteer task day in Cannon Hill North based at the viewpoint burial mound.
Details as before for this Tuesday -
Although we have completed our main work on the heathland restoration site until the Autumn to avoid disturbance of ground nesting birds and reptiles etc, we have identified a task that will support it.
We will be cutting and stacking invasive Rhododendron in the pine plantation surrounding the heathland to stop it spreading onto the site. This will involve cutting it and stacking it neatly where it is. By not dragging it around we will minimise the risk of impacting nesting birds (Rhododendron does not have the three-way forks in their branch structure that can support a nest). We will not be having a bonfire until the Autumn to avoid the risk of wild fire and disturbance to the wild life.

Hot and cold drinks, biscuits, gloves and tools supplied as always.
For those that have been to the heathland restoration sessions, we are virtually in the same place.
The work site is just 10 minutes walk (some say longer 🙂 from the nearest parking off Uddens Drive (North of the A31)
If you stick to the main vehicle track through Uddens plantation, you can't miss us, but I will put up some arrows. Work site - SU 05587 01601 W3W /// fear.marked.width
Parking - SU 04997 01187 W3W /// older.tributes.foot
​(Or a little further up Uddens Drive, where parking is available on both sides of the road. Please don't block the gates).
All welcome (under 16s to be accompanied).
If you have not been before (or recently), we will need your name and a contact number and also an emergency contact name and number.
Dress for the weather and ground conditions which may be a little wet.
Ideally let me know if you are planning to come along, but it's not essential if you fancy it at the last minute.
More details and maps -http://www.cannonhillfriends.org.uk/heathland.html

Kind regards,
Andy 🦎
07984 843192
​[email protected]