Nice article in the East Dorset News about our perch bench project.
Unfortunately they are a little ahead of us with regards to the children's online game and map. It will come, but we need to finish installing the benches first.
​Watch this space!

​For the forth year, we are completing our annual Himalayan Balsam pull along Uddens Water.
 
This Sunday 26th June we are meeting on Uddens Drive, North of the A31.
First entrance on the right from the A31. 
I will be at the barrier at 9am and can give anyone a lift to the work area from there.
Anyone arriving after then will need to park in the entrance and walk I'm afraid, or park at the Police station end and walk up until you meet us which maybe makes more sense.  (We are flexible about when people start and finish, so later arrivals are fine).  The latest I hope to be out is 2pm.
We will be working along Uddens Water starting in the vicinity of the footbridge where the Castleman Trailway crosses near Bedborough Farm.  We will then follow the river until we reach the Police Station.
 
It is mainly working on the bank or main track, although there are areas where it has spread into the trees the other side of the track which can be boggy.  Sensible footwear and long trousers are recommended. 
The task involves pulling the stems by hand, so the very shallow roots come up with it and piling it to rot down.
All you need are a  pair of gloves which we can supply. 
 
Our work parties are open to all, so friends and family are most welcome (Children must be supervised).  Tea, Coffee, Squash and biscuits supplied.
On Map - Red Dot is Meeting/Parking and Blue dotted line is work area

Part of our woodland is a PREFERRED  site for the building of Household Recycling Centre, Household & Commercial Waste Processing Site, Incinerator with 40m chimney and depot for Refuse Trucks.

The Cannon Hill South site, known locally as Uddens Woodland could be completely lost if it was chosen site all of the above options.

The triangle of land South of the A31 and just up from the Old Thatch Pub is currently crossed by the Castleman Trailway and is a very popular area for dog walkers, workers from the nearby industrial estates taking breaks, cyclists, children playing and those with an interest in wildlife.

The site is an important heathland mitigation site i.e.  It is better for people, horses & dogs to use the less easily damaged Cannon Hill & Uddens Woodlands than what is left of the fragile Dorset Lowland Heath.

We NEED YOUR HELP to fight this - Please check out the page on our website, then have your say on the consultation.  ​http://www.cannonhillfriends.org.uk/waste-plant.html
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The triangle marked - Land SW of Blunts Farm is Cannon Hill South (Uddens Woodland) and has been quietly added to the consultation.