Hi All,
Firstly, thank you to everyone that came along on Wednesday last week, we were delighted to also be joined by so many of the Moors Valley volunteers. A huge amount of balsam was pulled, the second year we have tackled that area and certainly worthwhile as it is upstream from our site causing the seed to spread easily.

Tomorrow (Saturday 1st) 9am-1pm we will be spending the morning in Uddens Plantation pulling Himalayan Balsam along Uddens Water.
The closest parking is at the Ferndown Forest Golf Club, Forest Links Rd, Ferndown BH22 9PH (also the closest toilets at the Forest Inn pub there which we can highly recommend for food and drink). 
From there walk in to Uddens Plantation following the Castleman trailway along Uddens Water until you reach the vehicle bridge (not quite a far as last couple of times when we have been up by the solar farm).  
Our vehicle will be parked here (a small blue car instead of the usual Land rover).
We will aim to leave a radio with the sign in sheet at the vehicle, so you can call us if you can't see us when you arrive.
We will be working further up the track in the woods to the right.
We will not have our trailer, but will have hot and cold drinks, biscuits and gloves.

If you want more detail on locations etc please let me know.

The ground conditions are fairly dry currently, but uneven and we highly recommend long trousers and  long sleeves.  There is the potential for ticks and certainly nettles and brambles.
We should be working in the woodland, so should be shady.

This month we will be concentrating on pulling the Balsam and knocking back the Bracken where it is threatening sensitive areas.

Future weekend volunteering dates -
Timing is usually 09:00-14:30 ish, but it is likely that during the Summer we will pack up earlier)
As always people are welcome to come and go at times that suit.

Sun 16th July
Sat 29th July
Sun 20th August
Sat 16th September
Sun 1st October
Sat 21st October
Sun 5th November
Sat 18th November
Sun 3rd December
Sat 16th December

Kind Regards,
Andy
07984 843192

Hi All,

Before I get on to this Wednesday, I have finally set some weekend dates for the rest of the year (see the end of this email). 
They are subject to change and we are alternating between Saturdays and Sundays.
We are very much hoping that this Wednesday will lead to regular week day sessions.
This will depend on having the volunteers and someone happy to run them.  

This Wednesday (21st June) 10am-2pm we will be spending the morning in Uddens Plantation pulling Himalayan Balsam along Uddens Water.
The closest parking is at the Ferndown Forest Golf Club, Forest Links Rd, Ferndown BH22 9PH (also the closest toilets at the Forest Inn pub there which we can highly recommend for food and drink). 
From there walk in to Uddens Plantation following the Castleman trailway along Uddens Water until you reach the footbridge by the solar farm. Our vehicle will be parked here.
We will not have our trailer, but will have hot and cold drinks, biscuits and gloves.

If you want more detail on locations etc please let me know.

The ground conditions are fairly dry currently, but uneven and we highly recommend long trousers and ideally long sleeves.  There is the potential for ticks and certainly nettles and brambles.
There are shady areas to work although the first planned site could be a bit sunny.


Future weekend volunteering dates -
Timing is usually 09:00-14:30 ish, but it is likely that during the Summer we will pack up earlier)
As always people are welcome to come and go at times that suit.
Sat 1st July
Sun 16th July
Sat 29th July
Sun 20th August
Sat 16th September
Sun 1st October
Sat 21st October
Sun 5th November
Sat 18th November
Sun 3rd December
Sat 16th December

Kind Regards,
Andy

Dear Friends,

We have two dates for you this month!
This Saturday 10th June and Wednesday 21st June when we hope to be joined by the Moors Valley Volunteers.

Our usual work for the Summer focusses on pulling invasive Himalayan Balsam along Uddens Water where in the past it has got to the point that it has outcompeted the native flora and leaving the banks bare earth when it dies off in the Winter.
The great news is that with the focus over the years, we are making progress and although it is still present it is harder to find!
That said we have found it has spread into the woodland, so we will need to go in search of that.

Ground conditions are fairly uneven and may be muddy in the wet woodland (even after this dry spell), so please wear suitable footwear.
I would definitely advise long trousers as there is a risk of ticks and guaranteed nettles & brambles etc.
We will mostly be working in the shade of the trees, although may be in the sun in places.
Gloves, tools, hot and cold drinks, biscuits all supplied as usual, but feel free to bring something for lunch if staying all day.

We will be on site from 9am until 2.30pm at the latest, but as always, come and go as it suits.
If you have not been before, please let me have a contact number for yourself and an emergency contact name and number, either by replying to this email or on the day.

Under 16's are welcome if accompanied and let us know if you are working on your DofE as this can count towards it!
 
I will confirm nearer the date where to meet on the 21st, as it will in part depend what we find and how we get on this Saturday.

 Location details for Saturday below, but please shout if you need any other information.
Call me if you can't find us on the day.
NOTE - The map and details below are from last year and also have the location for the Heathland site where we were bashing bracken.  We will be doing that soon, but probably not Saturday.
We will be working in the vicinity of the single orange dot with the two orange lines...
Hope that makes sense!
Best parking is the Ferndown Forest Golf Club.

Andy 🦎
07984 843192

Key for map below -

Blue Circles - PARKING
Either on Uddens Drive just North of the A31
W3W ///newsreel.crop.zealous 
or Ferndown Forest golf club
W3W ///tricky.cheer.year
Black dots - ROUTE TO SITES FROM UDDENS DRIVE
From the Ferndown end follow the trailway along Uddens Water.
Orange Dots / lines - WORK SITES
Site 1 Heathland project
///magpie.something.scorched
Site 2 Woodland and river bank along Uddens Water
///elite.hazelnuts.regal