Hi All,
We have a brand new area to work this month on the stunning White Sheet Hill SSSI.
We will be starting there this Sunday 15th February and continuing on Saturday 28th February.  Depending on bird nesting this year, we may even be able to get another session in on Sunday 15th March.
Our Wednesday 25th February team will be putting the finishing touches to the "Boggy Middle" site in Cannon Hill North where we have been working for the last few months (Ask if you need location details for the Wednesday).

The White Sheet site looks like it is going to be a great task.  We will be cutting the Pine and Birch regen from the dry heath.
This certainly seems the flattest and driest place we have worked in some time :-) !
We won't be having a bonfire this Sunday, but weather permitting we will on Saturday 28th (please take that into account for clothing....or avoid the sparks).  

If you want to be involved, drink tea and eat sausage sandwiches, then please come and join us!

We will be based on the main forest road (gravel track) that runs right through the middle of the site.
Follow the track through the gate near the entrance of the carpark and just keep going. Don't go through the barrier at the far end of the carpark, this will take you onto Holt Heath.
We will be here ///clicker.values.mills SU 05459 03310
The White Sheet Carpark is here ///persuade.mankind.unafraid SU 04821 03642     BH21 7DB
IMPORTANT  If driving, particularly in a low vehicle, please go dead slow and pick your route through the entrance to the carpark. The weather has not been kind to the surface and there are now some quite large potholes.

Carpark is light blue marker and work site is red marker-

​This is the gate and track you want to follow from the carpark -

​Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
WEEKEND TASKS - We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you please, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks / biscuits provided and sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  
Gloves, tools and training supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 
WEDNESDAY TASKS - As above, but please bring your own refreshments and start time is 9.30am.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Andy
07984 843192

FUTURE DATES - 

Wed 25/02/2026
Sat 28/02/2026
Sun 15/03/2026
Wed 25/03/2026
Sat 28/03/2026

Hi All,
We started this year with an incredible session on our current project, but there is plenty more for us to get stuck into for the remainder of this month before we move to White Sheet for a change of scenery and some equally important work in February.

These winter tasks really benefit from larger numbers of people, the more the merrier, so if you haven't been before, we would love you to join us!
We still have three great opportunities to get involved this month -
Sunday 18th, Wednesday 28th (apologies for previous typo) and Saturday 31st

We will be continuing the amazing work of November and December on our heathland restoration site in Cannon Hill North.

The task involves cutting invasive Pine, Birch and Rhododendron, then dragging it to the fire site.
Weather permitting we will be having a bonfire on the weekend task days (please take that into account for clothing....or avoid the sparks). With the rain forecast over the next few days, wellies may also be appropriate (although we can find some drier spots for those that prefer. 
The "Boggy Middle" is an area which should be managed as an open habitat and is a mix of dry heath, wet heath and mire.
A really superb area for bio-diversity and one that was nearly a contender for Peat Partnership funding (it didn't quite meet the criteria).
We are keen to get on top of the regenerating vegetation in this area, which could take us a few years while we also progress our other sites.

If you want to be involved, drink tea and eat sausage sandwiches, then please come and join us!

We will be based just off the main track below the mobile phone masts / just up from the sandy bee bank.

///unfair.slurs.suiting  SU 03791 01319



Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
WEEKEND TASKS - We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you please, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks / biscuits provided and sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 
WEDNESDAY TASKS - As above, but please bring your own refreshments and start time is 9.30am.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Andy
07984 843192

FUTURE DATES - 

Sun 15/02/2026
Wed 25/02/2026
Sat 28/02/2026
Sun 15/03/2026
Wed 25/03/2026
Sat 28/03/2026

What a lovely bright start to 2026, ideal for getting out and enjoy the woods.
We have four great opportunities to get involved this month -
Saturday 3rd, Sunday 18th, Wednesday 25th and Saturday 31st

We will be continuing the amazing work of November and December on our heathland restoration site in Cannon Hill North.

The task involves cutting invasive Pine, Birch and Rhododendron, then dragging it to the fire site.
Weather permitting we will be having a bonfire on the weekend task days (please take that into account for clothing....or avoid the sparks).
 
The "Boggy Middle" is an area which should be managed as an open habitat and is a mix of dry heath, wet heath and mire.
A really superb area for bio-diversity and one that was nearly a contender for Peat Partnership funding (it didn't quite meet the criteria).
We are keen to get on top of the regenerating vegetation in this area, which could take us a few years while we also progress our other sites.

If you want to be involved, drink tea and eat sausage sandwiches, then please come and join us!

We will be based just off the main track below the mobile phone masts / just up from the sandy bee bank.

///unfair.slurs.suiting  SU 03791 01319

Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
WEEKEND TASKS - We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you please, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks / biscuits provided and sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 
WEDNESDAY TASKS - As above, but please bring your own refreshments and start time is 9.30am.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Andy
07984 843192

FUTURE DATES - 

Sun 15/02/2026
Wed 25/02/2026
Sat 28/02/2026
Sun 15/03/2026
Wed 25/03/2026
Sat 28/03/2026

Saturday 6th, Wednesday 17th and Sunday 21st

Following November's three very successful sessions on our new restoration project site, we have decided to make that our main focus for this month too.
The task involves cutting invasive Pine, Birch and Rhododendron, then dragging it to the fire site.
Sunday 21st we will be having a bonfire (please take that into account for clothing....or avoid the sparks).
 
The "Boggy Middle" is an area which should be managed as an open habitat and is a mix of dry heath, wet heath and mire.
A really superb area for bio-diversity and one that was nearly a contender for Peat Partnership funding (it didn't quite meet the criteria).
We are keen to get on top of the regenerating vegetation in this area, which could take us a few years while we also progress our other sites.

If you want to be involved, drink tea and eat sausage sandwiches, then please come and join us!

We will be based just down the main track from the mobile phone masts / just up from the sandy bee bank.

///unfair.slurs.suiting  SU 03791 01319



Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
WEEKEND TASKS - We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you please, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks / biscuits provided and sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 
WEDNESDAY TASKS - As above, but please bring your own refreshments and start time is 9.30am.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.



FUTURE DATES - 

Sat 03/01/2026
Sun 18/01/2026
Wed 28/01/2026
Sat 31/01/2026
Sun 15/02/2026
Wed 25/02/2026
Sat 28/02/2026
Sun 15/03/2026
Wed 25/03/2026
Sat 28/03/2026

We will be carrying on where we left off last Saturday.
The site is actually one of the nicer ones to work on and move around (so far) as we are starting on a dry heath section.
Sunday we will be having a bonfire (please take that into account for clothing....or avoid the sparks).
The Wednesday team will be in the same location, without the bonfire, but preparing for the next one.
 
The "Boggy Middle" is another area which should be managed as an open habitat and is a mix of dry heath, wet heath and mire.
A really superb area for bio-diversity and one that was nearly a contender for Peat Partnership funding (it didn't quite meet the criteria).
We are keen to get on top of the regen in this area, which could take us a few years while we also progress our other sites.

If you want to be involved in the early stages of this project, cut some Pine and Birch, drink tea and eat sausage sandwiches, then please come and join us!

We will be based just down the main track from the mobile phone masts / just up from the sandy bee bank.

///unfair.slurs.suiting  SU 03791 01319



Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
WEEKEND TASKS - We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you please, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks / biscuits provided and sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 
WEDNESDAY TASKS - As above, but please bring your own refreshments and start time is 9.30am.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.



FUTURE DATES - 

Sat 06/12/2025
Wed 17/12/2025
Sun 21/12/2025
Sat 03/01/2026
Sun 18/01/2026
Wed 28/01/2026
Sat 31/01/2026
Sun 15/02/2026
Wed 25/02/2026
Sat 28/02/2026
Sun 15/03/2026
Wed 25/03/2026
Sat 28/03/2026

The "Boggy Middle" is another area which should be managed as an open habitat and is a mix of dry heath, wet heath and mire.
A really superb area for bio-diversity and one that was nearly a contender for Peat Partnership funding (it didn't quite meet the criteria).
We are keen to get on top of the regen in this area, which could take us a few years while we also progress our other sites.

No bonfire this time as we are tacking it from a new location and need to do some prep work first.

If you want to be involved in the early stages of this project, cut some Pine and Birch, drink tea and eat sausage sandwiches, then please come and join us!

We will be based just down the main track from the mobile phone masts / just up from the sandy bee bank.

///unfair.slurs.suiting  SU 03791 01319

Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you please, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks and biscuits provided on weekend tasks, and as we move into our Winter works programme, sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 

Please get in touch if you have any queries.



FUTURE DATES - 

Sun 23/11/2025
Wed 26/11/2025
Sat 06/12/2025
Wed 17/12/2025
Sun 21/12/2025
Sat 03/01/2026
Sun 18/01/2026
Wed 28/01/2026
Sat 31/01/2026
Sun 15/02/2026
Wed 25/02/2026
Sat 28/02/2026
Sun 15/03/2026
Wed 25/03/2026
Sat 28/03/2026

Our last 3 sessions have been on our Elford Heath restoration site where some great progress has been made controlling he regen and stopping the Rhododendron creeping onto the site.
There is lots we can still do there, but it is a challenging site to work and really benefits from larger numbers.
With that in mind, we have decided to switch it up a bit and move back to Cannon Hill this Sunday.
We will be looking at a new area for us, the area that links the recently restored Cannon Hill mire and the "Boggy Middle".
The "Boggy Middle" is another area which should be managed as an open habitat and is a mix of dry heath, wet heath and mire.
A really superb area for bio-diversity and one that was nearly a contender for Peat Partnership funding (it didn't quite meet the criteria).
We are keen to get on top of the regen in this area, which could take us a few years while we also progress our other sites.

No bonfire this time as we want to have a good recce and work out exactly what needs doing and how we are going to go about it.

If you want to be involved in the early stages of this project, cut some Pine and Birch, drink tea and eat sausage sandwiches, then please come and join us!

We will be based on the track just down from Dave's bench.
/// unsigned.persuade.statue  SU 04196 01299
Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you like, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks and biscuits provided on weekend tasks, and as we move into our Winter works programme, sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 

Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Please see below for change to November date.
We will also not be holding our usual last Wednesday in the month session next week.

Many thanks,

Andy
07984 843192


FUTURE DATES - 

Sat 15/11/2025 - Date changed from Sat 8th due to task leader availability
Sun 23/11/2025
Wed 26/11/2025​

Continuing the great work from last month, we will continue cutting Pine, Birch and Rhododendron from the heath.
Weather permitting we will have our first bonfire of the season, so please bear that in mind when deciding what to wear.

Elford Heath is our heathland restoration project which we begun in 2019 returning failed conifer plantation back to the scare lowland heathland habitat it would have been 100 years ago.

Elford Heath is a short walk from the parking areas on Uddens Drive (North of the A31).
Either following the main forest road track or the Castleman trailway where you can join the main track near the solar farm.
We will be based on the main track between the open areas (Elford Heath).
///promotes.copiers.bandstand



Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
We aim to get on site at 9am, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you like, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks and biscuits provided on weekend tasks, and as we move into our Winter works programme, sausage sandwiches for lunch (both plant based and traditional), for those that would like them.  Ideally if you could message us to let us know, it would assist the catering.
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 

Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Please see below for change to November date.
We also have an issue on this month's Wednesday. I am looking at options and may be able to sort out cover, but it would be really handy to know who is planning on coming along, to help me decide.
Many thanks,

Andy
07984 843192


FUTURE DATES - 

Sun 26/10/2025
Wed 29/10/2025 -  TBC - 
Sat 15/11/2025 - Date changed from Sat 8th due to task leader availability
Sun 23/11/2025
Wed 26/11/2025
Sat 06/12/2025
Wed 17/12/2025
Sun 21/12/2025
Sat 03/01/2026
Sun 18/01/2026
Wed 28/01/2026
Sat 31/01/2026
Sun 15/02/2026
Wed 25/02/2026
Sat 28/02/2026
Sun 15/03/2026
Wed 25/03/2026
Sat 28/03/2026

We would urge everyone to have a read of the council's plan for new homes and employment land and make your voice heard (deadline 13th October).

The following areas identified are direct neighbours of Cannon Hill.

LA/COLE/004,017,033 Farmland at Pilford including the field used for events.

LA/COLE/014 Farmland North of the A31

LA/COLE/002 Farmland South of the A31

LA/COLE/006 Farmland South of the A31

We have spoken to two of the land owners who have not been consulted and were understandably upset about the situation.

You can read more and have your say here -​

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/dorset-council-local-plan-options-consultation-2025

09:30 Wednesday 24th & 09:00 Sunday 28th September 

With the harvesting operation in full swing in Cannon Hill North, we felt it was prudent to focus on another of our sites for a while.
Elford Heath is our heathland restoration project which we begun in 2019 returning failed conifer plantation back to the scare lowland heathland habitat it would have been 100 years ago.

We will be for both sessions this month and Saturday 11th October at least.

Elford Heath is a short walk from the parking areas on Uddens Drive (North of the A31).
Either following the main forest road track or the Castleman trailway where you can join the main track near the solar farm.
We will be based on the main track between the open areas (Elford Heath).
///promotes.copiers.bandstand
​Wednesday's group task will consist of cutting any regenerating Birch, Rhododendron and maybe pulling some bracken on the previously cleared areas.
On Sunday we will be in the same location, finishing anything left from Wednesday and starting to clear a new area.
We will prepare bonfire site for October (October will also be the start of our sausage sandwiches at lunch time ;-).

Not been before, then the following may be helpful -
The times above are when we aim to get on site, however we appreciate some people like a lie-in and others like to get home for lunch. You are welcome to come and go as you like, but please check in and out with a task leader.
The end time can depend on the weather and energy levels, but is usually around 2pm-3pm.
Hot drinks and biscuits provided on weekend tasks, but feel free to bring lunch etc. 
Gloves, tools and training also supplied as always.
If you are under 16, you are very welcome, but please bring an adult along, even if they just watch / drink tea ;-) 

Please get in touch if you have any queries.

Andy
07984 843192