This Sunday 5th September we will be returning to Cannon Hill South.
Our first time back since this time last year!
The plan is for a bit of a tidy up, encroaching vegetation along the paths, some maintenance of the benches and a litter pick etc.
I am hoping we will also have two refurbished benches to install for the picnic table that is missing them!
There will definitely be something for everyone. 
Tools, gloves, drinks and biscuits supplied, but bring anything other refreshments as we will not be having a fire this month.
We will be onsite from 09:00-14:30 ish, as always come for as long as you wish.
Ideally let me know if you are thinking of coming along by replying to this email or dropping me a message.

Location is off Uddens Drive (South of the A31, so just up from the Old Thatch).
See map.

Can't find us on the day? Call 07984 843192 

Hope to see you,
Andy 

Dear Friends,

This Sunday 8th August we will be finishing our annual Himalayan Balsam pulling efforts along Uddens Water. 
The plan for this time is to start at the Police station end, so we can prioritise anything that is on or around the river bank.  If we clear that, we go back to the area we started in the woodland further up.

Therefore, if you are arriving late and we have moved from the area immediately in from the entrance, just follow the trailway along the river until you see the truck just past the next bridge.

The weather forecast looks ideal for volunteering, but not great for the beach, so you know where you ought to be :-)

Long trousers and substantial footwear essential as the balsam is now mostly in amongst other vegetation and there is a risk of ticks. The ground is mostly pretty uneven too and likely to be boggy in places. The site is mostly in the shade, but please also take the weather conditions into account.  We will carry on if raining (although may finish early). 


For those driving, it is off the Police station / Golf course entrance, the address is Forest Links Rd, Ferndown BH22 9PH (I'm sure the golf course will not object to you parking in their carpark).  

I won't bring the trailer, but we will have the usual hot/cold drinks, biscuits / snacks and gloves. 

There is still some bashing of invading bracken to do on our heathland site if we fancy a change.

Reminder - If you have not already given it (Since last summer), we will need contact details for track and trace and next of kin details in case of emergency. 

Can't find us on the day? Call 07984 843192  
As always come for as long as you wish.
Ideally let me know if you are thinking of coming along by replying to this email or dropping me a message.

Many thanks,
Andy 

If you can't make it, feel free to pull any balsam you see and leave it with the root out of the ground. Balsam pulls up easily. If it has hairs on the stalk and resists pulling out it is not balsam so leave it be 

Future dates -

5th September - Cannon Hill - Task TBC 
3rd October - Cannon Hill - Task TBC
31st October - UP - Heathland Restoration
14th November - UP - Heathland Restoration
12th December - UP - Heathland Restoration
9th January - UP - Heathland Restoration
6th February - UP - Heathland Restoration
6th March - UP - Heathland Restoration
3rd April - Task TBC
15th May - Task TBC
Depending on demand, tasks required and availability, we may slot in some extras or need to adjust the dates a little.

​Dear Friends,

This Sunday 11th July we will be continuing our Himalayan Balsam pulling programme along Uddens Water. 
Thank you to everyone who came last month, the working conditions were certainly better than expected and we were lucky with the weather, but what we did discover was the balsam had spread more than previously thought.

That means we definitely need as many people as we can, to get on top of it!  Whether you have been before or not, you will be made most welcome :-)

All the following info is the same as last month -

Long trousers and substantial footwear essential as the balsam is now mostly in amongst other vegetation and there is a risk of ticks. The ground is mostly pretty uneven too and likely to be boggy in places. The site is mostly in the shade, but please also take the weather conditions into account.  We will carry on if raining (although may finish early). 

We will be starting near the footbridge near Bedborough Farm at 9am and working down towards the police station.

The starting location is a bit of a walk from either access, but particularly if you are unsure it is probably easier to to park at the golf course / police station end and follow the river / Castleman trailway until you find us.
Unfortunately due to Covid precautions, we can't ferry people from the entrances,  so it is on a bike or by foot I'm afraid.
Access point on Uddens Drive is marked with a red dot, the police station entrance isn't marked, but the address is Forest Links Rd, Ferndown BH22 9PH (I'm sure the golf course will not object to you parking in their carpark).

I won't bring the trailer, but we will have the usual hot/cold drinks, biscuits / snacks and gloves. 

There is also some bashing of invading bracken to do on our heathland site if we fancy a change.

Reminder - If you have not already given it (Since last summer), we will need contact details for track and trace and next of kin details in case of emergency. 

As always come for as long as you wish.
Ideally let me know if you are thinking of coming along by replying to this email or dropping me a message.

Many thanks,
Andy 

If you can't make it, feel free to pull any balsam you see and leave it with the root out of the ground. Balsam pulls up easily. If it has hairs on the stalk and resists pulling out it is not balsam so leave it be 

Future dates -

8th August - UP - Balsam Pulling
5th September - Task TBC
3rd October - Task TBC
31st October - UP - Heathland Restoration
14th November - UP - Heathland Restoration
12th December - UP - Heathland Restoration
9th January - UP - Heathland Restoration
6th February - UP - Heathland Restoration
6th March - UP - Heathland Restoration
3rd April - Task TBC
15th May - Task TBC
Depending on demand, tasks required and availability, we may slot in some extras or need to adjust the dates a little.

A brilliant new addition to our history page has been added about the Wigwam cottage on Uddens drive and the Cherrett / Guy family.
Please have a read and if you can add anything to the history of the woods and surrounding areas please let us know!
- Andy 🦎

This Sunday 27th June 09:00-14:30 we will be starting on our Himalayan Balsam pulling programme along Uddens Water.
Long trousers and substantial footwear essential as the balsam is now mostly in amongst other vegetation and there is a risk of ticks. The ground is mostly pretty uneven too and likely to be boggy in places. The site is mostly in the shade, but please also take the weather conditions into account. We will carry on if raining (although may finish early).
We will be starting near the footbridge near Bedborough Farm at 9am and working down towards the police station.
The starting location is a bit of a walk from either access, but particularly if you are unsure it is probably easier to to park at the golf course / police station end and follow the river / Castleman trailway until you find us.
Unfortunately due to Covid precautions, we can't ferry people from the entrances, so it is on a bike or by foot I'm afraid.
Access point on Uddens Drive is marked with a red dot, the police station entrance isn't marked, but the address is Forest Links Rd, Ferndown BH22 9PH (I'm sure the golf course will not object to you parking in their carpark).
I won't bring the trailer, but we will have the usual hot/cold drinks, biscuits / snacks and gloves.
Bring lunch if you are staying long enough.
There is also some bashing of invading bracken to do on our heathland site if we fancy a change.
Reminder - If you have not already given it (Since last summer), we will need contact details for track and trace and next of kin details in case of emergency.
As always come of as long as you wish.
Ideally let me know if you are thinking of coming along by replying to this post or dropping me an email.
Many thanks,
Andy
If you can't make it, feel free to pull any balsam you see and leave it with the root out of the ground. Balsam pulls up easily. If it has hairs on the stalk and resists pulling out it is not balsam so leave it be

​Dear Friends,
Reminder that this Sunday (13th June) our volunteering restarts and all are welcome, whether you have joined us before or not (If you are not free, scroll down for our future dates).
We are re-surfacing the bridleway that runs down the side of the burial mound as the plastic matting is exposed and a little slippery in places, particularly for horses.
Task involves shovelling, barrowing and raking, so if you are looking for a bit of a work out, we could really do with your help. 
We also have a lot of more leisurely tasks including cutting back vegetation on the burial mound (after checking for nesting birds) and bench painting etc.
Any under 16s, please bring an adult (we can keep them supplied with tea and biscuits...or they can join in 🙂).
Anyone who has not already done so will also need to provide their contact details and those of a next of kin. 
All tools and gloves supplied (or bring your own gloves if you prefer). Hot and cold drinks and biscuits also provided.
Covid safe risk assessed working methods as always.
The rangers from Dorset Council who we are working with on this project have already done some prep work on the path and arranged a delivery of materials at the top of the slope. Ranger Will joins us for the day too!  Update - Hopefully by Sunday the pile of material will be distributed to smaller piles down the slope, so less barrowing involved!
We will be on site from 09:00 until 14:30 or thereabouts, depending on how we get on.
As always, come along when you are able for as long as wish.
Knowing rough numbers in advance is useful, so if possible drop us an email or message.

Hope to see you there, either this weekend or in the future.
- Andy 🦎

Dates for future volunteers tasks (Sorry it has taken a while to sort this year) -
All Sundays 09:00 - 14:30 -
2021
13th June - Cannon Hill North - Path repairs and other tasks
27th June - Uddens Plantation - Himalayan Balsam pulling
11th July - UP - Balsam Pulling
8th August - UP - Balsam Pulling
5th September - Task TBC
3rd October - Task TBC
31st October - UP - Heathland Restoration
14th November - UP - Heathland Restoration
12th December - UP - Heathland Restoration
2022
9th January - UP - Heathland Restoration
6th February - UP - Heathland Restoration
6th March - UP - Heathland Restoration
3rd April - Task TBC
15th May - Task TBC
Depending on demand, tasks required and availability, we may slot in some extras or need to adjust the dates a little.

Date for you diary.... Hopefully!
Sunday 4th October we plan to resume our heathland restoration project in Uddens Plantation.
Our volunteer events are fully compliant with the current government legislation, meaning things will be a little different to previous winter task days. 
As we work on Forestry England land, we also need to adhere to their current regulations, which means that although we can accommodate larger numbers, we will be working in groups of 6 on the site with staggered start times.
We are clearing mainly birch and pine from a failed crop to return the are to lowland heathland.

Unless there is a significant change in the weather and plenty of rainfall, it is unlikely we will be having a bonfire in October  (we certainly don't want to set fire to our hard work).
This will give us a chance though to prepare a new fire site closer to where we will be working (less dragging).
NB I wrote the above before the forecast rain, but current FE rules are no fires.

Unfortunately for the time being, you will need to bring your own food and drink with you.  Please bring what you need for however long you are staying.

Tools and gloves will have been safely sanitised and quarantined  before use and will be individually issued for the day. 
You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
We have just invested in some quality saws!

 We are a very inclusive group and welcome new volunteers of all ages and abilities.
We always try to find tasks that suit everyone, but it is worth pointing out a few points about the site we are working on this Winter. 
It is about 15 - 20 mins walk from the road / parking. 
Once off the main track, the ground conditions are quite challenging and uneven from historic ploughing. (see pic below)

We are on site from 9am - 2.30pm, but flexible with timings.  People are generally welcome to come and go as they please, although we do need to stagger start times to meet with restrictions (nobody will need to stay longer than they wish). 

We are now required to record some details from all attendees.  Not only for track and trace purposes, but also in case of emergency.
All information kept following GDPR guidelines.
(If you have already have given this info, you don't need to do it again).
Name -
Contact number -
Emergency contact name -
Emergency contact number -
Any relevant medical conditions you want us to be aware of -

It would also be handy to know if you have a current first aid qualification.

What time are you likely to be with us 9am, 9.30am, 10am or later?
(to allow us to plan work groups)

You can email or bring the contact details on the day.
Please definitely let us know if you are planning on attending and when.

There are location maps and more information here

Lots of information, so please ask if you have any queries, particularly if you haven't been before.



All the above is of course dependent on the current situation! 

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🦎