Hi All,

This Saturday 14th June, we have a couple of tasks to complete in Uddens Plantation.

A few changes to our usual procedures -
We will be onsite from 09:00 at Elford Heath, but for several reasons expect to finish earlier than normal 13:30 - 14:00.
We won't have the trailer, or usual vehicle, so please bring any food and drink you need to keep you going.
Gloves and any tools needed will be supplied.

We will start off knocking back some invasive bracken which as in previous years is attempting to gain a foothold on our heathland restoration site. 
It is working, it is definitely less each year!
We will then be moving to Uddens Water to pull invasive Himalayan Balsam.  This is another massive success story, as we have made a lot of progress over the years controlling it.
For those that would like to tackle the less strenuous balsam from the start, we can accommodate if we have the first aid cover (With the extra 7 recent first aiders, this should be fine :-)

What to wear - both tasks are in amongst the undergrowth (with brambles and nettles possible as well as the distinct possibility of ticks).  The ground is uneven and could be muddy/wet where the balsam is.
Definitely suggest long trousers and even long sleeves.  Footwear to suit too.

It is a little bit of a walk and it is most likely that we will end up closer to the Ferndown golf club end, so choose whether you want a longer walk at the start or end :-)


Elford Heath restoration site (Main track) - Then follow the grass ride up towards the A31 until you see us
fired.partied.radically
SU 05477 01766

Footbridge on trailway near solar farm - If you can't see us, use the radio on the vehicle bonnet with the sign in sheet or call mobile.
invisible.crafts.insolvent
SU 05769 02189

Parking on Uddens drive (where the trailway crosses or in the entrance to Uddens Plantation near the A31. Don't block emergency access obvs)
Parking at Ferndown Forest Golf course (why not grab something to eat or drink at the Forest Inn on the way home.... It is very good!)

Any questions, get in touch,
Andy -  [email protected] 07984 843192

FUTURE DATES - 

Wed 25/06/2025
Sun 29/06/2025
Sat 12/07/2025
Sun 27/07/2025
Wed 30/07/2025

Hi All,

We have two task days coming up, one tomorrow (Wed 28th May) in Cannon Hill North, led by Paul & Francis and then on Sunday 1st June we will be at Cannon Hill South.

Wednesday
As we approach the last Wednesday of the month, we’re offering a great opportunity to get involved in two of our woodland projects.
1) Removing invasive vegetation from the top of our Dorset Peat Project mire.
2) Carefully removing vegetation from one of our Scheduled Ancient Monuments; Burial Mound. (Authorised by Historic England)
😁Our regular volunteers will vouch for how good getting involved can make you feel… assisting nature to clean & purify the air we breath, enhancing wellbeing & maintaining our open spaces, providing wildlife habitats!
New volunteers are welcome to join us and join in
We will be based at the top of the mire on Wednesday from 9:30 - 2:30 approximately.
///custodian.softly.composer.
Look for the big yellow LandRover at the top of Lizzard Alley.
We will provide tools and training. Please bring your own drinks and food, especially if the weather is warm.
Dress for the weather and consider spikey vegetation and uneven ground. There are ticks at this time of year so checking yourself afterwards is advised.
Key for location map below -
Yellow = Uddens Drive car parking
Red = Dog Splash
 Blue= Work Site

Get in touch:
[email protected]

Sunday

Cannon Hill South on Sunday with a variety of small tasks, including -
Some maintenance of the perch benches.
Cutting back encroaching vegetation along the tracks and paths.
Litter picking.
Bracken management.
Recording our bird boxes.

We will have drinks and biscuits as always, but please bring some lunch if staying all day.
Tools, training and gloves provided. 
We will be onsite from 9am to 3pm ish, but start and end times are up to you. Just remember to check in and out :-)
The trailer and our "base" for the day will be in the picnic glade ///nicknames.worldwide.agenda
This is obviously off Uddens Drive, South of the A31 and up from the Old Thatch.
Follow the bridleway along the field edge and you can't miss us.

Any questions, get in touch,
Andy -  [email protected] 07984 843192

FUTURE DATES - 
Sat 15/06/2025
Wed 25/06/2025
Sun 29/06/2025
Sat 12/07/2025
Sun 27/07/2025
Wed 30/07/2025
Sat 09/08/2025
Wed 27/08/2025
Sun 31/08/2025
Sat 13/09/2025
Wed 24/09/2025
Sun 28/09/2025
Sat 11/10/2025
Sun 26/10/2025
Wed 29/10/2025
Sat 08/11/2025
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

Hi All,

Tomorrow's task should be a fun one with lots of benefit for biodiversity.

We will be doing some sensitive vegetation clearing on the sandy bee bank, home to many solitary bees and other invertebrates.

This site is on the main forest track that runs through Cannon Hill North. The same track that has the dog splash, although it is further up towards Colehill on the bend.
Follow the track from either end, you won't miss us!

Location ///maker.brother.relished  SU 03828 01406
We will have drinks and biscuits as always, but please bring some lunch if staying all day.

Tools, training and gloves provided. No special footwear required, it is dry. :-)

We will be onsite from 9am to 3pm ish, but start and end times are up to you. Just remember to check in and out :-)


FUTURE DATES - 
Wed 28/05/2025
Sun 01/06/2025
Sat 15/06/2025
Wed 25/06/2025
Sun 29/06/2025
Sat 12/07/2025
Sun 27/07/2025
Wed 30/07/2025
Sat 09/08/2025
Wed 27/08/2025
Sun 31/08/2025
Sat 13/09/2025
Wed 24/09/2025
Sun 28/09/2025
Sat 11/10/2025
Sun 26/10/2025
Wed 29/10/2025
Sat 08/11/2025
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

Hi All,

Hope you had a great Easter.
Three weeks have passed and we are keen to get on with another project.
This Sunday we will be in Cannon Hill North, working from the Dog splash.
We have loads of little jobs to do, from reinforcing the dam, improving the dead hedge, picnic bench refurbishment and of course some Rhododendron for those missing it.

As we are now well into bird nesting season, the jobs and work areas chosen have been picked to avoid any disturbance.

We will have drinks and biscuits as always, but please bring some lunch if staying all day.

Tools, training and gloves provided. For those feeling a little more adventurous, wellies would be useful.

We will be onsite from 9am to 3pm ish, but start and end times are up to you. Just remember to check in and out :-)

I'm sure everyone knows this location, but if not, we will be here -  ///flirts.dislodge.mows     SU 04474 01304

​Our last Wednesday of the month for April will not be a practical task day as eight of the team are attending a first aid course. Which is brilliant x

https://mailchi.mp/97afaa468342/early-april-6747147

Volunteer task in Cannon Hill North.  
​Details in link above

Dates for your diaries...... a whole years worth no less!!
This is what we are hoping to do, but it is possible we may need to change a few depending on who is available etc.
Hopefully we will be able to share them on an online calendar soon, so if that is easier for you, you may want to wait a while :-)
Sat 05/04/2025
Sun 27/04/2025
Wed 30/04/2025
Sat 17/05/2025
Wed 28/05/2025
Sun 01/06/2025
Sat 15/06/2025
Wed 25/06/2025
Sun 29/06/2025
Sat 12/07/2025
Sun 27/07/2025
Wed 30/07/2025
Sat 09/08/2025
Wed 27/08/2025
Sun 31/08/2025
Sat 13/09/2025
Wed 24/09/2025
Sun 28/09/2025
Sat 11/10/2025
Sun 26/10/2025
Wed 29/10/2025
Sat 08/11/2025
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

Hi All,
Are you free this Sunday 23rd March?
We are spending the day back in our spiritual home, Cannon Hill South.
This is the small yet mighty wedge of Cannon Hill on the South of the A31, just up from the Old Thatch on Uddens Drive.

We will be basing ourselves right in the middles at the 5 ways junction, so impossible to miss us. (Please contact us if you need more directions).

Tasks include bench maintenance, some path maintenance, Rhododendron clearing and maybe more. Definitely something for everyone.
Drinks and biscuits as always, but as we move out of the Winter season, please bring lunch if staying the day.

Wednesday 26th March - Paul and Francis will be leading this one and it is likely to be a little mobile across several sites.
To get involved, please contact Paul direct on - [email protected]
  

More dates for your diaries -

To follow soon!

​Hi All,
3 Great opportunities coming up over the next 2 weeks or so.

Sunday 23rd Feb
We will be continuing from where we left off last month at White Sheet Hill (Adjoining Holt Heath) this Sunday 23rd from 9am to 3pm.
We will be cutting and burning the Birch, Pine and and some Gorse that is spreading over this precious heathland site.
As always join us when and for as long as you wish.
The site is more dry heath than wet in this location, but please dress for the weather, spiky vegetation and possible bonfire sparks.
As always, refreshments, tools, gloves and training provided.
Plant based and meat sausage sandwiches are on the menu for lunch. 
Everyone welcome (under 16's accompanied please.
Carpark location BH21 7DB  ///fabric.armrests.recapture (Blue dot on map below)
From the carpark it is just a short walk to the worksite, following the main track and then taking a left at the first junction.
Worksite location  (Red dot on map below)  ///built.sunblock.prowling

Wednesday 26th February & Saturday 8th March

 A fortnight ago we went back to our Elford Heath restoration site where we are returning a failed conifer crop site to scarce lowland heathland.
It is progressing well, but some Birch and Pine are popping back up and there is a corner of the site that we still need to clear.

On Wednesday the team will be continuing to cut and pile, ready to burn it up on Saturday 8th March, which will likely be our final fire of the season.
 Tools, gloves and training provided. Please dress for the weather, uneven ground and spikey vegetation (and bonfire sparks on the Saturday).
Wednesday - Please bring your own refreshments.
Saturday - Drinks, biscuits and sausage sandwiches at lunch time.
Everyone welcome (under 16's accompanied please).
The work site is a little walk along the Castleman trailway with parking available at the Uddens Drive end or from the police station.
Uddens Drive Carpark location ///options.vitamins.converter (Blue dot on map below)
Ferndown Forest Golf Club Carpark location ///riches.grow.maker (Blue dot on map below)
The worksite is next to the solar farm at Bedborough.  ///grounding.abundance.protester (Red dot on map below)

From either end, follow the Castleman Trailway and you won't miss us. (orange dots on map)


More dates for your diaries -

March
Sunday 23rd
Wednesday 26th

We will be holding the AGM for this financial year on Wednesday 12th March.
This is a chance to catch up on and celebrate the work over the last year.

Once again we will be holding it at one of our favourite venues, the awesome Highmead Community Farm.
Following the success of the BBQ last time, we will once again be providing food (just finalising the details on that).

The formalities will be kept to a minimum to allow time to socialise.

However... We are looking for new trustees, as we are now down to our minimum number (3) and fresh ideas / viewpoints are always welcome.
Please get in touch before the end of February if you would like to know more about the role, or if you would like to come along to a few committee meeting to see if it is for you.

If you have any particular questions or things you would like discussed at the AGM, please also let us know.

Contact - [email protected]

We will be sharing more details on the 2nd March , but for now, put it in your diary, we would love to see you!

The Trustees 🦎

Let's try again!
This Saturday (with no storms forecast.....) we will be working at Elford heath from 9am until 3pm ish.
All the following still applies, but we plan to have a fire this time, so please take that into account with clothing etc.

Dear all,
I can't believe it is nearly 2 years since we worked on our Elford Heath restoration site where we are returning a failed conifer crop site to scarce lowland heathland.
It is progressing well, but some Birch and Pine are popping back up and there is a corner of the site that we still need to clear.
It looks like it will still be a little windy, so we won't be having a fire, which will also give us an opportunity to prep a fire site and cut some material ready for February.
As always, refreshments, tools, gloves and training provided. Please dress for the weather, uneven ground and spikey vegetation.
Everyone welcome (under 16's accompanied please.
The work site is a little walk along the Castleman trailway with parking available at the Uddens Drive end or from the police station.
Uddens Drive Carpark location ///options.vitamins.converter (Blue dot on map below)
Ferndown Forest Golf Club Carpark location ///riches.grow.maker (Blue dot on map below)
The worksite is next to the solar farm at Bedborough.  ///grounding.abundance.protester (Red dot on map below)

From either end, follow the Castleman Trailway and you won't miss us. (orange dots on map)

Sausage sandwiches (plant based and meat) at lunchtime.

It is handy, though not essential to know who is coming in advance, particularly for those who would like a meat or plant based sausage sandwich at lunch time.  It you can, please reply to this email / post.

More dates for your diaries -


February 
Sunday 23rd Whitesheet Hill - Cutting and burning Birch, Pine & Rhododendron on the heath - Continuation of work started 11/01
Wednesday 26th TBC

March 
Saturday 8th TBC
Sunday 23rd TBC
Wednesday 26th TBC

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Kind regards,
Andy