Hi Friends, 
We were the first Dorset Peat Partnership project to start, but we now have some competition hot on our heels, just up the road at Whitesheet Hill where a contractor commenced scrub clearance this week.
This Sunday we will be back continuing in the same location as previous sessions(as we will be on Saturday 16th December). 
The only change this weekend will be that due to logistics challenges we will not have our water bowser.
Therefore, if we do have a fire it will be a lot smaller than usual.
Fear not though, there will still be sausages at lunchtime and we will make up for it with a good seasonal burn on the 16th! 
Tasks as before -
1. Cutting the Birch and Pine regen out on the mire  - Great start earlier in the month and much drier underfoot than expected which was a good thing for us, but a bad thing for the peat in the mire and evidence why the project is so important.
2.  Continue cutting the Rhododendron on the drier area - still plenty to do!
3.  Process (cut up smaller) the previously cut Rhododendron and stack near the fire site 

Sausages are on the menu at lunchtime.
Traditional and plant based as standard, but do let us know if you have any other requirements.
To assist with the catering, ideally please let us know if you are coming along before Saturday.
You can email admin@cannonhillfriends.org.uk or comment on the Facebook post.

For those that have not been before or recently -
We are onsite from 9am - 3pm ish You are welcome to come and go at times convenient to you.
Stay for the whole session or pop along for a couple of hours.
We always have a plentiful supply of hot and cold drinks and biscuits.
Sausages in bread at lunchtime for those that would like it.

Tools, gloves, training and safety brief provided.
We now have a good supply of new bowsaws and loppers courtesy of the Dorset Peat Partnership, so nobody will be left with ropey old tools!

Please dress for the weather, uneven /wet ground conditions, possible spikey vegetation and proximity to a bonfire.

LOCATION
We will base ourselves at the top of Lizard alley for those in the know!
You will see the trailer from there.
(Blue dot on map) -
SU 04318 01130
///custodian.softly.composer

Parking (Red dot on map) -
Parking area and entrance off Uddens Drive (North from the A31)
SU 04916 01268
///halt.opened.common

Hope to see you there or at one of our future events (2024 dates coming soon!).

Please don't hesitate to ask if you need more information.

Kind regards,
Andy 
07984 843192

Keep reading for details of this Saturday's volunteering opportunity. 

Before I get to that though, we have funding from the Dorset Peat Partnership for some first aid training.
The one day course is fully accredited Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry.
We obviously want to prioritise this training for our regular weekend volunteers, but are also interested in anyone who cannot make the weekends, but would be interested in weekday volunteering.
There may also be the opportunity to part fund occasional volunteers.
Lastly if you aren't able to actively support us, but would be interested in paying to do the course, depending on numbers, you may be able to join us getting this excellent training at a lower rate than if you booked direct.
Please let us know if you are interested and we will see what we can do.

Saturday 18th November we are continuing the work from the last few sessions we are working on restoring the mire wetland and "drier" heathland in Cannon Hill North.
A selection of tasks this month which should mean that there is something for everyone -
1. Cutting the Birch and Pine regen out on the mire  - Great start earlier in the month and much drier underfoot than expected which was a good thing for us, but a bad thing for the peat in the mire and evidence why the project is so important.
2.  Continue cutting the Rhododendron on the drier area - We left this last time, so still plenty to do!
3.  Process (cut up smaller) the previously cut Rhododendron and load the fire - Great progress made, but plenty still to clear
4.  COMPLETED!! Dragging the previously cut Rhododendron from the first work site - Well done Martin & Muriel :-)

Sausages are on the menu at lunchtime.
Meat and plant based as standard, but do let us know if you have any other requirements.
To assist with the catering, ideally please let us know if you are coming along before Friday.
You can email admin@cannonhillfriends.org.uk or comment on the Facebook post.

For those that have not been before or recently -
We are onsite from 9am - 3pm ish You are welcome to come and go at times convenient to you.
Stay for the whole session or pop along for a couple of hours.
We always have a plentiful supply of hot and cold drinks and biscuits.
Sausages in bread at lunchtime for those that would like it.

Tools, gloves, training and safety brief provided.
We now have a good supply of new bowsaws and loppers courtesy of the Dorset Peat Partnership, so nobody will be left with  ropey old tools!

Please dress for the weather, uneven /wet ground conditions, possible spikey vegetation and proximity to a bonfire.
It looks like at the very least the ground conditions will be wetter than last time and it is likely to be particularly wet under foot for those willing to venture into the mire.

LOCATION
We will base ourselves at the top of Lizard alley for those in the know!
You will see the trailer from there.
(Blue dot on map) -
SU 04318 01130
///custodian.softly.composer

Parking (Red dot on map) -
Parking area and entrance off Uddens Drive (North from the A31)
SU 04916 01268
///halt.opened.common

Hope to see you there or at one of our future events (see below).

Please don't hesitate to ask if you need more information.

Kind regards,
Andy 
07984 843192

Future dates for your diary -

Sun 3rd December
Sat 16th December
2024 dates coming soon.

Hi Friends,
I hope the storms have not caused you too much aggravation!
The forecast this Sunday is looking the best we have had for some time, so it is a great opportunity to un-batten the hatches and come and join us for what is surely one of our most exciting projects yet!
Continuing the work from last month we are working on restoring the mire wetland and "drier" heathland in Cannon Hill North.
A selection of tasks this month which should mean that there is something for everyone -
1. Cutting the Birch and Pine regen out on the mire  - We must crack on with this task this month, but it is certainly one for the adventurously sure footed :-)
2.  Continue cutting the Rhododendron on the drier area 
3.  Process (cut up smaller) the previously cut Rhododendron and load the fire - This definitely needs some focus on Sunday as we have been cutting it faster than we can clear it! 
4.  Dragging the previously cut Rhododendron from the first work site.

Sausages are on the menu at lunchtime again and we can cater for all dietary requirements.
To assist with the catering, ideally please let us know if you are coming along before Saturday and certainly if you require plant based or gluten free. You can email admin@cannonhillfriends.org.uk or comment on the Facebook post.

For those that have not been before or recently -

We are onsite from 9am - 3pm ish You are welcome to come and go at times convenient to you. Stay for the whole session or pop along for a couple of hours.
We always have a plentiful supply of hot and cold drinks and biscuits.
Sausages in a roll at lunchtime for those that would like it.

Tools, gloves, training and safety brief provided.
We now have a good supply of new bowsaws and loppers courtesy of the Dorset Peat Partnership, so nobody will be left with  ropey old tools!

Please dress for the weather, uneven /wet ground conditions, possible spikey vegetation and proximity to a bonfire.
It looks like at the very least the ground conditions will be wetter than last time and it is likely to be particularly wet under foot for those willing to venture into the mire.

LOCATION
We will base ourselves at the top of Lizard alley for those in the know!
Trailer / meeting point (Blue dot on map) -
SU 04318 01130
///custodian.softly.composer

Parking (Red dot on map) -
Parking area and entrance off Uddens Drive (North from the A31)
SU 04916 01268
///halt.opened.common

Hope to see you there or at one of our future events (see below).

Please don't hesitate to ask if you need more information.

Kind regards,
Andy 
07984 843192

Future dates for your diary -

Sat 18th November
Sun 3rd December
Sat 16th December

​Hi Friends,

Firstly a massive thanks to those of you that were able to join us for our BBQ and AGM on Wednesday.
If you weren't able to come along, look out for the presentation we will share shortly.

A few exciting projects were announced, not least our superb new logo (above) and branding by Glassup & Stoski for which we are so grateful.

This month (This Sunday in fact) we are starting a new project, building on from our Dog Splash project in Cannon Hill Mire.  Working with the Dorset Peat Partnership and Forestry England, the mire and surrounding dry heath areas will be restored over the next two years.  
To kick things off on Sunday 1st October, we will beginning clearing the Rhododendron encroaching at the top of the site.

We will not be having our customary winter bonfire this week as we still need to work out an appropriate location and safe method to avoid damaging the peat we are trying to protect.

For those that have not been before or recently -

We are onsite from 9am - 3pm ish You are welcome to come and go at times convenient to you. Stay for the whole session or pop along for a couple of hours.
We always have a plentiful supply of hot and cold drinks and biscuits.
As we are not having a fire, please bring any other food you need to keep you going.

Tools, gloves, training and safety brief provided.
Please dress for the weather, uneven ground conditions (it is not particularly wet where we plan to be) and possible spikey vegetation.
LOCATION
We will base ourselves at the top of Lizard alley for those in the know!
Trailer / meeting point (Blue dot on map) -
SU 04318 01130
///custodian.softly.composer

Parking (Red dot on map) -
Parking area and entrance off Uddens Drive (North from the A31)
SU 04916 01268
///halt.opened.common
Hope to see you there or at one of our future events (see below),

Kind regards,
Andy
07984 843192

Future dates for your diary -

Sat 21st October
Sun 5th November
Sat 18th November
Sun 3rd December
Sat 16th December

Hi all,
This Saturday we will be setting up base at the top burial mound / viewpoint (the one with the fence around it).
The burial mound itself needs a spruce up and the bridle way running down towards the A31 bridge needs a prune as it is getting a little overgrown.

There is plenty to do in and around the site, so the more the merrier.

Hot and cold drinks and of course biscuits will be fully stocked!

We will be on site from 9am until 2.30pm ish.

Let me know if you would like more directions.

Many thanks,

Andy

Apologies for the short notice but we have had to cancel the volunteer work party this weekend.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. x

Hi all,
After the awesome effort that has gone into the last couple of months, we are closer to clearing all the Himalayan balsam from our site than we have ever been.
All the details below are the same as 2 weeks ago.
We have a small amount of balsam to clear, before we move on to the heathland site.  The Bracken desperately needs some attention before it spreads and out competes the heather on the site.

We will be starting with some pulling of the invasive Himalayan balsam from 9am, before moving to our heathland restoration site to trample some encroaching bracken.
Long sleeves and trousers are recommended
Attached map shows both locations.
Small blue car is our base and will have a walkie talkie left with it so you can contact us if we are not in sight when you arrive.
What 3 Words -  
9am initial site –  ///blinking.foggy.polar
Heathland site -  ///latter.clots.indulges
As always hot and cold drinks supplied, plus bourbon biscuits and gloves.
We will be onsite from 9am until we have had enough… 1pm / 2pm latest…

Andy

Hi all,
The weather is looking a lot better tomorrow morning, so why not come and give us a hand in Uddens plantation.
We will be starting with some pulling of the invasive Himalayan balsam from 9am, before moving to our heathland restoration site to trample some encroaching bracken.
Long sleeves and trousers are recommended
Attached map shows both locations.
Small blue car is our base and will have a walkie talkie left with it so you can contact us if we are not in sight when you arrive.
What 3 Words -  
9am initial site –  ///blinking.foggy.polar
Heathland site -  ///latter.clots.indulges
As always hot and cold drinks supplied, plus bourbon biscuits and gloves.
We will be onsite from 9am until we have had enough… 1pm / 2pm latest…

Andy

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