Happy New Year!
Why not burn off some of those seasonal excesses by coming along to our volunteer task day this Sunday 9th January.
We are on site from 9am until 2.30pm (We may also finish earlier depending on the weather), but as always feel free to start and finish as you wish..

We are continuing our heathland restoration project, so the tasks mainly comprise of cutting and dragging pine & birch from the heath to the fire site.
The ground conditions are a little challenging in places, but there are easier areas for the less adventurous.
There will be a bonfire and sausages for brunch.
Hot and cold drinks, biscuits, gloves and tools supplied as always.

The work site is just 10 minutes walk from the nearest parking off Uddens Drive (North of the A31)
If you stick to the main vehicle track through Uddens plantation, you can't miss us.

Parking - SU 04997 01187   W3W /// older.tributes.foot 
​(Or a little further up Uddens Drive, where parking is available on both sides of the road.  Please don't block the gates).

Work site - SU 05587 01601  W3W /// fear.marked.width

This is definitely a task where we benefit from as many people as possible.
All welcome (under 16s to be accompanied).
If you have not been before (or recently), we will need your name and a contact number (for track and trace) and also an emergency contact. 
Dress for the weather and bear in mind sparks from the bonfire.
Ideally let me know if you are planning to come along.

More details and maps here 

Kind regards,

Andy 🦎
07984 843192
​admin@cannonhillfriends.org.uk

Sunday task days for your diary -
 6th February, 6th March
(I may be able to add some week day sessions in the New Year if there is interest?)

Come along to our Christmas volunteer task day this Sunday 12th December

We are on site from 9am until 2.30pm (We may also finish earlier depending on the weather), but as always feel free to start and finish as you wish..

We are continuing our heathland restoration project, so the tasks mainly comprises of cutting and dragging pine & birch from the heath to the fire site.
The ground conditions are a little challenging in places, but there are easier areas for the less adventurous.

We aim to have a bonfire and sausages cooked around 1pm.

Hot and cold drinks, biscuits....... and maybe mince pies, gloves and tools supplied.

The work site is just 10 minutes walk from the nearest parking off Uddens Drive (North of the A31)
If you stick to the main vehicle track through Uddens plantation, you can't miss us.

Parking - SU 04997 01187   W3W /// older.tributes.foot 
​(Or a little further up Uddens Drive, where parking is available on both sides of the road.  Please don't block the gates).

Work site - SU 05587 01601  W3W /// fear.marked.width

This is definitely a task where we benefit from as many people as possible.
All welcome (under 16s to be accompanied).
If you have not been before (or recently), we will need your name and a contact number (for track and trace) and also an emergency contact. 
Dress for the weather and bear in mind sparks from the bonfire.

Ideally let me know if you are planning to come along.

More details and maps here 

​You can also see some of the pictures from November here.

Kind regards,

Andy 🦎
07984 843192
​admin@cannonhillfriends.org.uk

Sunday task days for your diary -
 9th January, 6th February, 6th March
(I may be able to add some week day sessions in the New Year if there is interest?)

​After having to cancel the other week due to the strong winds (The right decision given the number of fallen trees locally), we are having another go at re-starting our heathland project.
As it is Remembrance Sunday we will be observing 2 minutes silence at 11am.  

​Dear Friends,
We are continuing our heathland project that we started in 2019, but were unable get much further on during the winter of 2020/2021 for obvious reasons...
Hopefully we are able to make some real progress this winter.
We have 6 sessions pencilled in on this project (See dates below) and may try and fit a few more in if possible.
We are onsite from 9am until 2.30pm.  As usual, you are welcome to start and finish when it suits.
Don't forget the clocks go back!
We may also finish earlier depending on the weather.

The task mainly comprises of cutting and dragging pine & birch from the heath to the fire site.
The ground conditions are a little challenging, but there are easier areas for the less adventurous.

We are hoping to have a bonfire and jacket potatoes around 1pm.

Hot and cold drinks, biscuits, gloves and tools supplied.

The work site is 10 minutes walk from the nearest parking off Uddens Drive (North of the A31)
If you stick to the main vehicle track through Uddens plantation, you can't miss us.

Parking - SU 04997 01187   W3W /// older.tributes.foot 
​(Or a little further up Uddens Drive, where parking is available on both sides of the road.  Please don't block the gates).

Work site - SU 05587 01601  W3W /// fear.marked.width

This is definitely a task where we benefit from as many people as possible.
All welcome (under 16s to be accompanied).
If you have not been before (or recently), we will need your name and a contact number (for track and trace) and also an emergency contact. 

Please let me know if you are planning to come along.

More details and maps here

Kind regards,

Andy 🦎
07984 843192
​admin@cannonhillfriends.org.uk

Sunday task days for your diary -
12th December, 9th January, 6th February, 6th March
(I may be able to add some week day sessions in the New Year if there is interest)

Unfortunately with a weather warning and strong winds now forecast for tomorrow, it would not be wise to continue with the task day.
Of course the weather may change, but a certain amount of prep would need to take place today, hence calling it now.
Hopefully we can get cracking in a fortnight.

Dear Friends,
We are continuing our heathland project that we started in 2019, but were unable get much further on during the winter of 2020/2021 for obvious reasons...
Hopefully we are able to make some real progress this winter.
We have 6 sessions pencilled in on this project (See dates below) and may try and fit a few more in if possible.
We are onsite from 9am until 2.30pm.  As usual, you are welcome to start and finish when it suits.
Don't forget the clocks go back!
We may also finish earlier depending on the weather.

The task mainly comprises of cutting and dragging pine & birch from the heath to the fire site.
The ground conditions are a little challenging, but there are easier areas for the less adventurous.

We are hoping to have a bonfire and jacket potatoes around 1pm.

Hot and cold drinks, biscuits, gloves and tools supplied.

The work site is 10 minutes walk from the nearest parking off Uddens Drive (North of the A31)
If you stick to the main vehicle track through Uddens plantation, you can't miss us.

Parking - SU 04997 01187   W3W /// older.tributes.foot 
​(Or a little further up Uddens Drive, where parking is available on both sides of the road.  Please don't block the gates).

Work site - SU 05587 01601  W3W /// fear.marked.width

This is definitely a task where we benefit from as many people as possible.
All welcome (under 16s to be accompanied).
If you have not been before (or recently), we will need your name and a contact number (for track and trace) and also an emergency contact. 

Please let me know if you are planning to come along.

More details and maps here

Kind regards,

Andy 🦎
07984 843192

Sunday task days for your diary -
31st October, 14th November, 12th December, 9th January, 6th February, 6th March

Dear friends,
This Sunday we will be continuing our work cutting back encroaching vegetation on the trailway and other paths in both Cannon Hill South and North.
If the weather is dry enough we also have some benches that need a coat of preserver.
Tools, gloves, drinks and biscuits supplied, but bring anything other refreshments as we will not be having a fire on this task.
We will be onsite from 09:00-14:30 ish, and 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.

See location map and details below.

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

We have also squeezed a 2nd work party in to October, with a Halloween special kicking off our return to our Heathland restoration project.   Conditions depending, this will include a bonfire and jacket potatoes and is a key project for us that really benefits from larger numbers, so please spread the word! 

Hope to see you,
Andy 


Future dates -

31st October - Uddens Plantation - 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.

​Parking and access is straightforward from Uddens Drive either side of the A31. Follow the Castleman Trailway from either side and you cannot miss us!
The trailer will be on the North side of the A31 where the bridge crosses.

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 🦎