Unfortunately, once again we have been beaten by the weather.
We were hoping the forecast would improve for tomorrow, but it seems to be getting worse.
Please stay safe and we will hopefully see you at the end of the month x

Dear all,
At time of writing this, the forecast is not looking great, but hopefully it will improve for Saturday
If a weather warning for wind is still in force for Saturday at lunch time on Friday,  then we will have to cancel unfortunately. We don't have any sites that we can safely get to that don't involve passing trees. Strong winds and trees can obviously lead to problems...
All being well, this Saturday we will be on Elford Heath  in Uddens Plantation.
We will be working just off the Castleman Trailway, where it runs passed the solar farm at Bedborough, so as long as you follow the trailway from either Uddens Drive of the police station, you can't miss us!
 https://w3w.co/replying.humble.only
I have had to look up when we were last on Elford Heath..... March 2023 apparently!
It is definitely time to get back to working on the section we haven't yet got to as well as managing any Pine and Birch regen on the wider site.
We plan to have a bonfire (weather permitting), so please bear that in mind when planning what to wear.
The ground is also quite uneven in places, so stout footwear is recommended.
Abundant drinks and biscuits supplied as always for a weekend task and for those around at lunchtime there will be sausages (plant based and regular).
Tools, gloves and training supplied. 
As always, come and go as it suits, we will be onsite at 9am, until 3pm (earlier finish possible in poor weather).
Under 16's with an adult please and there are tasks for those that don't want to venture too far of the beaten track 🙂
If you are coming along (particular if you would like lunch) if would be handy to know before late afternoon Friday.
First Aid Courses
We are looking for some more of our regular volunteers to complete a first aid course.
This one day course is Emergency First Aid at Work with an additional forestry specific element.
Please let us know if you would be interested. Thankyou to those that have already put themselves forward!
Massive thanks go to Dorset Peat Partnership for making these courses possible.

Our future dates -
December (No weekday task this month as Paul and Francis are refusing to work Wed 25th.....)
Sunday 29th - Cannon Hill North - Dorset Peat Partnership mire restoration, clearing the remaining Birch and Pine from the drier fringes and Rhododendron from the surrounding woodland. We will be in the same location that we have been for the last few months on this project.
January
Saturday 11th - Whitesheet Hill - A brand new location for us for a volunteer task day.  Come and help us put our stamp on this amazing site.
Sunday 26th - Elford Heath, Uddens plantation  - Continuing our work on our heathland restoration site.
Wednesday 29th - Cannon Hill North - Completing the work to clear the bridleway and footpath that was started on the November weekday session.

February & March
Saturday 8th
Sunday 23rd
Wednesday 26th

Unfortunately we have had to take the decision to cancel the volunteer task this Sunday.
With a weather warning in place and strong winds forecast, it would be unwise to continue.
It may not be as bad as forecast, but we are cancelling now to allow people to make alternative plans for the weekend...... like staying in bed!
It also takes a certain amount of prep before an event, making it a challenging to make a late decision.

Francis and Paul would still love to see you on Wednesday though!

If you are out and about this weekend, please look after yourselves.

Probably for the last time this Winter, but certainly this year (as we fancy a change of scenery...as beautiful as it is!), we will be back on the Dorset Peat Partnership mire restoration site in Cannon Hill North.
We still have some Pine and Birch to cut on the drier heath fringes and the ever encroaching Rhododendron.
You may even find a pine that will do as a unique Christmas tree, or how about a Birch Christmas tree? Not as crazy as it sounds, honestly! ;-)
We won't be having a bonfire (next month, we promise), but for those around at lunchtime there will be sausages (plant based and regular).
We will be on-site 9am-3pm (possibly finishing earlier, depending on the weather). As always, come and go as it suits.
Abundant drinks and biscuits supplied as always for a weekend task.
Tools, gloves and training supplied. Sturdy footwear recommended and maybe wellies if you want to work nearer the mire.
We will be in the same location as we have been for the last two task days.
w3w ///revise.chest.gladiator
Easy to find though - from the dog splash, continue up the main gravel track and we will be along the first track on the left.
If coming from Colehill / Bridleway, head down the steep track from the picnic area and past Dave's bench.
As always, come and go as it suits, under 16's with an adult please.
If you are coming along (particular if you would like lunch) if would be handy to know before late afternoon Friday.

Our future dates -
November
Wednesday 27th  09.30-14.30
This task run by Francis and Paul, will be cutting back vegetation along the bridleway that runs directly up from the entrance track of CHN (off Uddens Drive parking area) and the windy path that is parallel to it and runs through the recently (several years ago) planted conifer crop.
Meeting point w3w///rural.thinks.roofs

December
Saturday 7th
Back to Elford Heath in Uddens Plantation
Sunday 29th
Task location tbc

Continuing the amazing achievements of October we will be back in the same location at Cannon Hill North on Saturday 9th November  from 9am - 3pm ish where we plan to clear some more of the regen from the heath around the mire and tackle some Rhododendron that is at risk of creeping onto the heath and mire.
We won't be having a bonfire, but for those around at lunchtime there will be sausages (plant based and regular).
Abundant drinks and biscuits supplied as always for a weekend task.
Tools, gloves and training supplied. Sturdy footwear recommended and maybe wellies if you want to work nearer the mire (it is now a lot dryer where we will be).
Although we will be working on the mire, we are approaching it from a different angle and will be basing ourselves in a different location.
w3w ///revise.chest.gladiator
Easy to find though - from the dog splash, continue up the hill and we will be along the first track on the left.
If coming from Colehill / Bridleway, head down the steep track from the picnic area and past Dave's bench.
As always, come and go as it suits, under 16's with an adult please and there are tasks for those that don't want to venture too far of the beaten track 🙂
If you are coming along (particular if you would like lunch) if would be handy to know before late afternoon Friday.
First Aid Courses
We are looking for some more of our regular volunteers to complete a first aid course.
This one day course is Emergency First Aid at Work with an additional forestry specific element.
Please let us know if you would be interested. 
Massive thanks go to Dorset Peat Partnership for making these courses possible.

Our future dates -
November
Sunday 24th
Wednesday 27th
December
Saturday 7th
Sunday 29th

Dear All,
It's here already!
Come and join us this Sunday!
We will be in Cannon Hill North Sunday 27th October from 9am - 3pm ish where we plan to clear some more of the regen from the heath around the mire, open up the viewpoint from Dave's bench and tackle some Rhododendron that is at risk of creeping onto the heath and mire.
We won't be having a bonfire, but for those around at lunchtime there will be sausages (plant based and regular).
Abundant drinks and biscuits supplied as always for a weekend task.
Tools, gloves and training supplied.  Sturdy footwear recommended and maybe wellies if you want to work nearer the mire.
Although we will be working on the mire, we are approaching it from a different angle and will be basing ourselves in a different location.
w3w  ///revise.chest.gladiator
Easy to find though - from the dog splash, continue up the hill and we will be along the first track on the left.
If coming from Colehill / Bridleway, head down the steep track from the picnic area and past Dave's bench.
As always, come and go as it suits, under 16's with an adult please and there are tasks for those that don't want to venture too far of the beaten track :-)
If you are coming along (particular if you would like lunch) if would be handy to know before late afternoon Friday.

Our future dates -

November
Saturday 9th
Sunday 24th
Wednesday 27th
​
December
Saturday 7th
Sunday 29th

Dear All,
Apologies for the short notice, but due to task leader availability and some logistics issues, we are not able to run the session this Saturday 12th October and on Wednesday 30th October.  We did look for some alternative dates, but alas nothing quite worked.
We do however have another super exciting session booked in Cannon Hill North for Sunday 27th October where we plan to clear some more of the regen from the heath around the mire, open up the viewpoint from Dave's bench and tackle some more Rhododendron that is at risk of creeping onto the heath and mire.
I don't think it will be a suitable site for a bonfire, but to make up for cancelling the other task days, I promise there will be sausages at lunchtime!
Save the date..... and the following ones, as we have plenty of exciting tasks for you :-) 
November
Saturday 9th
Sunday 24th
Wednesday 27th
December
Saturday 7th

Yes there can!!

This Wednesday 25th September Paul and Francis will be leading the team on a task based in the parking areas either side of Uddens Drive (North of A31). Tasks include improving the sight lines to make it easier to cross while using the Castleman trailway and obviously pull out of the parking. They will also be clearing the horse "detour route" used when cars are parked too close to the usual access. Some general tidying up and possibly cutting back some vegetation further along the trailway.
If you are coming along, please be self sufficient for refreshments and due to the proximity of cars, bring along a hi vis vest if you have one (the guys will have some spares as they will be mandatory for any work on the verge or in the carparks). This task runs from 09:30 until 15:00 approximately.

Can't make Wednesday? Then join us on Sunday 29th September!
This is an exciting one, as it is a chance to get a close up look at the transformation on the Dorset Peat Partnership Cannon Hill Mire.....
The contractors have finished flailing the Molinia grass tussocks and have infilled the drains and it is looking very different indeed!
We still have some Pine and Birch regen on the drier slopes to remove, The dry heath areas are great habitat for reptiles and as the wet heath becomes wetter we are keen to maintain these transitional areas. It is not ideal, or really necessary to burn what we are cutting, so we plan to drag it back into the crop trees where possible. Wellies would definitely be advisable, but for those that want to stay in the dry there is still plenty of Rhododendron to cut.
We will be basing ourselves just up the track from the dog splash. 
We will be onsite from 9am until 3pm ish, but as always start and end times are up to you.
Hot / cold drinks and biscuits supplied, but bring lunch if you wish.
We also provide gloves, tools and training.

Hope to see you there or at one of our future dates -  
October
Saturday 12th
Sunday 27th
Wednesday 30th
November
Saturday 9th
Sunday 24th
Wednesday 27th
December
Saturday 7th

Hi All,
As mentioned previously, our autumn volunteer work programme kicks off this Saturday.
We will be in Cannon Hill South (i.e. South of the A31 on Uddens Drive, just up from the Old Thatch).
Our base will be at the first entrance to the woods by the parking area, so you absolutely can't miss us!
/// dialects.remedy.life
SU 05179 00786

Priority tasks include refurbishing the noticeboard, repairs to a picnic table and cutting back the encroaching vegetation along the paths.
There are plenty of other bits to do too, such as a litter pick, so nobody will be underutilised :-)

We will be onsite from 9am until 3pm ish, but as always start and end times are up to you.

Hot / cold drinks and biscuits supplied, but bring lunch if you wish.

We also provide gloves, tools and training.

Hope to see you there or at one of our future dates -  
September
Wednesday 25th
Sunday 29th

October
Saturday 12th
Sunday 27th
Wednesday 30th

November
Saturday 9th
Sunday 24th
Wednesday 27th

December
Saturday 7th

Hi all,
Apologies for the late notice, but unfortunately we will not be able to run our monthly weekday session this Wednesday.
To make up for that disappointing news though, I can confirm our dates up to Christmas!!
 We will be kicking off the programme in Cannon Hill South on Saturday 14th September.
More details to follow nearer the time including location and task etc.

Dates for your diary -
September
Saturday14th
Wednesday 25th
Sunday 29th

October
Saturday 12th
Sunday 27th
Wednesday 30th

November
Saturday 9th
Sunday 24th
Wednesday 27th

December
Saturday 7th
​
They are subject to change, but we will try to stick with them as much as possible.
We may sneak another one or two into December.
We will be updating our list of emergency contacts, so look out for the link in the email we send with details of the next volunteer day.
As a reminder, we start at 9am (9.30am on Wednesdays) and finish at 3pm ish.
We like to be all inclusive and flexible though, so unless stated otherwise, arrival and departure times are up to you :-)
Hope to see you in the woods soon,
Kind regards,

Andy🦎