Tag Archives: westcombe park

Volunteer Morning – Saturday 5th April 2025

Yesterday’s volunteer morning was, yet again, impressively well attended. A large number of committee members, members of the local “Good Gym” and volunteers set to work on the morning’s tasks in warm and sunny weather.

A few weeks ago many young saplings were planted and these all needed to be watered. It was good to see that the soil was still quite moist despite the lack of rain.

It was noted that the pond level had dropped quite a bit from last month. By trimming back a hazel tree, we were able to plant 2 extra silver birch saplings in the space created.

In a small clearing on the upper part of the woodland, nettles and brambles were dug up to allow for grass “plugs” to be planted to create a more diverse flora.

Of course, with the warmer weather and brighter days, we are being rewarded with previously established plants such as primroses magically spreading to new areas.

By digging out brambles, this will allow the more delicate plants to thrive. And, of course, it wouldn’t be the same without our mid-morning coffee and biscuits break!

Finally, the fruit trees in the woodland are starting to come in to flower or they’ll have their buds opening in the next few days, such a delicate site.

Volunteer Morning – Sunday 12th January 2025

Our first volunteer morning of the year saw a large turnout but, wow, it was very cold! The main focus of the day was to plan for the year ahead, using the knowledge from Russell Miller’s site visit several weeks ago.

Topics and thoughts discussed were very varied, ranging from tree removal, coppicing of hazels, planting of more native bulbs and perennials, cutting back of ivy, removal of invasive plants and “tidying” up of deadwood to make it more beneficial to nature.

The accompanying photos show that the previous night was very cold, in places the frost looked like fresh snow! It was definitely below freezing as the pond had frozen over. But, the hazel catkins were in flower and tree leaf buds were present on an elder shrub.

Volunteer Day – Saturday 7th March 2020

Our 3rd event of the year saw another 20 or so volunteers and committee members turn up, as well as new, local residents who had never been to the woodland before!

The main focus was in the mini-glade area, as you walk up the steps towards the main glade. Three sycamore trees were felled to allow for more light to enter the area, in order to benefit the oak trees and hedge plants. The felled trees were cut in to smaller pieces, which will either be used as path edging or for small seats in the glade. Very useful for children to sit and listen to Richard Sylvester’s story telling!

Felled sycamore tree with the trunk cut in to logs

Other activity in this included the preparation of a trench next to the footpath so that school children can plant the hedge saplings in the next few days.

Plant-wise, the snowdrops have finished flowering, but the primroses are going strong, and the bluebells are also growing well. The Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum) are also growing well and spreading nicely. This native British plant is common in woodlands and other shady areas.

Lords-and-Ladies, a very good woodland plant indicator species

Finally, the bees were rather quite early in the morning, but as the morning advanced, a little activity was seen, although later in the morning, around midday when the temperature had risen, you could see them flying around the hives.

Our pear trees (see photo) are starting to come in to bud, see photo below. Let’s hope this year’s fruit crop is as good as last year’s.

One of the pear trees starting to come in to bud.

Volunteer Day – Sunday 2nd February 2020

This morning’s event was another exciting and very productive session, with around 2 dozen existing and new members turning up.

As always, the removal of invasive bramble and ivy took place, with lots of help working in the “mini-glade”, on your left-hand side as you walk up the steps towards the main area. A large 8 foot high and wide buddleia was removed. While good for butterflies, it’s an invasive plant which was swamping the planted bluebells.

The enourmous buddleja that was threatening to swamo the local area has now been removed!
Volunteers tackling the buddleja plant

Also removed was ivy around the bases of trees and putting up of new bird boxes.

Removal of ivy on trees
One of the many bird-boxes, now cleaned and ready for new tenants!

The bees in hive 1 were “a hive of activity” (every pun intended!!).

Bluebells were looking good, and snowdrops were nicely in flower. Primroses were discovered under ivy and were expanding their range; plants for free! And a foxglove was also found which hadn’t been planted, exciting stuff!

Emerging bluebells
A single foxglove, which should be in full flower in several weeks from now
Committee member Rich Sylvester coppicing hazels.
Snowdrops in flower. These are now starting to be established.

In the area near the entrance, hazel coppicing took place.