The first volunteer day this year took place last Saturday. Despite the rather damp, overcast weather a dozen or so people came throughout the day, some to volunteer, others just to take a look around.

At the end of last year, using volunteers from Barclays Bank, a small area was cleared, ready to allow for the beehives to be sited, just south of The Glade area. The photo below shows our new installed and very well camouflaged shed, next to the area where the beehives will be sited.

Equipment shed for our bees

Tim Barnes clearing leaves from the flower area

The newly built pond, looking very healthy

As always, there’s the usual tasks of weeding, removing leaves from the grass area, checking for any storm damage and general maintenance. The pond that was constructed last Summer is looking very healthy and has a good water level as can be seen in the above photo.

Two extremely heavy half-trunks from one of the Robina trees were moved to the glade, where later this year, they’ll form new seats. Nigel Duncan’s video on our Facebook page shows just how heavy they were to move!

Half trunk of Robinia, ready to become a bench

Donald Albrecht and oak sapling planting

Bluebells planted late 2016

There was planting of oak saplings, as shown by Donald Albrecht in the above photo, ready to plant a tree. Bluebells that were planted just several weeks ago are already starting to appear in places. Areas where they were planted have been marked, so that we can monitor and maintain these area. Once again, it promises to be another exciting year!