Working Party. Saturday March 23rd. 9.30 -12.30. Meet in the usual place by the benches just off the main track. This will be the last chance to do ‘winter’ work such as coppicing as spring arrives. If we have not done so already, we will be cutting back the osier willows to do some willow weaving for a new low fence protecting the frog breeding pond. New volunteers always welcome. Break for refreshments at 11am.
AGM Report. Our AGM went ahead as planned on 26th January. Our thanks go to guest speaker Emma Black for telling us about the Dedham Vale National Landscape and the volunteer work that she leads there. We paused for a chat and refreshments. Reports were then made by the chair and treasurer, and thanks were given to all who have contributed to the work of Branchlines this year. The current committee were re-elected and will meet this month to plan for the year ahead.
Update. We have continued to coppice the upper hazel grove, producing stakes and binders which were used to continue the hedge laying. Spare logs went to the habitat piles; please do not disturb these log piles which are a refuge for our lizards, a protected species. The hazel grove will shortly be home to a spreading yellow carpet of primroses and wild daffodils.
I would be grateful for copies of results from anyone who did the RSPB birdwatch at the wood.
David Taylor, chair of Branchlines.
ST. LAWRENCE CHURCHYARD
Working Party. Saturday March 9th. 9.30 – 12.30. Meet in the churchyard for routine maintenance work.
Update. A good session last month. We cleared all the branches from our own hedge work beyond the compost bins. Many thanks to those who helped and to Mick Culham for disposing of the worst thorny branches in a bonfire.
As we worked, a steady stream of visitors came by as they admired the annual display of snowdrops. These flowers enjoy the relative shade of the many fine trees that we have.
Contractors BTS came to cut the back hedge on behalf of UK Power Networks, in order to keep the power line clear.
Grass mowing will be starting soon on the paths and lawn areas and between the gravestones in the new graveyard.
David Taylor
