Here is Jonathan’s message
Greetings All,
There’ll be a volunteer session at Fairfield Orchard, Fauna and Flora this
Saturday morning, May 13th, commencing at 10.00am and continuing until
1.00pm, or thereabouts.
Your presence will always be welcome.
On the agenda for this time:
* Strengthen the bund around Alder Pond, making good some cow damage.
* Clear overgrowing vegetation around the soft fruit circle.
* If necessary, trim back along the Pads footpath to keep open for
pedestrians.
* Check over saplings in Pony Wood and extension. Any which are dead make
a note of the species and mark the spot for replacement next winter.
* Plant woodland and meadow plants donated by Fiona Sturgess.
* Plant out purple ramping fumitory from Keith in the wildflower plot.
* Sow wildflower seed from Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust in the
wildflower plot.
* Cut back the trees growing by the road in Aldcliffe Road.
* Remove the self seeded willows growing adjacent to Flora Ponds.
* Remove the self seeded birch in Upper Sowerholme and the Hay Meadow wet
areas.
* Trim back around the shallow bank edges of ponds and scrapes to increase
wildlife access.
* Block the access near Lucy Brook where the cattle are getting in to the
brookside.
* Move the fallen wall stones from the Towneley entrance to a secure
location.
Meanwhile in scything news, we have just one place left on the Scything
Course to be held on June 17th and 18th. If you’re interested please
contact Ian on or phone him on 07811 970
595.
And that’s about it for now,
Best wishes,
Jonathan.
Here is what we did
The Saturday volunteer session saw only 9 volunteers attending on a damp but improving morning.
• We cleared overgrowing vegetation from around the fruit circle.
• Planted woodland plants from Fiona Sturgess in Pony Wood (Woodruff, primrose, wood anemone, betony.
• Planted cowslips from Fiona Sturgess in the Fauna wildflower plot and the Hay Meadow. (NOTE the purple ramping fumitory from Keith are not ready due to the dry weather and may not be available this year).
• Also in the Fauna wildflower plot we sowed wildflower seed from the Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust. Thanks to Oliver.
• The trees growing by our wall in Aldcliffe Road were cut back (more to do).
• Self-seeded willows around the ponds in Flora Field were dug out.
• A large rock, exposed by the ploughing, was moved to the edge of the sown area of Flora Field (needs to go further).
• The access points alongside Lucy Brook where the cattle are gaining access to the stream area were wired off.
• Self seeded birch and willow in the Hay Meadow wet area were dug out, more to do.
• The fallen wall stones at the Towneley entrance were moved to the shed for safety and security.
• A large log which had been moved near the Towneley entrance and was blocking a path was moved to a more secure and safe area.
• Nettles, brambles and other obstructions were cleared from around the children’s orienteering posts.
So, despite small numbers, a very productive morning.