John Roper

Work Parties re-commence

15th July 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

The Borough Council have given us permission to re-commence Work Parties on the Danesbury Local Nature Reserve, but it will take time for us all to settle into new Protocols for safe working, including the necessary sanitisation of shared tools, as well as social distancing.

These protocols have been circulated to all regular Friends of Danesbury.

Notice of Work Party on the Nature Reserve (Park Field) – Thursday 16th July 2020 – a reminder

Andrew Beattie has expressed a wish to stand down as Leader of the Nature Reserve, and tomorrow might be his last. So we are looking for good support.

Team Structure

We can no longer operate a second team in the Ancient Track down to the Codicote Road junction with Danesbury Park Road as we only have one designated and qualified leader available tomorrow.

Andrew has therefore agreed with Chris James that if we do have sufficient numbers to operate two teams, then they should work in closer proximity to each other for safety reasons, and both under Andrew’s direction.

Meeting Place

Volunteers should meet at the Cattle Corral at the entrance to the Park Field, at the top end of North Ride.

Team 1 Starts at the kissing gate by the corral on the approach road to Danesbury house working up to the top of the path, clear low hanging branches as close to the ground as possible, cut back bramble trailers, self seeded hawthorns on the park side of path again as close to ground as possible. All cuttings to be taken to the top (I will bring a couple of jumbo sacks to be filled and dragged up). Tools to be secateurs, loppers and bow saw. If volunteers can bring their own tools this will help although I can sanitise a couple from the Fernery shed.

Team 2 (if there are sufficient numbers) will work on clearing the Boundary Edge path that runs parallel to the entrance road to Danesbury Park, but inside on the Nature Reserve. This is described by Chris James as having ‘some sticky-out bits’.

Safety Issues

Andrew has listed the precautions that we all need to take, which includes the need/preference for volunteers to bring their own (favourite) tools, to avoid the need to sanitise shared tools.

We look forward to meeting you all again.

A Time to Reflect

24th March 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

The Talking has to stop!

On Thursday 5th March 2020 John and Colin gave a Talk ‘Recovering and Restoring Danesbury Fernery’ to the Ashwell Horticultural Society (Chris James’s own). This is turning out to be the last for long time as next month’s scheduled Talk at the Ryde & District Gardening club has had to be abandoned until April 2021, and it remains to be seen if normality returns in time for us to give a scheduled Talk on November 18th 2020 to the St Ives Gardening Club..

It is very sad that many Ashwell members were intending to visit us as a direct result of our Talk but, hopefully, that will still happen sometime in the future.

A photographic story

One advantage of giving Talks is the chance to reflect on just how much we have all achieved in the 4 years or so since we started.

The Volunteers

And a few of the volunteers who will return to work in the Fernery garden just as soon as they can.

17th September 2015

PSB Visit 15.3.18
Mayor Visit 17th May 2018

13th December 2018 Xmas Special

20.6.2019
19.4.18

Notice – All Work Parties cancelled

18th March 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

We have received a directive from Ann MacDonald, the Landscape & Ecology Manager, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, that due to the spread of Covid-19, no more volunteer Working Parties are to operate on the Borough’s nature reserves and gardens for the time being.

From Tuesday 17th March 2020 all work parties must stop until further notice.

Welwyn Festival Open Gardens – cancelled

For the same reason we have been advised that the 2020 Welwyn Festival programme has been cancelled. We will not therefore be holding our planned Open Gardens evening on 25th June 2020.

More bulb planting

9th March 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

As forecast in our Notice of the 20th February Work Party we took delivery of a large order of Spring and Summer Bulbs after the date of the Work Party.

This photo shows 3000 x single snowdrops, 3000 x double snowdrops, and 1000 x aconites, all ‘in the green’ and laid out before planting to enjoy the sun and rain after their long journey.

These were all planted by a group of volunteers who formed an ad hoc working party on Tuesday 3rd March.

The following day the volunteers woke up to the realisation that some 30 trays of 500 Erythroniums Pagodas (dog-tooth violets) had also been delivered, potted up in trays, and ready for planting.

And on a third consecutive day, a smaller group of volunteers planted 500 x cylamen corms.

We cannot wait to see the result.

Report of Working Parties – Thursday 20th February 2020

20th February 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

We had a good turn out of 14 volunteers working on the Nature Reserve, and in the Fernery.

The weather forecast was just about right, and we managed to undertake some good work in cold and gusty conditions before the rains came down at 11 a.m. just as we started to make our exodus.

Work Party No 1 – Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie

Andrew led a team planting 100x primrose plugs along the banks of the Ancient Track, from the kissing gate at the Codicote Road end up to the steps.

Branches and debris that had been brought down by the recent storms were cleared away from the track, and bramble trailers cut back to reveal the daffodils and blue bells which are showing.

Clock Meadow

Time and resources did not allow any work in this area.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden – Leader Harry Ward

Conditions

We are paying the price for not managing to complete the job of clearing all of the leaf drop before the storms and rains came, and the paths are muddied as a result. We need a few dry and warm(er) days to bring the leaf blower back into effective action.

But happily the winds seem not to have done any lasting damage to the trees and shrubs. The two new hollies are surviving despite the immediate attention given them by the resident rabbits.

Planting

The Fernery Garden team focused on planting the 100x primrose plugs supplied by WHBC and the 90x cowslips cultivated by Jenny.

The expected large delivery of bulbs did not materialise; they are now due on 24th February. If the weather conditions are suitable we might well arrange an extra work party to get these planted.

Garden Maintenance

We fixed protective tubes around the new hollies, both of which were showing signs of rabbit chew.

The team continued the arduous task of raking up wet, heavy and muddy leaf drop, and weeding the main flower beds.

Plant report

Despite the grey February conditions, the Fernery looks amazingly attractive, with its promise of more colour and interest to come.

Ferns, bulbs and perennials are recovering around the Fernery, and snow drops are beginning to show their heads on the South Bank. We have not yet managed to count the 10,000 snowdrops that we planted last year.

Notice of Working Party – Thursday 20th February 2020

18th February 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

Dependant as we are on the constraints of the weather, and the number of volunteers on site, we are planning to operate two Work Parties on the 20th February:

Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie
The Fernery – Leader Harry Ward

Weather Forecast- long range

Gusty winds and hail showers!

If we have to call the meeting off this week, then we will publish another date as soon as we can. But please keep Thursday 27th February clear if we do choose to drop by one week.

Work Party No 1 – Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie

Volunteers for the Local Nature Reserve Working Parties should collect the spare First Aid Kit, bow saws, loppers and springy wire rakes from the Fernery shed before moving to the allocated work site.

Park Field – Ghylls Hill – The Ancient Track – Primrose Planting

We have now received a pack of 100x primrose plugs from the Borough Council, to be planted. If resources permit, then we will also continue the work of recent months continuing the clearance of the Ancient Track on the Park Field, and other tasks to be scheduled.

The work area is reasonably sheltered and whatever the weather we look forward to a good turnout of non-gardening scrub-bashing volunteers.

Clock Meadow

The Leader will decide on the day, depending on the resources available and weather conditions, if the Nature Reserve Work Party can be split to allow tasks to allocated in the Clock Meadow on the Fernery Field.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden – Leader Harry Ward

Garden Maintenance Tasks

Last month the Work Party completed many, if not all, of the scheduled tasks, including the planting of 2x Holly Trees.

A few days later, whilst photographing some of the spring flowers which are showing beautifully, we witnessed Alan who had, on his own volition, returned to the site to reinforce the stakes supporting the new Holly Trees to keep them secure in the forthcoming storms. We don’t thank Dennis, but we do thank Alan.

We have taken delivery of a pack of 100x Primroses from the Borough Council which are ready to be planted – whatever the weather!

But we are still awaiting the delivery of thousands of new bulbs which are on order from Lubbe of Lisse, Spalding. We are advised that they should now arrive next week and, if the weather forces us to cancel this week’s Work Party, then we are likely to re-arrange the meeting for the following week, when the ground should be nice and ‘moist’, and just ready for bulb planting.

Soft Landscaping tasks – specified by Harry Ward

Harry will be specifying tasks, which will follow the recent mix of maintenance and soft landscaping.

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. start, where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the working parties. Before arriving, volunteers are asked to consider which of the two working parties they would prefer to join, i.e. the Nature Reserve, or the Fernery, as this helps team organisation.

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a Personal Details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes only.

Report of Working Parties – 16th January 2020

23rd January 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

The weather forecast was just about right, and before a sharp wind from the South blew up, a beautiful clear and crisp morning encouraged a large turnout of 19 volunteers.

Work Party No 1 – Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie

No work was undertaken on the Park Field as Chris James (WHBC Landscape & Ecology Officer) prioritised the work in the Clock Meadow, and this is where a group of 7 volunteers, led by Andrew, set to work.

Clock Meadow

The ‘Clock Meadow‘ is the name we have given to the newly managed area at the Public Footpath entrance to the SE corner of the Fernery Field, behind the Clock House Gardens development.

Worked picked up from last month and continued with more pruning, and the removal of elders and general scrub clearance.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden – Leader Harry Ward

Planting

Harry and Alan, ably supervised by Ann, planted two more hollies on the North East perimeter.

Garden Maintenance

The team raked up the leaf drop, and weeded the main flower beds.

Alan fixed more old branches in position on the North Bank to aid soil retention, and further covered the terram with a mix of soil and bark chippings. Jenny continued planting and weeding wild flowers..

After a well deserved elevenses break the team were able to look back on the dell, which is looking good despite the muddy conditions.

Plant report

Daffodils showing under the Oak on the West Bank

Ferns, bulbs and perennials are already recovering around the Fernery, and snow drops are beginning to show their heads on the South Bank.

Notice of Working Party – Thursday 16th January 2020

13th January 2020 By John Roper Leave a Comment

Dependant as we are on the constraints of the weather, and the number of volunteers on site, we are planning to operate two Work Parties on the 16th January:

Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie
The Fernery – Leader Harry Ward

Weather Forecast- long range

Light rain showers and a moderate breeze, but the rain is forecast not to arrive until 1300hrs!

Work Party No 1 – Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie

Park Field – Ghylls Hill – The Ancient Track – Habitat Improvement

We will continue the work of recent months continuing the clearance of the Ancient Track on the Park Field. We await the delivery of primrose plugs from the Borough Council.

The work area is reasonably sheltered and whatever the weather we look forward to a good turnout of non-gardening scrub-bashing volunteers.

Photo by Andrew Beattie

Clock Meadow – January and successive months.

Clock Meadow is the name we have given to the newly managed area at the South East Public Footpath entrance to the Fernery Field by the Old London Road and behind Clock House Gardens.

Having started and made such early progress with this area Chris James (WH Borough Council Landscape & Ecology Officer) is keen for us to continue to undertake more pruning, and the removal of elders and some cherry suckers.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden – Leader Harry Ward

Garden Maintenance Tasks – specified by Sarah Marsh and Harry Ward

Cut down necessary perennials and shrubs plants etc
Cut Hellebore leaves off
Cut down ‘full stop’ area on North East corner of the Dell
Plant 2 new holly trees
Continue planting new epimediums
Bulb planting – we have a supply of spring bulbs from the Borough Council which need to be planted – the scale of this task might entail further ad hoc meetings Weed out large perennial weeds
Move foxgloves where there are too many
Jenny needs support to weed and maintain the wild flower beds on the North Bank
Colin has ferns to be planted in the tanked bed, and further fern transplanting and weeding.
Rake the leaf drop for storage on the compost heap.

Soft Landscaping tasks – specified by Harry Ward

We have more old branches to fix in position to aid soil retention on the North Bank and further work to cover the terram with a mix of soil and bark chippings.

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

How to find the Fernery

If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.

Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves. All tools will be provided.

On your first visit the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (the Owners) require that you complete a Personal Details Form which will be retained by them for Public Liability Insurance purposes only.

No Voting required to join Our Party in the Fernery on 12th December from 10 a.m.

27th November 2019 By John Roper Leave a Comment

Friends of Danesbury Nature Reserve/Fernery – please note carefully

Our annual Working Party is one week early in December – THE SECOND THURSDAY – to do a bit of work and then celebrate all the hard work we have carried out during the year.

Nature Reserve Working Party – led by Andrew Beattie

After collecting their tools from the shed this Working Party will be working in the (new) Clock Meadow at the South East corner of the Fernery Field. They will continue the great scrub bashing start they made in October which will lead to habitat improvement in the New Year.

The Fernery Gardening Group

Led by Harry Ward this Working Party will continue bulb planting, site clearance and maintenance work, and anything else they can think of. Bridge building will be a month or so away – with more celebrations planned no doubt.

The Christmas Party

At the blast of the Fernery Whistle, all work will stop, tools will be returned to the shed, and the Party will begin.

Good weather Location – in the Fernery

Bad weather location – 6 Roman Way, by kind invitation of Hilary and Harry Ward.

Refreshments

Food and bites

Hilary is producing Sausage rolls and other ‘naughty goodies’
Sue is preparing flap jacks
Sara is baking Spiced Xmas Muffins
Jenny is producing chocolate cup cakes
John has already bought Stohlen (not stolen) cake

Drinks

Hilary and Harry are providing Mulled Wine
Colin is providing non-alcoholic beverages.

Before or After the real one – this Party will be worth a Vote – so please do not miss it!

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Report of Working Parties – 21st November 2019

26th November 2019 By John Roper Leave a Comment

Weather Foretold

The forecast ‘gentle breeze’ was more akin to a ‘strong easterly freeze’.

Those in the Fernery Gardening Group found very little of the usual shelter in the dell, and most volunteers packed up and departed just as soon as the factory whistle blew at 12 p.m.

Work Party No 1 – The Local Nature Reserve

A group of 7 volunteers led by Andrew Beattie were kept very busy continuing the work started a couple of months ago in the Ancient Track. Apart from the ongoing need to tidy up the entry to the track from the Codicote road and clear it to its full length, the prime task was to clear the ground to receive primrose plugs in the next couple of months.

Nettles and brambles were cleared with little help from the strimmer which unfortunately needed endless cable re-loading. Tired elders were lopped, and cuttings were cleared away as much as possible to the top of the banks and out of sight.

Nina raked leaves along the full length of the track, and as the overall clearance work continued the team began to reveal ferns previously hidden.

Lucy uncovered an interesting Hart’s tongue fern tucked in a rotting log that is covered with candle snuff fungus.

The access path from the Codicote road is now clear once again and provides easy access to the track and the Nature Reserve.

Work Party No 2 – Fernery Garden

More work was carried out on the North Bank introducing more logs and old branches to retain the slope.

Harry and Alan worked to further cover the terram with a mix of soil and bark chippings.

Sarah led a team planting some 750 many very large Cammassia bulbs – the cold weather stopped them completing the task.

These giant plants will produce a rich blue bloom in the Spring/summer months.

Jenny with help from Sue and Christine continued the task of weeding and managing the wild flower bed at the top of the North Bank.