John Roper

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:

1. Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie
2. 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.

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:

1. Local Nature Reserve – Leader Andrew Beattie
2. 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

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 – 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.

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

1. Cut down necessary perennials and shrubs plants etc
2. Cut Hellebore leaves off
3. Cut down ‘full stop’ area on North East corner of the Dell
4. Plant 2 new holly trees
5. Continue planting new epimediums
6. 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
7. Move foxgloves where there are too many
8. Jenny needs support to weed and maintain the wild flower beds on the North Bank
9. Colin has ferns to be planted in the tanked bed, and further fern transplanting and weeding.
10. Rake the leaf drop for storage on the compost heap.

Soft Landscaping tasks – specified by Harry Ward

1. 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

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.