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Researching and Restoring the Danesbury Victorian Fernery

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You are here: Home / News / Notice of Work Parties – Thursday 17th October 2019

Notice of Work Parties – Thursday 17th October 2019

12th October 2019 By John Roper Leave a Comment

Objectives

We will operate two Working parties:

  • Local Nature reserve – Habitat Management
  • Fernery Garden – maintenance and some excavation

Weather Forecast – Long Range

Sunny Intervals and a moderate breeze.

Nature Reserve – Habitat Management

Andrew Beattie will lead this group which will start working in the new area identified by Chris James at the South East corner of the Fernery Field, and described last month.

The area of land between the start of the Public Footpath behind Clock House Gardens and the Fernery Field cattle fence, is owned by the Borough Council and for many years has been undeveloped scrub and grassland.

Earlier this year Maydencroft stripped the area of long standing brambles and scrub in readiness for management of the area and bringing it under control.

It is expected that volunteers will start planning and shaping the area to encourage wildlife, and better use and enjoyment of the space.

Fernery Gardening Group

The Fernery Team led by Harry Ward has been busy over recent weeks in ad hoc groups working on pressing tasks. Details of some of these tasks are included in the Report of the 19th September Working Party; they include opening the Parsons zigzag planting bed, and positioning and planting the recently installed Oak logs on the East Bank.

Tasks for Thursday 17th October are expected to include the following:

  • Planting ferns and weeding with Colin and Sarah.  
  • Working with Jenny on the wild flowers beds.  
  • Raking leaves and twigs off the grass banks and paths. 
  • Work on the north slope; cutting out areas of terram where the mulch has washed away, and infilling with soil and mulch. 
  • Starting to excavate the newly exposed South Bank around the terracotta brickwork to establish its depth and possibly uncover another Parsons bed with a hard base and drainage.  

Meeting Place – both Work Parties

All volunteers should meet at the Fernery at 9.30 am where the leaders will allocate tasks and distribute tools as appropriate for the two working parties. Volunteers are asked to decide before arriving which of the two working parties they would like to join, as this helps the 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.

Filed Under: News, Work Parties

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Copyright © 2022 Friends of Danesbury Fernery (FODF). Non attributed photography by John Roper.