Thursday 19th May 2022 – Notice of work party

Weather Forecast – long range

Management of Work on Danesbury Local Nature Reserve

We operate two working parties on the morning of the third Thursday each month. and we have a Fernery Gardening group which meets regularly, frequently on a weekly basis depending on the level of weeding and watering needed.

The dates for all meetings can be found on the website calendar.

A look back:

Group 2 – Local Nature Reserve – March 2022

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Schedules for Work Parties Thursday 19th May 2022

Volunteers are asked to consider in advance which Work Party they would prefer to join as this helps the leaders organise groups and distribute tools.

Group 1 – Fernery Garden

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All volunteers for Group 1 should meet at the Fernery Shed at 9.45 a.m. for a prompt 10 a.m. start.

Jenny will lead this Group which will continue general management of the borders and beds, seasonal planting, plus any regular maintenance tasks on paths and fencing.

Group 2 – Local Nature Reserve

David Raphael will lead Group 2 which will meet at the cattle corral on the Park Field opposite the sequoia (Wellingtonia) tree at 10 a.m.

The Leaders will collect suitable Team Tools from the Fernery Shed, including the strimmer, rakes and bowsaws, and bring them down to the start point. If you are able to help carry tools please meet the leaders at 9.45 a.m. at the shed in The Fernery.

Mindful that we are still in the bird nesting season, work will continue to focus on habitat management which will include:

• tidying up old hedge cuttings
• cutting back wild roses, blackthorn and brambles
• constructing ‘dead hedges’ with the scrub.

New Volunteers

If you are a new volunteer and not sure where the Danesbury Fernery is located, please go to the website map .

New volunteers will be asked to complete a Registration Form which WHBC will retain confidentially for Public Liability Insurance purposes.

Please make sure that you are wearing boots or other suitable footwear, and gardening gloves, and also bring a hot drink and refreshment for break-time.

Covid-19 Rules and Tools

The application of current rules are the responsibiity of all individuals and groups of individuals.

For this reason, it would be helpful if volunteers continue to bring their own ‘favourite’ hand-tools where they can, in order to reduce sharing and the potential need for sterilisation. Suitable tools might include:

• for the Fernery – trowels, hand forks and secateurs, and
  
• for the Nature Reserve – secateurs, bow-saws and loppers if you have them.

If you have any queries please contact any committee member or

Stop Press – Fernery Open Garden Thursday 30th June 2022

Under the direction of Sara and her Committee, plans are actively being made for the next Open Garden day in association with the Welwyn Festival Committee..

More details will be announced as the plans develop, but volunteers are asked to fix the date in their diaries and to offer help with the many tasks preparing for the day itself, running the show, and clearing up afterwards.