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
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.
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
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.
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