Our new programme for Winter 2020/2021 has just been published. A downloadable pdf version can be found here: https://groups.tcv.org.uk/abingdongreengym/files/2020/11/GGWinter2021.pdf
We are currently looking for new session leaders! All necessary training will be provided. Please contact us for further information or speak to a session leader/committee member at any Abingdon Green Gym session.
Two Pines Fen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Frilford Heath Golf Club was the venue for yesterday's re-scheduled Green Gym session. We work here with Natural England (the government's adviser for the natural environment in England), who are happy for our socially-distanced work parties to go ahead during the current lockdown period. Their operational update regarding activities during the ongoing coronavirus situation can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/operational-update-covid-19
Sally took on the leadership duty and instructed the 15-strong group on the jobs to be carried out after we had assembled at the ground-staffs' compound. After completing the signing-in form and the risk assessment, we set off for the fen, a short walk to the end of the nearest fairway.
The principle task involved raking up reeds that had already been cut during previous sessions and those that were cut during the morning. These were then stacked in piles by the track at the edge of the fen for later collection. As some of us raked, a trio took up their scythes - leader Sally, Adrian and new member (green) Jim. In addition, shoots of new willow or alder growth were lopped back and added to the brash pile at one end of the fen.
We have worked on this site for a few years now, but it requires quite a lot of attention at the moment following a period of relative neglect after the first lockdown. Our sessions here have previously been held during the week since it lies squarely within an active part of the golf course and the increase in flying balls on a busy Saturday morning can be a real hazard! Since the course has had to close for the time being, now is the ideal time to get our work completed safely. It is also of sufficient ground area that a reasonably-sized group can spread out and work in socially-distanced manner.
As we progressed, we found numerous golf balls amongst the reed bed. A collection of around 100 had amassed by the close of play!
It was apparent that despite our many hands and our good work rate, there was no way that we would be able to complete the task within the allotted time. Especially as there is a secondary area of reeds that also requires attention on the other side of the main track. Not to worry - we will return here again next Saturday to pick up where we left off and may have an all-day session, though this is yet to be decided!
-Andrew
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| Sally's leader's speech. |
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| The tool arsenal. |
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| The 'before' picture. |
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| Distancing during the break. |
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| A snowy waxcap mushroom. |
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| A patch of sphagnum moss on the fen. |
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| Balls! |
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| More of the golf ball haul. |
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| The two pines. |
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| Sally scythes. |
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| The 'after' photo. |
This session gave us the opportunity to finish off the wood chip path and plant spring bulbs and wild flowers. There were seventeen of us, which was lucky as there was a lot of work to be done.
Two big heaps of woodchip had been delivered, though at the opposite end of the path to where they were needed. Fortunately, we had two wheelbarrows on the go, with teams to load, transport and rake.
We chose two spots within the wooded area to plant our spring bulbs – wild garlic, wood anemones, wild daffodils and fritillaries, varieties which we chose because they will flower before the nettles take over. First, the areas had to be cleared but it was easy to pull up the nettles as the ground was very soft.
We also had decided to plant and sow wild flowers close to the river bank. We chose a spot near the first bench which was fairly clear of nettles and would get a reasonable amount of sunshine. We sowed a wild flower mix, and planted some ox eye daisies and violets as well as some wild daffodil and fritillary bulbs.
That was the more interesting work but there was the inevitable litter picking, which Lesley and Marga gallantly took on.
We had out tea break in our usual spot, which was very sociable, but somehow not the same without communal flasks and shared biscuits.
We set to work again and the woodchip path was just finished when it was time to pack up and make our way back to the car park.
-Eleanor
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| Barrow loading. |
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| The path renewed. |
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| Raking the path. |
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| Bulb planting. |
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| The litter pickers. |
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| Tea break. |
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| Woodchip barrowing. |
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| Choosing a spot for the wild flowers. |
Having taken advice from our parent organisation, TCV, we will continue with sessions during the lockdown period. This will be in accordance with revised COVID-19 guidelines and includes additional controls. We are therefore amending our current programme accordingly.
The updated programme will be posted to our members, meanwhile, here is a statement from the Chief Executive of TCV to clarify the situation:
https://www.tcv.org.uk/statements-chief-executive/
Despite the damp weather, a good number of Green Gymmers assembled in the playing field car park for our session at Kennington Memorial Field under the direction of Lyndsay from Oxford Preservation Trust. We were also joined by some Kennington residents.
Our main tasks were to cut back nettles and brambles from the banks of the stream which runs along the bottom of the valley and to clear brambles and briars from around the trees to stop them encroaching on the chalk grassland.
We usually look forward to a bonfire on our twice yearly visits here, but Lyndsay said it was too windy. It also proved to be very wet with the rain coming down heavily about half an hour into our session but most people were prepared, with waterproof jackets and trousers.
The rain had eased off a bit by the time we had our break, but there was no sign of the sun. However, we carried on bravely, slashing, lopping, raking and pitchforking for the rest of the morning. Fortunately, we had packed up and were on our way home by the time the rain came down in torrents again.
We look forward to coming back here at the end of the winter.
-Eleanor
Photos by Margaret:
It was a grey and windy-ish day when the GG assembled in the Frilford Golf Club carpark for the session on Boundary House Fen.
It was a good turnout, just short of 20 volunteers. To get to the Fen we have to negotiate round the fairways and golfers to a lower area at the side of the golf course where a drainage ditch enters the course. This ditch is the main focus of our efforts as draining the water from the area is not what we want. Instead we want to flood the surrounding site so that the fen can improve, making the wildlife flourish. Over the years that we have been working this site we have very much seen the fruits of our labours.
