Abingdon Green Gym Blog

This Saturday we made our annual trip to Kennington Memorial Field to join up with some local volunteers there, working under the guidance of Alison Muldal from Natural England.   We last met Alison a couple of weeks ago at Frilford Heath Golf Club.   Like today, on that session it was a particularly cold morning with some snow flurries, though this time it was thankfully a little drier underfoot. The main tasks this week were to cut back overgrown vegetation in a couple of areas around the field, remove some low shrub growth in the grassy areas and to build a bonfire to burn the cuttings. There was plenty to keep ourselves and the other volunteers busy throughout the morning and a roaring bonfire was soon underway. For the tea break, we retired to the club house, quite a unique experience for the green gym, since we usually take our refreshments outside while struggling to keep warm. Being such a cold day it was therefore most welcome!We continue...

Following the snow and freezing temperatures at Frilford last week, rather more pleasant conditions were observed as we assembled in the car park of the Merry Miller for another session at Cothill Fen this Saturday.  We had sought permission in advance to use the pub car park since our usual parking spot had been fenced-off with some construction works taking place there. We were soon joined by BBOWT session leader, Nicole Clough, who outlined the morning's tasks.  Tools and kit were then carried down the lane to the work site where we established our base before being instructed by Nicole and carrying out the necessary risk assessments. The eleven-strong team divided into sub-groups, some of us transporting the branches from the fen to the area where the hedge was to be laid, others building the hedge itself.  Some difficulties were initially encountered - namely that the ground was very boggy and difficult to traverse and perhaps most significantly that there was a...

Here are a few more photos from our last session at Frilford Golf Club on February 9th - kindly provided by BBOWT session leader, Judy Webb.

It seems as if I was a little premature with my reports of the good weather on Saturday mornings on the majority of the sessions during 2012 continuing into 2013.  As the green gym assembled in the car park of the Frilford Heath Golf Club, rain and sleet fell and waterproof jackets, trousers and wellies were determined to be essential attire.   This was our first visit to this particular site.  We had planned to work here a few weeks previously - on 19th January, however, heavy snow led to that session being cancelled. At the car park, we met with Alison and Judy, representing Natural England and BBOWT and directing the morning's work.  We were informed that the work site - a fen, was situated some distance to the north, and so we moved our cars around to another area of the golf club.  From here we unloaded our tools and began the trek to the site.  It turned out to be a 15-minute walk or so.  On the way, another fen area, designated as a sit...

It would seem that the fine sunny weather, so often observed on Saturday mornings throughout 2012, has continued into 2013.  As the green gym assembled at Abbey Fishponds at 9:30am, there was barely a cloud in the sky. At the Abbey Fishponds reserve, we continued with the tasks that have been ongoing over the past few years.  As always, under the direction of site warden, Marjorie White, we set out on a number of activities to assist with the upkeep of this lovely area.  The green gym splintered into several groups each taking on a different job. Firstly, there was some raking of recently cut reeds to attend to. Also, coppicing of hazel and the weaving of this hazel into some existing fences around the perimeter of the site that required some restoration.  Furthermore some vegetation around the paths required clearing and litter picking was also carried out. A good turnout ensured that steady progress was made on all the tasks and no doubt we shall return in a ...

As has become quite the annual tradition, some of the green gym ladies have been busy making ma rmalade. This excellent-quality preserve will  shortly be on sale for £2.50 a jar. -Andrew The marmalade production line l-r: Margaret, Eleanor, Ursula, Carolyn and Kate