This was a new site for us - however, it is not far from our usual work locations at Boars Hill, and it is also owned and managed by the Oxford Preservation Trust. Jarn Mound was laid-out in the late 1920s and early 1930s by famed local archaeologist, Sir Arthur Evans. It consists of an artificial mound, 15 metres high, which was originally constructed to enable breathtaking views over to the city of Oxford in one direction, and the Vale of the White Horse in the other. Significant tree growth in the intervening decades has obscured much of these views, yet the structure remains impressive, and the steps to the top are still in place. Around this main feature are wild gardens, including rare plants and shrubs and many stone steps, benches and rockeries. Session leader, James, had visited the site earlier in the week with Andy Gunn from Oxford Preservation Trust, in order to discuss what work was to be done. The overall aim was to begin restoring the gar...
Blog by Eleanor, photos by Kevin and Eleanor Only ten Green Gymmers came to this session at Old Berkeley Golf course, next to Abrahams Wood on this cold and occasionally drizzly morning, but we were joined by Richard, an Oxford Preservation Trust volunteer, so that made an extra scyther. We made our way down to the bottom of the field, where Rod d'Ayala briefed us on the task. The aim is to rewet the area by building dams along the ditch so the water will spread out across the field. Rod briefs us on the task Rod instructs Simon The dam While the scythers set to work scything the grass and rushes, a task which we had last done in August, the rest of us moved the piles of cut bushes down to the ditch where Simon spread them out. We then had to move the existing heaps of cut grass and rushes and place them on top. Carrying a load Kevin moving a load Carolyn and Dieuwke with a drag sheet Working by the ditch When we had moved the existing heaps, it was time to rake the vegetati...
Blog by Sally, Photos by Eleanor, Julio and Sally Despite the dull, grey inclement weather on Saturday, 8 February, 21 people turned out to volunteer at Oxford Preservation Trust's adjoining sites at Old Berkeley Golf Course and Abraham Wood, Boars Hill, including new member, Clare, two volunteers from the Chilswell Valley site, Richard and Denis, and Simon who is one of the OPT volunteers. Eleanor was our leader for the morning and she explained that one group of people was needed to clear holly seedlings and remove encroaching vegetation such as bramble from the paths in the Wood and also any straying bamboo from neighbouring gardens, whilst the other group would be working under the guidance of Richard Newton, who is the Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire's Flora Guardian for the ivy-leaved crowfoot, which is a diminutive plant favouring shallow pools and can easily get crowded out by the much bolder rushes. This is the only site in Oxfordshire where i...
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