Boundary House Fen - 28th October 2023

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Blog by Eleanor. Photos by Sally and Eleanor.

Eleven Green Gymmers met up in the Greenkeepers' compound for our session at Boundary House Fen. The weather was quite chilly, but the early rain was giving way to sunshine. We distributed the tools between us and set off for the walk to the fen, which is on the edge of the golf course.

Rod d'Ayala was waiting there to give us our instructions. He pointed out the areas where he wanted the scythers to cut reeds. The rest of us had to rake up reeds that had already been cut and move them to make a barrier wall on the edge of the fen and a short outer barrier in an arc. The purpose of these was to hold back the water so that it would only seep slowly on to the fen. We set to work with rakes, pitchforks and drag sheets. The fen was very wet and we had to be careful where we were treading. The sunshine soon made everyone very warm.

At last it was time for our break and we moved to higher ground under the trees. We all signed a card for one of our members who is, sadly for us, moving away. Then it was time to get back to work.

Rod moved the rakers and stackers to a different area and told us to move the older cut reeds there, to continue the barrier wall along the edge of the fen. The water behind the barrier was very clear, with tiny insects skimming the surface. It was hard and muddy work as the old reeds were much wetter and heavier. 

At 12.30 it was time to stop, gather up the tools and make our long weary way, past curious golfers ( they don't know what they're missing!) back to the cars.

Getting our instructions from Rod.




 
Roger scything.




 


Hard at work




Adrian scything





Loading and moving the reeds





Tea break




Raking





Helen and Lesley with a load




A robin oversees our work





                                                           Insects on the water surface



A large area of the fen cleared



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