Abbey Fishponds - Saturday, 30 March 2024

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Blog and photos by Sally

On Easter Saturday (a first, I think, for Abingdon Green Gym!), we returned to Abbey Fishponds, which is now managed by Earth Trust.  Checking back through the annals, it appears that we were last here in June 2023 - so it was lovely to return.  Unfortunately, Adrian, our leader for the session, had badly injured his shoulder and was out of action, but he was on hand to meet us in the usual spot in Hadland Road and show what needed to be done.  8 Green Gymmers gathered up the tools - an array of scythes, pitchforks, rakes, loppers and bowsaws, as well as the Green Gym biscuits and first aid kit - and made our way around the mound, past the pond and reed area along a very muddy path and over the board walk sections to the "meadow" area where the first flush of nettles and rough grass was showing.  

We set up base under a tree and Adrian showed us what need to be done, which involved firstly removing fallen branches on the areas to be mowed as otherwise these would impede the progress of the scythers and rakers, before starting the first cut of the grass and nettle patches to allow meadow flowers light and improve the biodiversity of the area.  Adrian also asked us if we had time to cut back some willow away from the path to encourage people to stick to the pathway.  He then left Sally in charge of the group.

We found a bit of litter which we gathered together for taking away when we left the site.  Graham took up a rake to remove the small twigs and soon the scythers were able to start cutting.  As the grass was not very high and had formed tussocks in places it did not make for easy scything.  The sun shone through the clouds and we soon warmed up!  As we worked, we disturbed a number of frogs and a smooth newt which were all taken to a place of safety (although some of the frogs weren't so keen at being escorted and were pretty tricky to catch!)  We also counted 4 different species of butterfly - a speckled wood, brimstone, orange tip and comma - although the latter was too quick for a proper id.

At breaktime, Dieuwke passed round some hot cross buns and we also enjoyed some homemade shortbread biscuits from a visit earlier in the week to St Peter's and St Paul's Church in Wantage as well as some mini chocolate eggs.  We were thrilled when a red kite came down and landed briefly in a tree about 10m away.

It was soon time to return to work, with the 4 scythers continuing where they had left off.  Philip, Graham, Lesley and Dieuwke continued with the raking and were collecting the cut grass and putting onto existing heaps, which are habitat piles in their own right.  Lesley and Dieuwke then switched their rakes for loppers and bowsaws to cut back the willow away from the path, which was starting to cause an obstruction.

Philip tried his hand at scything and Sally has made a mental note to organise another scything course!

With an eye on the clock, the scythers were mindful not to cut more than could be raked up - we could not leave the cuttings as this would improve the fertility of the soil and encourage even more nettles, which are nitrophiles - and switched from scything to raking.  

Jim mentioned that it was National Peening Day on 7 April as it had become apparent that the three Green Gym scythe blades were blunt and two were damaged - one had a nasty crack in the cutting edge and another had a few nicks and the cutting edge was bent in a couple of places.  So, with that in mind Jim and Sally fixed a date on Monday, 1 April to get the blades back in good shape.

We packed up the tools and made our way back along the path noting what a great job Lesley and Dieuwke had done trimming back the willow as we went.  We left feeling that we'd all had a lovely relaxed morning and made a good head start on the first cut of the meadow.  We hope the wild flowers appreciate it!

Not quite gathering winter fuel ...

Adrian pausing to chat with Rosie before saying goodbye 
after instructing us on what needed to be done

Dieuwke and Philip picking up branches

Starting the "mow" - Graham raking up after Jim and Margaret

Margaret sharpening her blade whilst Rosie scythes

One of the common frogs we found

Breaktime in the sunshine

Looking at the next area we need to cut

Philip pointing to the smooth newt that he found

... and the area after the cut and rake

Looking back at the meadow




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