Old Berkeley Golf Course, Boars Hill - Saturday 23rd August 2025

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 Blog by Eleanor, photos by Julio and Sally

We met on Berkeley Road, just above the old golf course, which is next to Abrahams Wood, another of our work sites, and affords a fine view of Oxford. It was another mild, sunny morning, which was lucky for us, although we are in great need of some rain. 

Old Berkeley Golf Course, owned by Oxford Preservation Trust




The volunteers assemble



View from the top


We walked down the hill with our tools, much further than we had in the past. right to the far corner of the site. Adrian briefed us on the tasks which Rod d'Ayala, who manages the site for OPT, had asked us to do. Basically, he wants to rewet the site (with rain, whenever that happens). there is normally a runnel down the valley, but this had completely dried up. We could see by the rushes that this area is generally fairly wet. To this end he had asked us to scythe and rake up the grass and to cut back branches and scrub along the edge of the field.

Adrian gives a briefing





The site before




Raking up grass and rush








Making a heap




Here is a photo Sally took of creeping thistle with galls made by the larvae of the Urophora Cardui fly. This fly, less than 1 cm long, has wings with a striking wavy pattern.

Galls on creeping thistle


Some of us armed ourselves with saws and loppers and set to work cutting back the scrub and overhanging branches.

Working along the tree line hedge








James versus a tree



A slightly early tea break




Jim makes the most of a heap



We carried on working, and were able to finish a bit early.

Packing up time. Rakes against the heap





Rows of hay heaps




After photo



We made our way back up the field, hoping that Rod would be pleased with our efforts. Now all that's needed is some rain.

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