Dry Sandford Pit - Saturday 17th January 2026

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Blog by Eleanor, photos by Kevin and Michele

A good number of Green Gymmers turned out for this session, led by Adrian. There had been heavy rain the previous night, but it had pretty much stopped by the time we met, and the sun was trying to put in an appearance.

The tasks we had been given were to cut back willow in the fen, to carry on clearing vegetation from the front of the cliffs and to clear brambles encroaching on the green open space between the cliffs and the fen.

Adrian gives a briefing


Simon, Kevin, Barbara, Dieuwke and Eleanor decided to venture into the fen. We had to be very careful where we trod, making sure the water didn't come over the tops of our wellies.

Workers in the fen





Dieuwke in the fen


In the background you can see the barrier made of cut willow trunks and branches separating the fen from the rest of the site, which is open to the public. Soon Simon and Kevin were dragging cut willow towards the barrier, where Simon expertly stacked them.

Cut willow on the ground




Meanwhile, the others were hard at work clearing vegetation from under the cliff.

The cliff before work.





Rosie on the cliff




The willow cutters emerged from the fen and we all met up for tea break.





Tea break





Lesley, Joan and Carol with cuttings





The cliff after






The way back to the entrance


We found some fungus on a branch:





.... and snowdrops by the gate

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