Old Berkley Golf Club 21st March 2026

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We were back at Boars Hill again, this time working on Old Berkeley Golf Course and Abrahams Wood. We met by the gate in Berkeley Road, with Roger leading us for the first time.



We made our way down to the runnel in the valley, where Rod gave us our instructions. He wanted us to scythe the rushes and rake them up and make dams and shallow pools. The aim is to rewet the area by allowing the water to spread out. This will be good for plants such as the rare ivy leaf Crowfoot.


There wasn't much raking until the scythers had scythed, so he asked some of us to go into Abrahams Wood and cut back the laurel and rhododendron. There is always plenty to do, and the wood, once a private garden, is gradually returning to native woodland. The ground was covered with English bluebell plants and one or two flowers were already out. The wood will be spectacular in a few weeks' time.



Meanwhile, the scythers and rakers were in action


Simon and Philip began to build a dam across the runnel and dig out a shallow pool.


We made good progress, and then it was time for our tea break.


We had found a tree which had fallen across the path in the wood, so Roger went to help Philip and Michele saw it up and move it out of the way.


Work continued on the runnel. We made more dams with the cut reeds and Simon and Philip continued to work on the dam and pool.

Our time to finish, 12.30, was fast approaching. As usual, we had to force the scythers to stop scything, then we collected up the tools and set off up the hill.

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