Blog by Sally. Photos by Julio, Margaret and Sally
On a sunny May morning, we returned to one of our favourite sites, Sunningwell Village, near Abingdon. We had perfect weather for working. We assembled in the Village Hall car park where we met Bob Evans, who explained the tasks that he wanted us to do. With sixteen of us, we were able to separate into those who wished to work in or around the village pond, and those who wanted to work on the village green.
Waders were donned by those who were keen to clear the islands of vegetation as it had become so overgrown, you couldn't tell that there were two little islands in the middle. We had been told to be mindful of any nesting birds and especially the mallards who had raised two broods already this year. Other tasks around the pond involved cutting back vegetation from the pathway at the back and around the spring that feeds the pond, as well as some of the trees, including a lovely guelder rose that had just got a bit too big.
Those who worked on the Green were asked to scythe around newly planted lime and disease resistant elm trees and two memorial trees so that the plaques could be seen, and to scythe the gap in the hedge that runs down the field. We were also asked to clear some vegetation by the stream bank including bramble, nettles and cleavers. Another task was to remove barbed wire from a redundant fence.
As we were getting settled into our tasks, Jim wanted to check his grass blade and managed to clear the tall grass from in front of one the benches, which would also make it easier for the villagers to sit and take in the peaceful surrounds. He then went on to do the same for another bench further up the slope.
Bob briefs the Green Gymmers in the car park
The pond before we started work with its overgrown island and weeping willow
Graham and Roger remove the barbed wire from the redundant fence.
Eleanor and Rosie were joined by local residents, Anthea and her grandson, who helped clear vegetation from near the stream. We always appreciate the villagers getting involved.
Jim scythes nettles in front of the old heap of cut vegetation for easy access
Ursula makes a clean sweep - taking cut vegetation to the heap on the edge of the Green. This will form a good habitat pile for invertebrates to shelter.
Julio wading with a bundle of vegetation from the island - this was put into a heap by the side of the pond so that any little creatures would be able to make their way back into the pond before the vegetation was taken to the heap a couple of days later.
The overgrown pathway leading to the spring that feeds the pond
Rhian with a barrow full of cut vegetation from the pathway behind the pond
Simon and Adrian clearing some of the pond.
It did not seem too long until it was time for break. As it was Graham's special birthday, Dieuwke led a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for him and Eleanor had made a lovely chocolate birthday cake decorated with mini eggs.
Graham's chocolate birthday cake
One of the reasons we love coming to Sunningwell is we get spoiled! We had a veritable feast including lots of homemade cake and the luxury of sitting in Bob and Solti's garden - we are always grateful for their kind hospitality.
Break time!
The spring is revealed
After finishing off around the pond, the next task was to give the weeping willow a fringe trim. Margaret and Rhian worked from the land side near the bench and Julio and Simon gave a helping hand to pull branches down from the pond side to avoid a lop-sided look whilst Margaret and Rhian lopped.
The willow before the trim
Margaret and Rhian working from the land side and Julio and Simon from the pond
Ta-da! The pond and island are now visible from the bench
The planted lime trees having been scythed around. Carol and Dieuwke raked up the cut vegetation which went onto the heap/habitat pile.
Jim and Barbara also scythed around the disease resistant elm trees
Graham and Roger, having cleared away the barbed wire, then set about cutting down the dead tree by the old gate. Bob took the barbed wire safely away as he would take it to the refuse centre.
Having scythed the gaps in the hedge that Bob asked us to do, Barbara carefully scythed around the two memorial trees to reveal their plaques. Dieuwke raked up the cut vegetation and took that to the heap/habitat pile.
Dieuwke also removed guards from the trees on the other side of the hedge that had been planted a couple of years earlier and were outgrowing the guards.
Ursula takes a moment to take in the scenery having cut back the guelder rose
The pond after our ministrations. Having located a mallard's nest on one of the islands, we stopped work here being careful not to cause any further disturbance. No doubt we will be able to return in the autumn to finish off, once the nesting season is over.
The vegetation cleared from the pond by Adrian, Julio and Simon was left at the edge for at least 48 hours to enable any pond dwelling creatures to make their way back into the pond.
It was soon time to start clearing away and finish tidying up with all hands on deck. We said farewell to Bob and Solti and made our way home feeling as though we had done a good morning's work and were very pleased that Graham had enjoyed his special birthday. We look forward to returning in the autumn possibly to do some planting of the Green with native wild flowers, which we were unable to do because of the recent spell of hot weather this time around.
Margaret took the opportunity to collect some of her pottery that had been on display in the Sunningwell School of Art for the Oxfordshire Artsweek festival.
Margaret with her wool bowl and plant pot made by her very own hands.
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