Dry Sandford Pit - Saturday, 1st August 2026

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Blog by Eleanor.  Photos by Julio and Sally

It was yet another warm, sunny Saturday when we met in the car park of Dry Sandford Pit, a former sand quarry, which is managed by BBOWT.


A marsh helleborine with its seed pods

A reed gall, often called a cigar gall because of the way the leaves are wrapped around the egg

Roger, who was leader, briefed us on the three separate tasks we had been asked to do. We also welcomed a new volunteer, Fei.

One task was to clear bramble and sprouting sycamore in the area by the entrance gate. 
James, Ursula, Carol and Fei chose the task by the gate.
Working by the gate

The main one, which most people chose to do, was to scythe and rake up the reeds on the fen and remove any sprouting alder trees.
The fen


Sally scything and Kevin removing the cut reed

Half way there

The third task was to clear vegetation from in front of the cliff faces. The sandy cliff faces contain many fossils, dating from the time when this area was a warm, shallow sea. Now, it was certainly warm, but unfortunately, there was no sea left to take a dip in.

Most people went to work in the fen, which left Roger, Carolyn and Eleanor to clear in front of the cliff face.
Eleanor clearing scrub from the cliff face

Roger by the cliff face

By break time it had become very hot and some people took advantage of the shade by the cliff face. 
Break time
The annual picnic the following week was announced, and Carolyn, armed with her notebook took down promises of food and drink donations.

During the second half of the morning, we were visited by Oliver, one of the regular monthly Dry Sandford Pit volunteers. Their work party was on the following day and they were planning to carry on with the scything and raking in the fen.
After
12.30 was approaching and Roger called on the scythers to stop scything. We packed up and made our way back to the car park.

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