Blog by Sally. Photos by Julio, Margaret, Michele and Sally
We returned to Boars Hill on another sunny morning, to work on Jarn Mound, off Jarn Way. This is a site owned by Oxford Preservation Trust and over recent years we've been working with their consultant ecologist, Rod d'Ayala, to help restore the site to its former glory. Sixteen Green Gymmers turned out, led by Kevin.
Rod led us to the foot of Jarn Mound, where we set up base. We could see that he had been busy with his brush cutter and we were asked to rake this up and clear overgrowing vegetation from the steps that lead to the top of the Mound, as well as along the footpath, so that it was more welcoming to visitors. Rod instructed the group on the tasks that he wanted us to do, which also included making a start with clearing vegetation from both sides of the adjacent bridleway between Jarn Way and Ridgeway, so that it was wide enough to conform with the recommended width to allow two horses to pass safely through.
Jarn Mound was created by Sir Arthur Evans in 1931 to provide a viewpoint for the dreaming spires of Oxford and its surrounds. Unfortunately, trees have since grown up which now block the view, but it is still fun to walk up the top.
The scythers set up their scythes. Jim remained to clear the bramble from the area at the base of the Mound and along the fence line, whilst others cut back vegetation from near the fence to form a dead hedge using loppers and saws. Another group raked the cut bracken and bramble from the Mound, whilst Carolyn and Lesley started to cut back vegetation from the steps to make them more approachable.
Margaret, Rosie and Sally made their way to the bridleway and started scything back the overgrown vegetation, mainly bramble, from both sides of the track, aided by Michele and Kevin initially who helped with clearing up the cut vegetation and cutting back anything beyond the capability of the scythe blades. Rod checked on progress periodically. The cut vegetation was added to the dead hedge on the other (Mound) side of the fence, which Roger, Carol, Susan, Ursula and Rhian had been working. This will form a good habitat for over-wintering invertebrates.
Rod briefs the group
The overgrown steps
The Mound before clearing
Jim scything at the foot of Jarn Mound
Taking the long view - Rhian and Dieuwke clear away the remnants of the cut vegetation at the base of the Mound, whilst Carolyn works on clearing vegetation from the steps
The overgrown bridleway at the start
Kevin and Michele clearing the cut vegetation, while Rosie and Sally scythe along the bridleway, with Jarn Way in the background
Jim joined in on scything along the bridleway. He soon cut back the bracken to reveal one of the original round "Oxford Preservation Trust" signs on the fenceline
Ursula lops vegetation, while Margaret sharpens her blade, as Rhian and Michele rake and Kevin looks for another pile of cut vegetation to pitchfork into a habitat pile - the bridleway begins to look more like its old self
Taking a welcome break in the dappled shade
After break, Julio and Simon recommence raking the cut vegetation from the slope on the other side of the steps
Carolyn takes up her rake for the next phase of clearing!
Lesley removing overgrown vegetation from the steps
Roger, Dieuwke and Susan clear the freshly cut blackthorn, bramble and bracken from the Mound
Rod and Simon clear the lower side of the Mound ...
... and afterwards!
Rod uses some of the raked material to form a bund, which will help the area retain water once we get some much-needed rain. The Mound is formed of sandy soil and the long term view is to encourage more of the heathland plants to colonise it - there are already some gorse bushes and a broom on the slope.
Meanwhile, whilst all that work was going on the slope and around it, work continued on the bridleway, heading towards the Ridgeway
Clearing around the gate that leads from the bridleway to Jarn Heath. The overgrown vegetation had rendered the gate unusable so we scythed the vegetation (mainly bramble) and used this to form a dead hedge to encourage pedestrians to use the gate again and stick to the path
Light at the end of the tunnel - Kevin and Michele reach the Ridgeway at the other end of the bridleway! We made it!
From left to right: Rosie, Michele, Margaret, Ursula, Rhian, Kevin and Carol next to the cleared gateway and newly formed dead hedge along the fence line.
Walking back to the Mound along the cleared bridleway
Carolyn and Lesley looking very pleased after their hard work - and so they should!
The cleared steps and Mound
The cleared slope of the Mound
Some of the litter we found, which we took away to be properly disposed of/recycled. Given that we are in drought conditions, it was important to clear away any glass that we found. One of the bottles we found (not shown here) was an old bottle with a dimpled neck. The stopper for this would have been a marble and, although we looked for this, did not find it - probably long-since gone.
View from the slope - The cleared area at the base of the Mound and the bridleway on the other side of the fence
View from the Bridleway after our ministrations - what a team effort!
A Robin's pin cushion - a gall that forms on roses caused by an insect
One of the roses next to the steps of the Mound
Rod thanked us for our efforts. The Mound team had done a terrific job of clearing the slopes of vegetation from the slopes, steps and the pathway leading to it and the Bridleway team had, against all expectations, cleared both sides from Jarn Way to the Ridgeway to widen it, which was very satisfying. We left the site feeling as though we had done a good morning's work.
Comments
Post a Comment