Stonehill House, Abingdon - Saturday, 5th September 2026 (and Abingdon Healthfest Stall)

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Blog by Sally.  Photos by Michele and Sally

After an 8-year gap, we were asked to return to Stonehill House on 5th September to clear the footpath that connects Stonehill Lane with Peep-o-Day Lane and Southern Town Park, as it had got overgrown with nettles and there were some small trees and low overgrowing branches to be cleared.

Adrian was our leader for the session and 16 Green Gymmers turned out on a fine, sunny morning.  We'd been given instructions to park in a field next to the House and the Community Garden, where Adrian briefed the group on our tasks.

Adrian briefs the group

Setting up our base and assessing what needs to be done

Helen makes a start lopping overhanging branches

Roger digging up young poplars which were sprouting in the footpath as others work on both sides of the path, clearing fallen branches and cutting back overhanging ones

Jim scything nettles

Graham and Carolyn clearing branches, some of which would be used to form habitat piles

Adrian using the long-handled pruning saw - cutting along the fence line.

Some of the fallen trees were too large for our bowsaws and require a chainsaw, but we cut them back as far as we could.  

We collected any litter that we found and pondered who the owner of the Georgio Armani knicker elastic that we found lurking amongst the leaves and twigs might have been.  

A welcome break in the dappled shade

At break time, Eleanor, Carolyn and Kevin left us to man stalls at Abingdon Healthfest in the Market Place.  Eleanor was manning the Abingdon Green Gym stall and would be joined by James and Ursula, and Carolyn and Kevin manned the Good Neighbours stall.  We all wished them luck as they left.

Suitably refreshed, we all then returned where we had left off, making our way down the path.

Helen and Henry jointly tackle a large branch

As we worked along the path, we came across a tarpaulin, which made it tricky for us to remove overhanging branches without causing damage to it, but Rosie skillfully manages to do a perfect job

Jim continues scything along the path, whilst Barbara works on the other side of the fence where we returned the branches from their trees

Good progress being made - Roger continues the hard work removing poplar, as Adrian, Graham and Carol clear branches

With some of the cut branches, we were able to make some habitat piles away from the path, which we covered up with cut vegetation.  This should provide shelter for small mammals and overwintering insects.  We heard a green woodpecker as we worked.

One of the residents of the House came to say "hello" to us, which was nice.

Joan and Michele contemplate the end in sight - the gate marks the boundary with Southern Town Park - as Helen and Henry continue raking, forming more habitat piles with twigs and leaves

Barbara and Roger checked to see what's on the other side of the gate

Heading back to base

The cleared footpath

The A-team line up - showing off the cleared pathway
From left to right:  Simon, Roger, Jim, Adrian, Graham, Henry, Helen, Barbara, Carol, Rosie, Michele and Joan

We then made our way back to the field with the tools.  It's always satisfying to leave a site knowing that we've completed the task that we were set.  A good job well done.  Hopefully, we won't leave it so long to return and that people will start to enjoy a walk along the cleared footpath again.

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