Progress Report 2022/23
SUMMER ACTIVITIES:
MS & CM hosted the Thames & Chilterns in Bloom judges in July and showed them around The Copse and Joel Park.
AUTUMN/WINTER ACTIVITIES:
A full season but lost three WPs due to bad weather (1x Sat, 2x midweek) hence overall statistics are down slightly.
WORK PARTY STATISTICS:
There were 11 Saturday work parties equating to 190 ‘person mornings’ and an average turnout of 17.3 members.
There were 10 midweek work parties this season equating to 72 ‘person mornings’ and an average turnout of 7.2 members.
The average figures are slightly up for Saturday WPs (from 16.7) and slightly down for midweek (10.2).
The number of active members was the same as last year with 35 recorded over the season. We also welcomed six new faces this season, one of whom was a DofE youngster.
We were also assisted by the ladies (and gentleman) from the Newbury Building society doing their community volunteering.
PROGRESS MADE:
In terms of overall progress 14 of the 18 jobs identified for the season were completed.
(Some “woodwork” jobs to be completed when conditions are dry in the spring/summer)
We undertook four main projects this season, those being:
1. Laying of the Reading Road hedge
2. Eradication of yellow archangel in compartment 2b
3. Complete coppicing of compartment 2b
4. Begin coppicing compartment 1b
Many maintenance jobs were also carried out:
MS & CM hosted the Thames & Chilterns in Bloom judges in July and showed them around The Copse and Joel Park.
AUTUMN/WINTER ACTIVITIES:
A full season but lost three WPs due to bad weather (1x Sat, 2x midweek) hence overall statistics are down slightly.
WORK PARTY STATISTICS:
There were 11 Saturday work parties equating to 190 ‘person mornings’ and an average turnout of 17.3 members.
There were 10 midweek work parties this season equating to 72 ‘person mornings’ and an average turnout of 7.2 members.
The average figures are slightly up for Saturday WPs (from 16.7) and slightly down for midweek (10.2).
The number of active members was the same as last year with 35 recorded over the season. We also welcomed six new faces this season, one of whom was a DofE youngster.
We were also assisted by the ladies (and gentleman) from the Newbury Building society doing their community volunteering.
PROGRESS MADE:
In terms of overall progress 14 of the 18 jobs identified for the season were completed.
(Some “woodwork” jobs to be completed when conditions are dry in the spring/summer)
We undertook four main projects this season, those being:
1. Laying of the Reading Road hedge
2. Eradication of yellow archangel in compartment 2b
3. Complete coppicing of compartment 2b
4. Begin coppicing compartment 1b
- An additional 12m section of the Reading Road hedge was laid. Slow progress due to the neglected nature of the hedge which was last laid in 2003. Additional hazel and hawthorn was planted along the laid section.
- LR lead the yellow archangel bashing team and successfully completed the task in compartment 2b.
- Coppicing of the eastern/lower section of compartment 2b was completed. Brambles were cleared and additional hazel whips were planted. Large elders were pruned to head height. The canopy of large holly trees was lifted.
- Good progress was made coppicing compartment 1b. Many poles & binders were harvested and an extensive dead hedge was constructed. The canopy of large holly trees was lifted. A number of small hazel whips were also planted.
Many maintenance jobs were also carried out:
- Both of the laid hedges along Jubilee Avenue were trimmed. The Bermuda Triangle hedge was repaired with some new poles & binders.
- The recently planted hedge alongside the Bermuda Triangle was “weeded”.
- Scrub was cleared from alongside Connaught Avenue.
- Some brambles were bashed in compartment 3 (alongside compartment 1b) and some large hazels coppiced.
- A very large hazel was coppiced in compartment 7a.
- The lower footbridge was repaired/re-made using plastic planks and scalpings.
- The young oak trees on Holt Lane were pruned.
- Four English oak trees were planted under suitable gaps in the canopy in The Copse.
- Leaves were blown from the main paths by MS over several sessions.
- The info board adjacent to the playground was repaired (new top rail fitted)
- The annual nest box survey was carried out (see separate report). Two additional wooden nest boxes donated by Ian Hydon were installed.