Brackenhill Urban Landscape Area

Today our main task was to cut and rake the meadow areas, this has the conservation benefit to the grassland plants like meadow cranesbill and birds-foot trefoil by reducing the nutrients and spreading the seeds for next year. We cut the grass using the autoscythe and then raked using wooden hay rakes and moved it with pitchforks. This was a big task as the grass was very heavy due to being wet. We also cut back the hedge along Old Corn Mill Lane, plus controlled the Japanese knotweed and the Himalayan balsam from the pond area, maintained the pathways and collected litter. The site was looking better for the work at the end of the day.

Today we worked with 9 volunteers.

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 When we arrived on site today we decided that the priority for nature conservation was not to thin the ash trees due to the uncertainty of the ash die back disease but to tackle the amount of litter and flytipping that had taken place. We got on with what seemed an endless task and shifted beds, mattresses, car parts, carpets, for sale signs, bags and then there was the litter of which we collected over 20 bags. In fact we ran out of bags and had to get more. Unfortunately we could not shift the burnt out van, but it is reported and will be removed in due course. We collected so much rubbish that the Council Clean Team were not only impressed but had to make two trips. It felt like we worked at Brackenhill Urban “Landfill” Site, but we left the site in a more suitable state for people and wildlife than we found it.

It also left us enough time to repair one section of drystone wall and the team created a nice little wall end which sets us up to repair further sections on future visits.

Today we worked with 7 volunteers.

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For our visit today we thinned trees from an area of path near the factory, these were mainly blackthorn and dog rose so there was a lot of untangling to be done. These were cut to make habitat piles. While this was in progress other maintenance tasks were carried out; some of the missing rails on the Old Corn Lane boundary were replaced and litter collected. Once this was carried out we worked on the Green Lane path; cutting back vegetation, replacing the coping stones on the wall and clearing the litter. Working to maintain the paths will make access around the site easier for the visitors and removing the litter gives wildlife a chance.

Although there was the thinnest layer of ice on the pond it still felt mild for the time of year.

Today we worked with 9 volunteers.

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making a pleacherToday we were clearing litter and hedge laying. We split into two groups and one group went off to inspect the site and find the litter hot spots. The hedge layers first cleared out the hedge line removing, litter, brambles and lower branches. Pleachers were then made which allowed the the tree to be bent over. By using a stake the trees are made to form an effective and living barrier. The cut trees will regrow from the cut stump and provide a habitat which has been severely reduced over recent decades. The other group found more than they expected cleareding fly tipping and litter from many areas of the park.

Today we worked with 21 volunteers.

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attaching the railsToday we worked on the post and rail fence along side the hedge that we finished laying earlier this year. It was pleasing to see that the hedge was leafing up with only a few exceptions. This will provide a really good habitat for wildlife. We replaced the broken and damaged sections of the fence, which involved removing some rails, replacing a few posts and then securing the new rails. After this was completed we had time to go into the site to collect litter and remove Japanese Knotweed that has been growing in two areas.

Today we worked with 11 volunteers.

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Raking the cut meadow. Today we will started ambitious task of cutting and raking two of the meadow areas near Westcroft Road, this will benefit the annual flowers like meadow cranesbill and grasses by reducing the nutrients in the soil and spreading the seed. The area was cut using the autoscythe and then raked by hand. We also removed the area of japanese knotweed near the stream. We collected flytipping, which included 3 shopping trolleys, a bed, television and 40 bin bags, which were collected by the Council.

Today we worked with 14 volunteers.

Click here to see other photos of the day including the shopping trolley revovered from the pond.

The weather was a factor today with a cold blast bringing snow for us. Still a good number of hardy souls turned up for the task and we were able to get out as planned. But the Countryside Service was unable to join us due to the conditions. At site we were able to get warm with the work of cutting back the overhanging willow trees. These have been causing an obstruction for a while and someone had started to cut back in the summer causing all sorts of poor regrowth.  We cut the back the stumps using bow saws to allow the tree to regrow better, then we cut some of the bigger branches to allow more light into the area. At the end of the day the area looked much improved and we could see the wall and the fence line once again.  The timber that we cut was harvested and will be used for making charcoal later in the year. We also had time to collect several bags of litter and connect with a local resident who is a regular site visitor and will keep an eye on the site.

Today we worked with 7 volunteers.

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We did not cut the meadow areas today because of ongoing repairs with the autoscythe. But that does not mean we had nothing to do. We were kept busy tackling Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam, controlling there spread gives the other ground flora a chance to thrive. The hedge along roadside was trimmed, it is good to see it growing well after it was laid. Pathways through the site were cut back and kept open, which makes the site more attractive for visitors. Then we repaired some of the steps and pathways, were the surfacing had been washed down the hill from previous heavy rain. The steps were really awkward to walk on but are now a bit safer.  Plus litter was collected and we had filled about 10 bags by the time we had finished.

Today we worked with 10 volunteers.

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Brackenhill Urban Landscape Area 24th Oct 08We spent the morning clearing litter and fly tipping from two parts of the site. It was really satisfying to clear the stream of tyres and gas bottles and see it running again. One tyre was so big it took five of us to lift it on the Clean Team's wagon. In the afternoon we concentrated on improving the previous work on the steps from the Havelock Street entrance and removing the Himalayan balsam from the edge of the meadow area. We had six volunteers on the day.

See other photos of the day in the gallery