Woodland Park

 The Woodland Park Community Group, Bursledon, Hampshire, UK.

Recent activities

Saturday 12th July. Completion of spreading of woodchips on the muddy sections of the Woodland Park footpath. The woodchips were kindly provided by Shawyers tree surgeons, who had been doing work for Eastleigh Borough Council on Pilands Wood recreation ground.

Sunday 11th May 2008. A scheduled workday to replace the one that was postponed from 27th April. The weather was a complete contrast, a really hot day with shade from the trees being welcome. Volunteers kindly brought some plants to improve diversity around the glade. Some fritillary, snowdrops and wild garlic amongst other things have been planted. We also dug out some of the mud from the boggy section of path at the top of the boardwalk. We installed two large sections of 'U' shaped clay pipe, along with various pieces of road kerb and other rubble to improve the water flow. All materials were found on site - woodland park is a rich source of materials for recycling! A productive morning thanks to the hard work put in by the volunteers.

Sunday 27th April 2008. The planned volunteer event was cancelled on the day due to a heavy thunderstorm. It was felt that working under trees in such weather might be ill-advised.

Monday 24th March 2008. Planted some wood anenomes and native bluebells in the wood at the east edge of the glade. These were kindly produced by Margaret Lord. The plants had been rescued from some land that was about to be developed. The ground was extremely wet - no watering in was required!

Sunday 16th March 2008. Some vandalism was noted today. The downstream footbridge (at end of boardwalk) has been attacked with an axe or similar implement. Some damage to wooden handrails. Not a safety issue yet. The railway sleeper footbridge across ditch at north end of glade has been ripped up. The sleepers have been replaced.

Sunday 17th February 2008. A bright, cold morning after an overnight frost. All the committee members were there along with John Prinn, who is always supportive of local events. We continued cutting back brambles and laurel between the glade and the stream. We also did a bit of drainage work, trying to improve the boggy section at the edge of the glade, near the start of the boardwalk. A broken fence rail in the approach to one of the footbridges was replaced. The next workday was set for Sunday 27th April.

Sunday 13th January 2008. In spite of a doubtful weather forecast, the morning was dry. A hard core of regular helpers turned out, and we made progress at clearing the brambles between the glade and the stream. We also removed some rotten or dangerous branches overhanging footpaths, and collected rubbish. An informal committee meeting was conducted to deal with correspondence and future work.

Sunday 4th November 2007. A splendid sunny autumn day for the work party. A good number of volunteers attended, so that we were able to complete the two intended tasks. One was planting of wildflower seeds and plants to improve diversity in the glade. Some plants and seed were kindly donated, some seed was gathered this summer from the Gt Down Park meadow. The second task was moving the material from the illicit wooden building, constructed in the wood from items stolen from a local building site. Eastleigh Borough Council has kindly agreed to take the stuff away, it is now piled near to an access point for the lorry. Thanks to everyone who attended, many hands make light work. Update Wednesday 7th November. EBC StreetScene removed the stuff on Monday morning. They were amazed at the size of the pile.......so were we!

The 2007 AGM took place on Friday 28th September at Pilands Wood Centre. The annual report for the past year can be viewed under documents, accessed from a link on the home page.

Sunday 26th August 2007. Scheduled volunteer workday. A splendid turnout of helpers regular and new. Good to see some younger people helping and taking an interest in the wood. Much credit is due to Margaret Lord's recruitment drive. The brambles and nettles encroaching on the glade were cut back, rubbish collected, and some tree damage cleared up. Thanks to all who made a contribution to this workday, especially those who came from adjoining areas.

Tuesday 10th July 2007. Visit to site by Dennis Garratt and David Mallard from Hampshire Wildlife Trust. Met with Margaret Lord and Andrew Chesshire from the Woodland Park Group. The Trust is advising us on increasing the wildflower diversity in the glade. A report now received on appropriate species to plant that will suit the conditions. They also kindly sent some red campion seeds from the local area for autumn planting.

Saturday 16th June 2007. It was necessary to make repair to one of the handrails leading to the downstream footbridge and boardwalk. Someone had seen fit to saw through it. Repaired with a metal strap above and below.

Sunday 3rd June 2007. Early summer volunteer day at Woodland Park. All the committee were present, we collected rubbish and cut back briars and branches overhanging paths. An informal meeting was held to agree a date for the AGM (see coming events).

Monday 2nd April 2007. Litter pick and fly-tipping removal day at Pilands Wood rec, organised by the local PCSO's. Though not a Woodland Park event, it is included here as activity is in the same local area. Much rubbish was collected by the volunteers, sorted at the scout hut, and removed by Eastleigh Borough Council.

Sunday 25th February 2007. Early spring volunteer day. To clear rubbish and cut back some more of the invasive laurel at the back of the wood. A well attended event which produced a generous pile of mixed rubbish, as well as letting more light into the area of rampant laurel.

Sunday 12th November 2006. A scheduled volunteer day, mainly intended to be rubbish collection. Several bags full were collected, and the boardwalk swept clear of leaves and broken glass. A major blockage of fallen tree, tyres, garden furniture and miscellaneous rubbish was removed from the stream. A good effort by all the regulars who attended.

Friday 30th September 2006. The Group's AGM was held at Pilands Wood Centre. The annual report can be viewed here. The committee thanks all those who attended.

Monday 18th September 2006. Using a hand scythe, the encroaching bramble and coppice growth in the glade was cut back. The summer having been quite dry there has not been significant grass growth in the glade, and it is probably not necessary to machine cut it this autumn.

Monday 19th June 2006. A routine inspection walk through the wood. The site of our last rhododendron removal operation has become a bit of a picnic site. Some rubbish was collected. Several of the large cedar logs have been assembled here and attempts made to burn them, with some success. A wrecked bicycle was removed from the board walk and added to the scrap pile near the footbridge leading from Acorns to Hungerford. A low stump forming a trip hazard in the path across the glade was cut off flush with the ground. A black wheelie bin was removed from the stream, and as much of the scattered rubbish as possible put back in. It was left at the bottom of Foundry Crescent - hopefully it will find it's way back to the right place.

Sunday 19th March 2006. We continued with the reduction of laurel and rhododendron at the back of the wood. Quite a large area was cleared, thanks to a good turnout of volunteers. The resulting branches were used to create a dead hedge on the northern boundary. A good supply of litter was also collected. Thanks to everyone for their hard work.

Sunday 15th January 2006. A morning work party was held to start cutting back the invasive rhododendron at the back of the wood. A good amount was felled, and the stumps treated with Glyphosate to discourage regrowth. A sack of rubbish was collected, though it was noted with pleasure that the rubbish situation was better than it has been. Thanks to everyone for their hard work, and to the committee for participating in a meeting held 'on site'. Next workday is Sunday 19th March, see 'coming events' link above.

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Coppicing work

Coppicing work in 2004 (click to enlarge)

The photo shows some of the earlier coppicing work between the glade and the stream. The felled alder are now sending up new growth from the stumps.