New Year Work Morning
We didn't go around the mulberry bush on a very cold and frosty morning in January but we did cut back a lot of bramble from areas where it was encroaching on trees and other plants that coming through. As a result we created a large pile for a bonfire. Keeping the bramble in check is a job that needs to be done early in the year before birds start nesting.
Christmas refreshments were then served. We hadn't been able to enjoy these in December as planned, owing to Storm Darragh.
October Work Morning
The October work morning was held early in the month and focused on preparation for next Spring. Three hundred snowdrop bulbs were planted under the hedge by the path at the end of the Orchard, promising a fine display next February.
In addition Yellow Rattle seed was sown under the trees in the Orchard where the grass has been cut and collected recently. The Yellow Rattle will suppress the growth of grass in the Orchard next Summer allowing wildflowers to thrive there. Lastly, some wildflowers were planted in the Flowerbed adding to the nectar rich plants already there.
September Work Morning
The Orchard Team made a real impact on the grass that Gloucester City Council had cut two days previously.
The Pond Team removed lots of vegetation from around the pond. This means that a future work group will be able to enter the pond safely and remove some of the Reed Mace that would fill the pond if we let it. No one got wet and they were treated to a flying display by a resident Dragonfly.
November Work Morning
The November Work session focused on maintaining access to the Park and Arboretum as wet winter weather sets in. The path in the Park alongside the Chapel was swept and raked to gather up the debris that falls from the Giant Redwoods.
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The Weir path in the Arboretum stretches from the Wildlife Pond alongside the brook to the gate and a considerable number of barrow loads of wood chippings were offloaded there and raked to cover the path and keep it mud free and accessible to buggies and wheelchairs. Our hope is that everyone can enjoy a walk around the Park and Arboretum whatever the winter weather throws at us.
Pond Clearing
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Our Chair Ron, our Treasurer John and Graham from the Committee spent a sunny afternoon clearing Reed Mace from the Wildlife Pond whilst it is free of hibernating creatures as will be the case as winter approaches.
Work on the Flowerbed
A small working group spent an afternoon in late Septmber tidying up the flowerbed. One of the main tasks was digging up a Viburnum in the centre of the bed and replacing it with an Abelia.
