Today eleven volunteers (which rapidly dropped to eight as our friends with special needs decided struggling through Blackthorn thickets was not for them) set out to comb the banks of the Patchway Brook for Himalayan Balsam.  Following on from last weeks survey which established the brook is pretty clear from the Primrose Bridge to the orchard we established it is also pretty clear from that point to about midway down the ‘pump track’ plantation.   There we found (well actually I found) an isolated outcrop of several hundred plants all of which I hopefully removed.  The southern bank of the brook was then clear to the end of the plantation where we already know there is a large outcrop.

Whilst I cleared the mid plantation section Geoff and Frank extensively litter picked the blackthorn thickets whilst the rest of the gang went down to the lake to continue there to be joined later by the rest of us.

The group was also on the lookout for the swans but there were none to be seen.   However we had a chat with a friendly passer by (and potential recruit) who assured us a pair had been there earlier.  Shortly after this statement two swans did in fact appear from the Stoke Brook.  The cob is a large mature bird who appeared familiar with his surroundings.  Then pen is a much smaller, younger bird who spent some time exploring around the lake.   We were unable to spot any rings at this point in time.   So who knows?

Daveb

Today five brave souls defied the elements to litter pick and Balsam bash from the Savages Wood Bridge revetment (the little bit downstream from the bridge on the motorway side) up to the Primrose Bridge.    Within the revetment we found a deserted (we believe) badger set in the northern bank of the brook.

We collected about three bags of general rubbish, two discarded tree guards and a bike tire.  Otherwise the section was pretty  clean.   There is just one minor obstruction in the stream where a single branch has fallen across at current water level (so it should be clear when the water levels drop).

As for the balsam, six plants were all we found, just enough to know it is actually above ground.   Certainly close inspection of previous hot spots showed no sign of growth yet  . Early days of course but reasonable hope that the section is substantially clear.

So all in all reason for optimism in several areas.

Next week we will continue to search for signs of Balsam, this time at the orchard and on down the brook.

Dave

What a day!   We were supposed to be clearing the Patchway Brook upstream from the Savages Wood bridge.  But the recent weather has left the brook in spate, deep, fast and dangerous and the litter soaking wet.

So we switched to continue wood chipping footpaths.   But when we got to the wood chip piles the footpaths we had previously covered needed redoing so we did that first and then addressed the quagmires in Savages Wood (we absolutely must hard core the southern section of the wood).

Whilst doing the chipping I was approached by a dog walker who informed me the the female swan at the lake was obviously injured.   She had contacted the RSPCA and they were on their way and she had left another passer by with the swan.

I sent a crack team (Sara and Gill) down to the lake.   Sara later reported back to say the RSPCA had agreed the bird had a damaged leg and needed hospitalisation and took her away.  Whilst she was being examined the cob stood close by, not at all aggressive but rather more concerned.

The issue now is - the eggs - will the cob sit or will the eggs just chill and the embryos die?   If they die we will have to remove the existing eggs in the hope that the pen, if able to return, will lay another clutch.   A sad outcome to all our (and the swans) efforts.

Sara will let us know any further news.

Daveb

Today nine volunteers including a local councillor Tom Aditya attacked the tool store. We cleared it out, cleaned it out, sharpened all edged tools (except the scythes) cleaned and oiled tools as appropriate and finally counted them all back into the tool store.   I suggested that Gill might like to tidy the misc. shelf stack and throw out anything damaged, obsolete or just not used.   This she did with such enthusiasm that Sara was on the edge of a nervous breakdown clutching items to her bosom and saying ‘no, no, it might be useful one day, maybe, possibly’.

Next week order will be restored and we will sweep the Patchway Brook from the Savages Wood bridge up to the Primrose bridge so wellingtons will be the order of they day.

Daveb

Today twelve volunteers paid our second and final Spring visit to Ram Hill Colliery.   We removed clay and rocks, moved the current rock piles and prepared the  dram wall for re pointing.

Unfortunately there was a sad accident.  One of the guys from the Special Needs Centre (the appointed carer no less) missjudged the trajectory of a rock and substantially wounded the wheelbarrow.  It was our oldest barrow and possibly the plastic had become brittle over the years.   It is still useable albeit in a restricted form.

Next week tool maintenance.

Daveb

Today six volunteers visited Ram Hill Colliery to help Dave Godden prepare the main dram way wall for re-pointing.   As always it was an enjoyable day on what is increasingly becoming a most attractive small archaeological site.

So enjoyable in fact that we will be going back again next week.

Daveb

Today seven volunteers set out for the Community Orchard. We were later joined by  Sara and an extremely well behaved Beau and Tom Aditya who’s name you may recognise  as one of BS’s Town Councillors.  Sadly at the same time Dominic and his carer had to leave.  So still leaving a net group of seven to complete the task of clearing around the bases of the trees in the orchard.   As a bonus Tom was able to paint the carved wooden seat with Norway Oil so a good job done there.

Next week we are off to Ram Hill for earth removal and wall re pointing.   With the absence of Quentin goes the absence of his van so additional transport will be required.

Daveb

Today Thirteen volunteers (nice to see Mary again) travelled ‘off piste’ to Davies’ pond on the Jubilee Field on our annual Big Clean Up visit.  We cleared the pond and litter picked the surrounding area.   Amongst our trophies was a fridge freezer intact except for the door, rubber matting, wire mesh and half a dozen sacks of litter.

We also treated the carved seat with Norway Oil.

Even with all that we still finished early enough to retire to the Three Brooks to say goodbye to Quentin who is moving down to Wellington.   Quentin has been part of BSGG since day one and will be sorely missed.

Next week we will be at the Community Orchard clearing around the bases of the trees.

Daveb

Today ten volunteers litter picked the southern edge of Savages Wood and around the Leisure Centre.  In total we amassed fifteen sacks of rubbish and two big buckets of glass bottles!

Next week we will be taking a look at Davis’ pond, clearing out the small amount of rubbish that has accumulated there.  This, like this week’s work is to tie in with SGCC’s Big Spring Clean.

Daveb

Today eleven volunteers (welcome John and Sean (Shawn?) laid wood chips along the path from the ‘parish ditch’ bridge to the surfaced path leading from the metal bridge over Patchway Brook to Bradley Stoke Way,

Then we laid wood chips through Bowsland Plantation from said surfaced path all the way to Bowsland Meadow.

Then we laid wood chips from the ‘parish ditch’ bridge into the southern path around Savages Wood.

Then we ran out of time with wood chips in hand to be laid in a couple of weeks time when we will have a spare moment.

Then we went home.

Next week litter picking along the southern edge of Savages Wood first inside the perimeter and then outside and then around the Leisure Centre.  This will be our contribution to this years big clean up exercise.

Meet at the tool store at ten where gloves, sacks and litter pickers will be handed out.   One challenge we may face is the removal of shopping bags from up in the trees.  If successful in this the BS Town Clerk will be exceedingly grateful.

Daveb