Riverside walk and riverside rest in GOodworth Clatford
If you are able to help with our projects, please ring Kate Savage on 01264 36 52 67 or me on 363 228.
Many thanks
Richard Ryder
Many thanks
Richard Ryder
JUNE 2019 NEWSLETTER
In March we cleared Bridge Bank, the triangular site bounded by the river, The Water Meadow and The Park entrance on Church Lane, with the approval of the parish council. It has been confirmed that Bridge Bank is part of the parish council’s purchase of The Park. The Water Meadow and Bridge Bank have now been refenced.
Once any site has been exposed by removing vegetation there is an inevitable invasion of nettles. These will be cleared again on this month’s task day in Riverside Walk, enabling the natural flora to emerge, and Riverside Haven helping the newly planted willows to establish.
If you would like to help us on Saturday 29thJune, we shall be pleased to see you with protective gloves (!!) in the lay-by in Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
In March we cleared Bridge Bank, the triangular site bounded by the river, The Water Meadow and The Park entrance on Church Lane, with the approval of the parish council. It has been confirmed that Bridge Bank is part of the parish council’s purchase of The Park. The Water Meadow and Bridge Bank have now been refenced.
Once any site has been exposed by removing vegetation there is an inevitable invasion of nettles. These will be cleared again on this month’s task day in Riverside Walk, enabling the natural flora to emerge, and Riverside Haven helping the newly planted willows to establish.
If you would like to help us on Saturday 29thJune, we shall be pleased to see you with protective gloves (!!) in the lay-by in Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
may 2019 Newsletter
We have now cleared the triangular site bounded by the river, Water Meadow and The Park entrance on Church Lane. We shall call this area Bridge Bank for convenience. We were surprised that there was so much vegetation debris, dead and broken branches to clear. The view of the river has been enhanced and we are pleased to see so many young hazel trees growing there as well as bluebells in flower in March!
For safety reasons we shall temporarily re-fence the site with posts and stock wire, anticipating replacing it with a more aesthetic fence in due course.
The Goodworth Clatford Environmental Group’s AGM will be in St Peter’s Room in Church Lane on Tuesday 14th May at 7.30pm to which you are cordially invited. Refreshments will be available before the meeting.
If you would like to help us on our May task day on Saturday 25th May, we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by in Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
For safety reasons we shall temporarily re-fence the site with posts and stock wire, anticipating replacing it with a more aesthetic fence in due course.
The Goodworth Clatford Environmental Group’s AGM will be in St Peter’s Room in Church Lane on Tuesday 14th May at 7.30pm to which you are cordially invited. Refreshments will be available before the meeting.
If you would like to help us on our May task day on Saturday 25th May, we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by in Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
april 2019 Newsletter
Last month we continued to reduce the excessive growth of ivy in Riverside Walk, which will benefit the tree health there.
On the site between the Church Lane bridges we removed the large piles of decaying tree stumps and branches over to the base of the steep bank so that the newly planted pussy willow trees can establish themselves this summer. The new wood piles will provide essential habitats for invertebrates which in turn provide food for our bird life.
This month we shall start work on a new site by the swamp cypress lay-by on the Church Lane double bend. Currently it is an eyesore with piles of sectioned decaying branches surrounded by an unsightly dangerous broken fence. Our aim is to clear and re-fence the small site this year.
If you would like to help us on Saturday 25th April we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by there in Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
On the site between the Church Lane bridges we removed the large piles of decaying tree stumps and branches over to the base of the steep bank so that the newly planted pussy willow trees can establish themselves this summer. The new wood piles will provide essential habitats for invertebrates which in turn provide food for our bird life.
This month we shall start work on a new site by the swamp cypress lay-by on the Church Lane double bend. Currently it is an eyesore with piles of sectioned decaying branches surrounded by an unsightly dangerous broken fence. Our aim is to clear and re-fence the small site this year.
If you would like to help us on Saturday 25th April we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by there in Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
march 2019 Newsletter
Our year started with a successful January task morning in Riverside Walk. Although thick ivy around trees is a good habitat for overwintering insects and birds, it also increases wind resistance which may cause storm damage.
Given some of the Riverside Walk mature trees are in wet ground, we decided to cut the ivy stems around the trunks, which kills the ivy, making the trees more stable. We did not ‘ring’ the ivy around trees in the dryer ground.
Our next planned task day will be on Saturday 30th March to maintain our sites, so if you would like to help us we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by at Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
Given some of the Riverside Walk mature trees are in wet ground, we decided to cut the ivy stems around the trunks, which kills the ivy, making the trees more stable. We did not ‘ring’ the ivy around trees in the dryer ground.
Our next planned task day will be on Saturday 30th March to maintain our sites, so if you would like to help us we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by at Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
FEBRUARY 2019 Newsletter
There is no significant news this month as all the village sites are under control for the start of the year and currently there has been no winter weather damage.
Our next planned task day will be on Saturday 23rd February to maintain our sites, so if you would like to help us we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by at Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
Our next planned task day will be on Saturday 23rd February to maintain our sites, so if you would like to help us we shall be pleased to see you in the lay-by at Church Lane before our 10.00 start.
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December 2018 Newsletter
This year we have successfully replaced our faded 'woodland' interpretation board and re-framed our introduction board in the Riverside Walk. As we do not have a December task day, I would like to thank all the residents who have helped during the year to maintain and improve the village sites which we are looking after on behalf of the parish council, for the enjoyment of all our residents and visitors.
november 2018 Newsletter
For the first time this autumn we have no need to plant additional trees in either of the village sites. We have been pleased with the growth and density of our recent planting which has given the sites a satisfying feeling of maturity.
june 2018 Newsletter
At our AGM last month we were able to report that all three sites in the village were in good order and no major work was anticipated during the coming year. The new Riverside Walk woodland interpretation board has arrived and after some structural repair to the weakened frame supports, the board will be reinstated in the near future.
may 2018 Newsletter
In February I reported that the quilt draw had unexpectedly raised £354, and then a month later I mentioned that we were looking into replacing the badly faded woodland interpretation board. The original artist forwarded the artwork free of charge and the original printers will produce a new board for us for £384, enabling us to reuse the existing frame.
We are very pleased to achieve this result, so thank you again to everyone who contributed to the quilt draw. The quality of boards has improved in the 14 years since installing the first one, so the life expectancy will be greater for the replacement board.
We are very pleased to achieve this result, so thank you again to everyone who contributed to the quilt draw. The quality of boards has improved in the 14 years since installing the first one, so the life expectancy will be greater for the replacement board.
APRIL 2018 Newsletter
In February the final invasion of the brambles in Riverside Rest were cleared allowing last year’s planting of hawthorn, holly and hazel to grow with little competition.
We have seen the completed artwork for the woodland interpretation board from the artist, Greg Poole, which he did free of charge for us. Once we have sourced funding we’ll forward the art work to the printers.
We have seen the completed artwork for the woodland interpretation board from the artist, Greg Poole, which he did free of charge for us. Once we have sourced funding we’ll forward the art work to the printers.
November 2017 Newsletter
The replaced rails and posts on Riverside Walk have blended in well and should need no treatment for many years to come. This autumn we have planned to improve the aesthetics of the lower part of the ramp section by removing the weathered retaining wooden posts on the steep bank, infilling the space and planting some small trees.
We’ll continue to clear the invading bramble in Riverside Rest, by Deep Ford, allowing the recent planting to establish. As these trees grow, the bramble invasion will reduce in time, so improving the visual impact on this quiet part of the village.
We’ll continue to clear the invading bramble in Riverside Rest, by Deep Ford, allowing the recent planting to establish. As these trees grow, the bramble invasion will reduce in time, so improving the visual impact on this quiet part of the village.
October 2017 Newsletter
We are surprised at how much growth there has been on the trees we planted last autumn. We’ll keep the guards on them for the coming year ensuring damage from any grazing mammals is kept to a minimum.
This winter we need to thin the trees we planted in Riverside Walk as they too have grown and thickened more than we expected. This indicates that it is well worth planting our native species, rather than ornamental trees, so encouraging more bird and insect life to these sites.
This winter we need to thin the trees we planted in Riverside Walk as they too have grown and thickened more than we expected. This indicates that it is well worth planting our native species, rather than ornamental trees, so encouraging more bird and insect life to these sites.
September 2017 Newsletter
We have had very favourable comments about the new nature pictures drawn by Year 5 of Clatford School. We are very pleased to have the school involved at Riverside Walk.
Although we had a good team working on the July task morning, there was too much vegetation to clear in one monthly session. It was suggested that we could easily arrange mid-week sessions to continue the work.
Although we had a good team working on the July task morning, there was too much vegetation to clear in one monthly session. It was suggested that we could easily arrange mid-week sessions to continue the work.
August 2017 Newsletter
Whilst we were taming the vegetation in June to clear the hard-core path, we discovered several very young fledglings hidden in the undergrowth. We took care not to disturb them. We also saw more species of colourful moths than we had previously. It is very satisfying that we are increasing the bio-diversity in our small central village site.
JULY 2017 Newsletter
For the first time for many months I can report that in May only routine maintenance was needed on our village sites.
We are fortunate to be able to see a wealth of nature within the village, which is illustrated by the new nature pictures installed in the two display boards in June. These were recently drawn by Class 5 of Clatford School. We appreciate their willingness to produce these pictures which enhance the enjoyment of the walk around the site.
We are fortunate to be able to see a wealth of nature within the village, which is illustrated by the new nature pictures installed in the two display boards in June. These were recently drawn by Class 5 of Clatford School. We appreciate their willingness to produce these pictures which enhance the enjoyment of the walk around the site.
JUNE 2017 Newsletter
In April the replacement of the wooden posts and rails was completed and we are very pleased with the appearance. The entrance gate was rehung and a more effective return spring has been fitted. The hinge was funded by a generous award from St Peter’s Community Coffee Morning fund.
may 2017 Newsletter
I am pleased to report that the replacement post and handrail project was completed in April by Mike Goddard. We are very grateful for all his hard work and enthusiasm. The life expectancy of the recycled material should be more than double that of the wooden predecessors.
Riverside Walk was opened 10 years ago and over this period we have improved and maintained the site for the village despite several unexpected challenges. One problem was the instability of all the mature poplar trees due to excessive winter rain a few years ago. These were subsequently felled.
Last month I had the pleasure of taking some children from Clatford School around the site showing them positive signs of spring. If you have not been down recently do go and see the result of work completed by the team of volunteers.
Riverside Walk was opened 10 years ago and over this period we have improved and maintained the site for the village despite several unexpected challenges. One problem was the instability of all the mature poplar trees due to excessive winter rain a few years ago. These were subsequently felled.
Last month I had the pleasure of taking some children from Clatford School around the site showing them positive signs of spring. If you have not been down recently do go and see the result of work completed by the team of volunteers.
April 2017 Newsletter
Last month we planted more donated bushes in Riverside Walk, in the area between the boardwalk and hard core path. The new gate has been fitted allowing easier access for everyone entering and leaving the site.
The bank restoration at Deep Ford is now complete and has met with the approval of the Environmental Agency.
The bank restoration at Deep Ford is now complete and has met with the approval of the Environmental Agency.
MARCH 2017 Newsletter
For some time we have been hoping to re-hinge the Riverside Walk gate to allow it to open in both directions to help easier access to and from the site. As we have received an award of £50 from the Village Community Coffee Morning fund, we have been able to purchase a suitable self-returning hinge which will achieve this result. We are very grateful for their kind donation.
FEBRUARY 2017 Newsletter
There is no additional news from the village riverside sites but we have successfully worked on the eroded bank at Deep Ford. During the last autumn I received several comments from residents who were concerned about the excessive erosion of the river bank at Deep Ford. The Environment Agency gave us permission to protect the bank by installing a traditional section of willow faggots wired between sweet chestnut posts.
I would like to thank the two residents who sourced and collected the materials from the National Trust at Mottisfont, and then installed the bank protection. The National Trust was very supportive and we do appreciate their help in securing these traditional materials at a generous low price of £40. We are grateful to a resident for donating this amount.
I would like to thank the two residents who sourced and collected the materials from the National Trust at Mottisfont, and then installed the bank protection. The National Trust was very supportive and we do appreciate their help in securing these traditional materials at a generous low price of £40. We are grateful to a resident for donating this amount.
JANUARY 2017 Newsletter
We completed last year’s work on the November task day by planting 50 hedge trees on two of our sites, Riverside Haven, between the two bridges on Church Lane, and Riverside Rest by Deep Ford. These trees were donated by the Conservation Volunteers to whom we are very grateful.
On the Church Lane site the trees were principally dog wood and guelder rose which will give road-side colour throughout the year with their flowers, berries, leaves and stems. On the Deep Ford site we planted indigenous goat willow (pussy willow) on the bank, with hawthorn and buckthorn in the formerly bare areas. The temporary fencing is to prevent damage to the new trees as we have previously experienced problems there. The fence will be removed as soon as the trees are established.
All three sites were also cleared of autumnal debris from the paths and the boardwalk.
We have been attracting a good number of volunteers every month throughout the year and November was no exception.
On the Church Lane site the trees were principally dog wood and guelder rose which will give road-side colour throughout the year with their flowers, berries, leaves and stems. On the Deep Ford site we planted indigenous goat willow (pussy willow) on the bank, with hawthorn and buckthorn in the formerly bare areas. The temporary fencing is to prevent damage to the new trees as we have previously experienced problems there. The fence will be removed as soon as the trees are established.
All three sites were also cleared of autumnal debris from the paths and the boardwalk.
We have been attracting a good number of volunteers every month throughout the year and November was no exception.
