Wednesday 26th March 2025 - Little Appley Wood, Appley Park, Ryde GG #1023

 Terry's photos

A handmade gate discovered in the undergrowth - hopefully it can be re-purposed

This week we were back at Little Appley Wood, Appley Park – last visited on 12^th February.  We were assisting Tony Gillingham, IWC Tree Officer, in maintaining this small woodland.  As in February, evergreen trees were felled and the resulting material incorporated into the dead hedge.  The dead hedge was also extended to the west as material was cut from the side of the track.  After the chilly start the day warmed up and layers of clothing were shed.

Thanks to Terry for the photos.

Wednesday 19th March 2025 - Los Altos Park, Sandown GG #1022

 Terry's photos

Mark's photos

Whips in their moisture retention gel

Finally, at the end of the hedge line at the top of the hill

Pollarded holm oaks

Another week and another new site!  This time in Sandown in Los Altos Park, somewhere a lot of us had heard about but not visited.  This is sited behind The Heights Leisure Centre and is surrounded by development.  The Sunshine Trail and the railway are on its western boundary.

We were working with IWC Tree Officer, Tony Gillingham and his team to create a transition between the parkland and the woodland.  This consisted of two rows of whips (immature hedgerow plants) planted a metre apart along the southern edge of the central woodland.  Hundreds of whips have been provided by the Woodland Trust and were a mix of species. 

Team GG got to work with spades to dig small holes for the whips.  Fortunately, the soil was soft and friable which made the job much easier.  We worked our way up the hill, with another group behind planting the whips with a third group then surrounding the whips with woodchip mulch.  The left over whips will be planted at other sites in forthcoming weeks.

While we were working on our hedge line, Tony’s team were planting eight mature trees on this southern park area.  A huge amount of work has been done in the northern part of the park where holm oaks have been pollarded and new trees planted – see 1^st link.  This work will make the park lighter, safer and encourage a wider diversity of flora and fauna. However, it has caused a bit of controversy with locals – see 2^nd link.  As we know, nature will have its way and in the medium-long term the park will reap the benefits.

Essential tree safety works to begin at Los Altos Park

UPSET OVER STATE OF SANDOWN'S 'EMPTY AND BARE' LOS ALTOS PARK - Isle of Wight News - Island Echo

For further information on the history of Los Altos Park –

Sandown Parks & Open Spaces | Enjoy Nature, Trails & Play Areas

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Update re GG-er Phil – for those who don’t attend regularly you may remember we sent our best wishes to Phil as he experienced health issues at the end of November 2024.  I am pleased to report a small group of us met up with him after the GG session and he is making a great recovery and hopes to rejoin us in a few months’ time.

Thank you to Terry and Mark for the photos and pertinent links!

 

Wednesday 12th March 2025 - Old School Meadow, Gurnard GG #1021

Site map from Grow Gurnard

The dark green area is the SANG (see below) and the pale green area is Grow Gurnard

Terry's photos

Huge quantity of rotted woodchip

Rotted manure and more woodchip in the centre of the site

Alpaca fleece

Moving the form to the next area

Today we were helping the Grow Gurnard project in Cockleton Lane.  The site we were on is adjacent to Old School Meadow last visited a year ago.  Meadow View Park Development own the land and after building 400 homes nearby, they are obliged by planning to put in 2.5 km of permissive pathways and 6000 native trees as "rewilding".  Grow Gurnard is a community project that now manages part of this site, with the remainder designated a SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace) - see link below.    

Over the last weekend, a large number of whips had been planted along the boundaries and one of our tasks was to put spiral tree guards around them.  Further to the north of the site, fruit trees had been planted and we were asked to surround each one with wire to protect against rabbits and the local dog population.

However, the main task of the day was to create vegetable plots.  A wooden form had been made which ensured that the beds were the same size.  A no-dig approach has been chosen, so initially a large quantity of cardboard was laid down on top of the grass.  Then layers of old, rotting woodchip, well rotted manure, alpaca fleece (all locally sourced) and then a further layer of woodchip were laid down within the form.  On completion of the bed, the form was then lifted and moved to the next spot and the process repeated.

What is a SANG? Q&A with Joe Heath - The Land Trust

Thank you to Terry for the photos and to Jane Popov, Project Leader, for the flapjacks.

Wednesday 5th March 2025 - Flowers Brook, Ventnor GG #1020

 Terry's photos

Mark's photos

Today we re-visited one of our most popular sites – Flowers Brook, Ventnor, working alongside the team from Ventnor Enhancement Fund.  We were last here in November working alongside the stream.  However, today we were all over the site.  There was a team clearing the Russian vine which grows on the bank next to the pool.  This is also known as ‘mile-a-minute’ which describes its vigour and invasive abilities.  A few GG-ers were removing the grass that had grown over the coastal path (known as quartering).  Further west along the coastal path a group was clearing bramble that was overhanging the path.  This had been pushing walkers onto the grass where a worn patch had developed.  Further west, towards Castle Cove, yet another group was cutting back the verge that was overgrowing the path.

When we arrived on site the sun was glinting off the sea and we hoped for a warm morning.  However, the fog rolled in and for quite a while we couldn’t see the sea at all and layers of clothing were put back on.  It wasn’t until the end of the session that the sun came out and the fog retreated.

Thank you to Terry and Mark for the photos.