Mark's photos
Editorial to be added shortly.
Terry's photos
This week we were back at Little Appley Wood, Appley Park –
last visited on 12th 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.
Terry's photos
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 1st 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 2nd
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
************
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!
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
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.