Wednesday 21st October 2026 - Swanpond Copse, Ashey GG #1102

 Alison's photos

Getting started....

Opening up the undergrowth

This is how a coppiced stool should look

It was not the most auspicious start to the day – torrential rain that looked as though it would never stop.  However, in true GG tradition, we battled our way to this weeks’ site – Swanpond Copse in Ashey (a new venue for us) which is managed by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT). 

The copse was planted approximately 20 years ago as part of the ‘jigsaw’ planting plan whose aim was to connect remaining isolated ancient woodlands.  A variety of trees were planted in a random fashion, staked and protected with tree guards, and then neglected for the next two decades.   Consequently, the woodland is dense with bramble, there is little light penetrating to the ground and trees that benefit from coppicing are overgrown.

Our task today was to start the coppicing of hazel trees within the woodland.  Two areas were chosen.  We had to clear the brambles so that we could gain access to the trees and then cut them down to a stool.  Ideally, a coppiced stool should be in a low mound shape.  Due to the overgrowth of the wood in many cases, we had to leave tree stumps a metre or so high.  These will be cut down by the HIWWT Rangers at a later stage.

Coppicing is an ancient woodland management tool with many benefits to the environment and wildlife – see link for further information -

Types of woodland management - Woodland Trust

The cut material was laid in dry hedge formation creating a habitat for wildlife at the back of the coppiced areas.  Fortunately, shortly after we started work the rain eased off.  We hope to return to this lovely woodland shortly.

Wednesday 14th October 2026 - Play Lane Millennium Green, Ryde GG #1101

 Terry's photos

This week we were back in Ryde at Play Lane Millennium Green helping the Trustees to maintain this space.  As previously reported, there was an infestation of NZ Pygmyweed in the pond area.  The Trustees had worked hard on one part of the pond to remove all greenery to try and solve this problem.  On the other side of the pond there was a lot of flag iris.  We were asked to dig up some of the irises so that they could be transplanted to other damp areas.  It will be interesting to see whether the pond fills up with water again – due to the dry summer and the springs that feed into the area changing course – the pond is currently empty.

As well as moving iris, we were asked to clear one of the drainage ditches on the site and to cut back bay and bramble.  Bay (Laurus nobilis) is a non-native tree which spreads easily by suckering and its very dense vegetation shades out other preferred planting.

Thank you to Terry for the photos and to Rose (PLMG Trustee) for the biscuits.

Wednesday 7th October 2026 - Bugle Stream, Brading GG #1100

 Mark's photos

Alison's photos

We first visited this venue seven weeks ago and were asked to return to continue with the work helping Brading Town Council to clear the Bugle Stream to prevent flooding. 

The focus today was on clearing the silt from the entrance to the culvert.  This was a really grotty job!  The silt was dug up, loaded into buckets and then tipped into wheelbarrows for disposal in the area where any arisings were stacked.  The metal railing surrounding the top of the culvert has been repaired – we had piled up brambles to try to protect the area and these we were now able to remove. 

GG-ers not involved in silt removal worked further along the stream, digging out sedges and cutting back any other shrubs overgrowing the stream. 

At the end of the session a silver birch sapling was planted just above the culvert.

Thank you to Mark for the photos and to Mrs Garratt for the delicious refreshments.

Wednesday 30th September 2026 - Yarmouth Green, Yarmouth GG #1099

 Terry's photos

Quite rightly, they're very proud of their work

 

This photo has been copied from the blog of April 2018!

A beautiful day at a beautiful venue!  We are very fortunate….  This week we were helping the Yarmouth Harbourmaster with managing the green.  The area we concentrated on was at the corner of the car park where historically there had been a bench with a woven willow screen and trees behind it.  GG had been involved in the creation of the space for the bench and planting of trees there – see link –

Isle of Wight Green Gym - Official Blog.: Wed 18th Jan 2017 - Yarmouth Green. GG # 668.

However, time takes its toll – the bench had rotted away, the trees have grown and become entangled with bramble. 

GG-ers set to with loppers and bowsaws.  All the trees had quite a trim and the brambles were pulled out.  The space was opened up, and all litter was cleared from the area.  The remains of the willow screen can be seen.  All arisings were put into piles for the Harbourmaster’s team to remove at a later stage.

An additional task was that of ‘planting’ a BioTotem (a bee hotel in ordinary language) - see link -BioTotem — Artecology.  This turned out to be quite a job as the ground was extremely hard due both to the chalky subsoil and the hot summer we have had.  After a lot of effort, a deep hole was dug and the BioTotem lowered into it.  It was then carefully wedged into place with hardcore and with the aid of a spirit level the team kept it straight.  Finally, loose soil was compacted around the base.  Success!

Apologies for the late posting of this blog – we have had some technical issues and you may notice it is not showing as it usually does.

Thank you to Terry for the photos.