Wed 26th April 2017 - West Wight Sports Centre, Freshwater. GG # 682.

Terry's Photographs.

This week it was time for Green Gym to give the West Wight Sports Centre gardens a makeover. First problem (for most of us) is actually getting there…… the West Wight area is rather remote…so best to pack sandwiches and a flask for the long journey ahead..! Having driven out there the next problem is to try and find street parking or pay up for parking fees at the centre. The parking attendant was not too happy about our coned-off work area but, once assembled, we were given our task for the day which was so very simple "Just do what you do every year!" The team were soon spread around the whole site in an attempt to make the whole place look like Kew Gardens in about three hours. The pictures above show beautifully the scope of the work we undertake here and the results can be really appreciated (well done Terry!) The catering staff supplied us with tea and biscuits for our break so a big THANK YOU to them. Although the weather remained dry, the northerly wind was rather chilly. Fortunately the rain, hail, snow, thunderstorms as predicted by the weather forecasters failed to materialise (although there was a flurry of snow flakes in the West Wight during the afternoon!). 

Wed 19th April 2017 - Bully's Pit, Brading. GG # 681.

Terry's Photographs.

Pre-session briefing.

Off we go….

Clearing the new Downs "motorway"

Tumbling tumble weed?

Dealing with some of the more troublesome growth.

Perhaps we will be building steeps here soon?

All ready for pedestrian traffic.

Tea break (the seated guy, centre rear, had an extra long break!)

Working in the old chalk pit.

Wall Brown butterfly

Holly Blue butterfly.

Mark's Photographs (of the walk)

A new venue for Team Green Gym this week, the old chalk pit, known as Bully's Pit, Brading. After a bit of a problem with the access gate (two lock but only one key…!) we were soon tackling the jobs that had been assigned. The main job of the day was to rake-up all the cuttings where a new footpath had been cut through from the pit to the downs. This had been mechanically flailed which leaves all the arising scattered everywhere. I think that the photographs above will show the improvement we made there…! Opening this up will make access to this pit, from the downs, much safer - the alternative is to walk down the main road which has no footpaths. Those Team GG members who were unable, or unwilling, to tackle the steep approach to the new path were gainfully employed working in the main chalk pit. As this area will occasionally have the grass cut now, it is important that all the large chalk lumps are moved to the side. As per usual there was a litter pick with particular attention being paid to the considerable amounts of broken glass. The weather was pleasantly sunny but with a keen easterly wind blowing.

On completion of the session, a number of GGmers went off on a circular walk around Brading, taking in the wonderful views.

Many thanks to Terry and Mark for taking the photographs this week (like the butterfly ones Terry!).

Wed 12th April 2017 - Martin's Wood (The Bee Fields) Newchurch. GG # 680.

Terry's Photographs.

Details of the venue.

Pre session briefing.

Down amongst the cherry trees.

Beautiful spring blooms.

Cleaning out tree guards.

That's what you call a scrape…!

Taking a well earned break.

Just a few of the tree guards that were

removed from the bigger trees.

We seem to visit this venue about the same time each year, just when the daffodils are in full bloom. We were tasked to continue the work we have been doing to create ground scrapes, which will encourage the numerous bee species in this area to set up home. For full details of this site please use the following link Martin's Wood | Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust . Besides creating new bee nesting areas we helped to remove some of the old rabbit guards from the more established trees and cut back any areas of bramble that were starting to flourish again. We were delighted to hear that the number of different varieties of bees seen in this area continues to grow - perhaps due to our efforts over the previous years? The session started with overcast sky but eventually the sun started to shine through.

Many thanks to Terry for taking the excellent photographs this week.

Wed 5th April 2017 - Northwood House, Cowes. GG # 679.

Terry's Photographs.

Part of the team start on the Bay tree stumps..

while the others set off for the tennis courts.

The grass had encroached over the tarmac pathways -

by a considerable margin…!

The latest Green Gym apprentice - Gizmo.

Just look at that perfect edging.

All those Bay tree stumps were dug-up and the

holes back filled, then re-turfed over.

Toby's Photographs.

This week we were back at Northwood House to assist the team of volunteers who make such a wonderful job of maintaining the house and gardens gardens. As so often with our sessions, the team were split into two working groups….. one dealing with rampant Bay tree growth and the others clearing turf from the pathways that surround the tennis courts. Both teams had some backbreaking work - the Bay roots were DEEP and the grass that was removed had to be wheel-harrowed some considerable distance to the composting area. It was a beautiful spring day and a real pleasure to be working in those magnificent grounds.

Many thanks to Terry and Toby for taking the photographs this week.