The view that greeted us as we parked-up today.
Getting our instructions.
Clearing the central area of undergrowth and litter.
The tea break chat.
One "dead hedge" barrier.
This week we had somewhere completely new to work at, a recently cleared area off the original car park at Blackgang. This is an SSSI area ( sssi-definition ) and will eventually become a picnic site. We were instructed to construct a dead hedge boundary using only materials from the immediate surrounding area, fortunately, there was both sycamore and hazel shrubs nearby so we were able to coppice them. Other tasks included wheel-barrowing gravel around the rather muddy area and cutting back areas of undergrowth. Our numbers were down a little on previous weeks but perhaps people were saving petrol?(in light of the recent fuel shortage). It was a glorious sunny day with a rather stiff breeze blowing.
Mark did mention that next week we will be trying to "mop up" the very last of the Himalayan Balsam in the area adjacent to Birchmore Pond.
Historical Note.
During the session, Alex mentioned that he thought the area we were working on was originally a golf course..! Pleased see attached photos that he has sent on to substantiate his claim.
The original Blackgang Chine is the white building, the building to the
left is the golf club house.
Showing some of the 9 hole course greens
(where we were working today?)
Perhaps the old club house forms part of the modern day
house still adjacent to our work site?
Thanks for sending it in Alex 👍.
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