Wed 13th Dec 2023 - Munsley Bog, Godshill. GG # 962.

 

Terry's Photograph.

The Troll that Paul Sivell was constructing during the session....! Amazing.

It was Munsley Bog for the last GG session of 2023. A lot of the work we have done here in the past has involved site clearance and mending the board walk. This time it was nice to see that the site was well cleared and.... yes, as can been see in the photographs above, a whole new board walk has been constructed! There was still plenty for Team GG to get stuck into, particularly in the overgrown areas on the edges of the site. It was a rather overcast day but it did remain dry, which recently is a real bonus...! After the session many of the Team were off to the Griffin Pub for the annual Christmas Dinner.

For those who are interested, Phil will be doing one of his walks next Wednesday, I am sure details will be promulgated by email sometime soon. Mark did mention that the first session of 2024 will be at Pig Leg Land, Ryde, on the 3rd of Jan. Keep an eye on your emails for confirmation of details.

Thanks to Terry for his photographs this week and many thanks to him, Alison and Mark who have contributed to this blog throughout the year...well done. And a BIG thank you to all of Team GG for all the hard work achieved during the year 👏.

Wishing you all a wonderful time over the holidays and all the best for 2024. 

Wed 6th Dec 2023 - Session Cancelled.

 Alison's Note.

As most of you know, GG was cancelled today.  However, a few of us met at the store to try and sort out some of our tools. We got on quite well and most items now have an attractive green blotch painted on them to indicate GG ownership.

We have also been donated four candles! (The old jokes are the best.) See pic.

Many thanks to Alison for the note and photograph.

Wed 29th Nov 2023 - Merstone Station. GG # 961.

 Alison's Photographs.

Mark's Photographs.

Alison's Editorial.

This week we were at Merstone Station working with Gift to Nature.  We were asked to help tidy up the site.  There was long grass to be scythed at either end of the site and around the orchard on the far side of the platform.  An overgrown hedgerow of bramble was cut back and the edges of the platform were cleared.  Some of the cut material was used to build a hibernaculum.  The cut bramble will be chopped up mechanically and used as a mulch.  Again, another good turnout and a lot of work was achieved.

Many thanks to Alison for her editorial and photographs this week and to Mark for his photographs.

Wed 22nd Nov 2023 - Fort Victoria, Yarmouth. GG # 960.

Terry's Photographs. 

Alison's Editorial.

This week we were at Fort Victoria, Yarmouth.  As can be seen by the excellent photos we were asked to clear two of the large beds which had become completely overwhelmed by their plants but also by ivy and bramble as well.  The plan is to replace the planting with more appropriate coastal plants - thrift, sea campion, sea holly, sea aster and sea lavender (there is definitely a theme here)!!  Some are still seeds so patience will be required. The arisings were burnt on a fire within the picnic area.  The boundary of the picnic area was also cut back and a litter pick was undertaken.

In contrast to recent weather conditions, we had a fabulous morning - dry and clear with a cool breeze.  This encouraged a considerable turnout and 3 new people joined us.

Many thanks to Alison for the editorial and to Terry for taking the photographs.

Wed 15th Nov 2023 - Flowers Brook, Ventnor. GG # 959

Terry's Photographs. 

Alison's Editorial.

This week we were at Flowers Brook, Ventnor, helping the Ventnor Enhancement Fund team.  We were asked to help clear the banks of the brook as the greenery had got out of hand.  In the spring, they hold a fundraising duck race and therefore need to be able to see the ducks!  A considerable amount of bramble was also removed from the facing bank.  We were fortunate enough to enjoy a beautiful warm sunny day and this encouraged a good turn out.  As can be seen by the photos we made quite a difference.

 Many thanks to Alison for the editorial and Terry for the photographs, nice to see good weather for once...!