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.