VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

NEWS

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Butterflies have been seen in abundance at most of our sites over the summer.  As far as we know, we managed to cope with the summer dry spells, and any plant losses have been very small.  We may need to extend our 'water roofs' to capture more water during the 'wet seasons'.

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Damsons and apples have not been quite so prolific this year, but we were able to offer apples to passengers and residents at Bare Lane Station.

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We have received a few enquiries from interested volunteers.

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With the bare-rooted planting season almost upon us, we are hopeful that the Trust for Conservation Volunteers (TCV) will be offering suitable trees this season.

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Our 'perch' seat at Bare Lane is proving popular with some of the regular commuters!

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TASKS  

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1. Sunday 11th October - Hazelwood Farm, Silverdale

This is the time of year when we can cut back many of the plants from the summer months but ensuring we keep those plants with seeds for the birds and enough vegetation for hibernating insects.

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2. Sunday 25th October - Bare Lane Station - am

The spring bulbs have arrived which hold so much promise at this time of year.  This will give us the opportunity to freshen up our station planters.

​Torrisholme Barrow - pm

We need to check all our community trees and particularly the protective cages which may need some repairs.

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3. Sunday 8th November - Mossgate School copse, Heysham

We made a start last winter on thinning and coppicing the copse at the edge of the school grounds which we would like to continue. This is a valuable wildlife corridor and to minimise disruption we are creating a dead hedge from all the cut material.

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4. Sunday 22nd November - Penhale Woodland, Heysham - am

A good time of year to check on the small woodland adjacent to the sheltered housing.  There will be small scale thinning and pruning of the young trees and our usual clearing of the pathway so that the residents can enjoy this peaceful site.  We may also put down some bark chippings.

​Great Wood School - pm

Always plenty to do in the Wood and we will need to carry on thinning some of the groups of holly where they have become too dominant.  We may also give some attention to the Wood extension.

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5. Sunday 6th December - Bare Lane Station

We planted a young hawthorn hedge near the station car park 12 years ago, and it is now ready to be laid.  Quite some time since we have been out with the billhooks so it will be a pleasurable change. 

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6. Sunday 20th December - Great Wood School

A winter warmer in our wood.  Woodland management, bramble thinning, path clearance.  Plenty to keep us warm and chance for a mince pie and hot drinks.  Or will we experience a 'winter heatwave' from our changing climate!

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7. Sunday 3rd January 2027 

Task to be announced at a later date.  Hopefully tree/hedge planting.​

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