Short back and sides

The reserve was treated to a major clear-up by the Tuesday Stroud Valleys Project Group before the worst of winter.

The edges were scythed, long stalks of the perennial wild flowers cut and the green waste and leaves raked and piled on the compost heap. 

Brambles along the Northern hedge were cut well back.

The Western side of the reserve was made more accessible, and the undergrowth reduced around the community apple trees (which will be pruned in a few weeks time).

Self-seeded alder and willow along the edge of the pond were either removed or pollarded. There was an immediate benefit from increased light. Colourful new shoots will grow in the Spring. The golden corkscrew willow is now looking resplendent.

The cut branches were added to our brushwood pile, but may be used next year to make a ‘dead’ hedge on the West side for the benefit of beetles and birds.

Pygmy and other pond weed and rotting detritus were pulled and raked from the pond and left on the side for a week before composting, to let any mini-beasts, ramshorn snails and other small creatures (inadvertently caught) return to the water.