Our programme
Planned work sites and tasks until the end of the quarter are shown here. The programme is renewed before the beginning of the next quarter.
As you will see, it offers various useful tasks, over several different sites. The size and scope of the tasks on Thursday reflects the lower number of people expected to attend.
It is always a good idea to check the website as work sites may be changed due to poor weather or work requirements.
Note:
# If the work site is at Chesworth, Owlbeech, Leechpool, Southwater CP or Warnham LNR, please see this page for details of the meeting point.
# We leave the meeting point at 10 am – and aim to finish work by 1.0 pm
16 October 2018 10:00 at Bennett’s Field, Horsham TUESDAY - There is an area of brambles and scrub that we have been asked to help out by cutting back. It is becoming hard for the football club to retrieve stray balls and there is a small area that has been being used as a hideaway by some naughty youths! We will spruce the area up by opening it up and giving it a much needed litter pick in the undergrowth.
Scrub Bashing and Litter Pick
18 October 2018 10:00 at Broadbridge Heath
Bulb Planting
THURSDAY - Adding to the beautiful spring show of flowers in the village.
Exact locations to be decided on the day Meeting point: on the Common at the junction of Old Guildford Road and Broadbridghe Heath Road
23 October 2018 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration (Birch Pulling)
TUESDAY - We will be continuing thinning out the self-seeded Birch saplings that are crowding out the more delicate heathland-specialist plants. In the past few years we have undertaken a lot of total clearance of Birch within the enclosed areas of the heathland and now we will be turning our hands to thinning out thick areas to create a “Wooded Heath” habitat. This provides plenty of cover for a wide variety of animal life and a varying height and age of trees and shrubs.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
25 October 2018 10:00 at Manor Fields, Roffey
Bulb Planting
THURSDAY - Over the past year Earlswood Close and Manor Fields two small play areas have been removed and a new larger play area has been introduced on the main recreation ground. It has a woodland theme and has been integrated into the space using planting and trees. There are some more bulbs to be planted to provide a colourful display in the springs and summers to come.
Meeting point: Manor Fields RH13 6SD (off Harwood Road or Crawley Road). There is a very small car park but otherwise it will be roadside parking. The Roffey 98 Metrobus stop at “Chesterton Court” is very close.30 October 2018 10:00 at Southwater Country Park
Spooky Quarry Slope Raking, Gate Repair and Hedge Trimming
TUESDAY - The slope on the steep meadow at the back of Quarry Lake will have been strimmed and we will collect up the cuttings. There is also likely to be a gate to repair and cutting back a section of the long hedge along the meadow.
Meeting point: outside the café. Park in Station Road car park. Postcode is RH13 9UN; the OS map ref is TQ161 258
A fee is now charged for parking at Southwater CP but free parking permits for the morning will be handed out to HGG members on arrival. Make sure you get yours and display it in your car.
01 November 2018 10:00 at Warnham Nature Reserve
Willow Carr Coppicing
THURSDAY - If the area near to the first long boardwalk isn’t underwater then we will be in the Willow Carr area coppicing some of the trees, this is to maintain an diverse habitat and aid in the ongoing re-wetting project of this area. If the water is too deep then we will find some slightly dryer land to work on.
**WELLIES ESSENTIAL**Meeting point: outside the Reserve café off Warnham Road. Postcode is RH12 2RA; the OS map ref is TQ168 323
06 November 2018 10:00 at Southwater Country Park - Worthing Road
Play Area Hedge Trim and Hidden Meadow
TUESDAY - We will make a start on reducing the height of a section of the Willow hedge that runs along the edge of the play area and also be cutting and raking the nearby small patch of grassland known as the Hidden Meadow.
Meeting point: Worthing Road car park, Postcode is RH13 9EU (sometimes called Mill Straight; opposite Andrews Road).
A fee is now charged for parking at Southwater CP but free parking permits for the morning will be handed out to HGG members on arrival. Make sure you get yours and display it in your car.
08 November 2018 10:00 at Holders Close, Billingshurst
Fencing and Pond Work
THURSDAY - Removing the old rotten decking and fence posts and installing a new line of fencing. There will also be some vegetation to cut back and digging in the pond.
**WELLIES RECOMMENDED** Meeting point: Holders Close, Billingshurst, RH14 9HL Best approached from the roundabout off the A29. The turning is off the roundabout opposite "Mole Country Stores” (was Scats). Parking is usually a bit tight, so please be thoughtful of the residents.13 November 2018 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration (Birch Pulling)
TUESDAY - We will be continuing thinning out the self-seeded Birch saplings that are crowding out the more delicate heathland-specialist plants. In the past few years we have undertaken a lot of total clearance of Birch within the enclosed areas of the heathland and now we will be turning our hands to thinning out thick areas to create a “Wooded Heath” habitat. This provides plenty of cover for a wide variety of animal life and a varying height and age of trees and shrubs.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
15 November 2018 10:00 at Roosthole, St Leonards Forest
Heathland Work – St Leonards Forest
THURSDAY - Working together with Gatwick Greenspace Partnership on this Forestry Commission owned piece of land. The goal is to aid the remnant heathland habitat in to blooming once more. This work is directly complimentary to what we normally do, a stone’s throw away at Owlbeech Wood and is helping with habitat connectivity of the area. Owlbeech did once upon a time formed part of St Leonards Forest.
Meeting point: Roosthole Car park, Hammerpond Road, Horsham RH13 6PG20 November 2018 10:00 at Monkmead Wood, West Chiltington
Heathland Birch Pulling – Monkmead Wood
TUESDAY - We will be continuing thinning out the self-seeded Birch saplings that are crowding out the more delicate heathland-specialist plants. This is to create a “Wooded Heath” habitat. This provides plenty of cover for a wide variety of animal life and a varying height and age of trees and shrubs. This can be quite a wet site.
**WELLIES ESSENTIAL** Meeting point: Monkmead Wood Car Park, Monkmead lane, West Chiltington, RH20 2PG (The entrance is opposite the T-junction with Nyetimber Lane)22 November 2018 10:00 at Brick Kiln Close, Lower Beeding
Pond Work – Brick Kiln Close, Lower Beeding
THURSDAY - This will be Green Gym’s fifth visit to the pond, with the first being in 2007 and the most recent in January 2012. We will be staying bankside today; mostly felling self-seeded willow trees around the edge of the pond. This is to let more light to the water and open up the view a bit. We will use the cut timber to construct a half buried log pile, as demonstrated by this lovely refugium (plural: refugia) from 2010s visit.
There is also a couple of areas of bramble to trim back and rake up.
Meeting point: Parking - Holy Trinity Church Handcross Road, Lower Beeding, RH13 6NU
Work site - Brick Kiln Close, a 2 minute walk east up the road from the church.22 November 2018 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration (Birch Pulling)
TUESDAY - We will be continuing thinning out the self-seeded Birch saplings that are crowding out the more delicate heathland-specialist plants. In the past few years we have undertaken a lot of total clearance of Birch within the enclosed areas of the heathland and now we will be turning our hands to thinning out thick areas to create a “Wooded Heath” habitat. This provides plenty of cover for a wide variety of animal life and a varying height and age of trees and shrubs.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
29 November 2018 10:00 at Chesworth Farm
Hedge Trimming & Gateway TLC
THURSDAY - This one is what it says on the tin. There are a few sections of hedge that could do with the light- fingered touch of HGG and a couple of gateways to address too.
Meeting point: outside The Volunteer Centre, near the depot compound. By car approach from Queens Way. Postcode is RH13 0AA; the OS map ref is TQ176 295
04 December 2018 10:00 at Chennelsbrook Castle, Lemmington Way, Horsham
Scrub Bashing & Old Fencing Removal
TUESDAY - Knocking back some of the scrub and Bracken that is encroaching on the grassland on the western side of the river and continuing with removing the old redundant fence line. If the weather permits we will have a bonfire to reduce some of our cuttings piles.
Meeting point: Chennelsbrook Castle (Motte and Bailey), Lemmington Way, Horsham, RH12 5JG06 December 2018 10:00 at Warnham Nature Reserve
Mill Meadow Scrub and Aspen Bashing
THURSDAY - Working in Mill Meadow, assisting the sheep by cutting back some areas of woody scrub that they can't get their teeth in to. There is also likely to be a few fence stakes to drive in.
Meeting point: outside the Reserve café off Warnham Road. Postcode is RH12 2RA; the OS map ref is TQ168 323
11 December 2018 10:00 at Tilletts Lane, Warnham Village
Warnham Butterfly Project
TUESDAY - Exact task details are still to come but we will be lending a hand on this piece if land on the edge of Warnham Village that is maintained with butterfly conservation in mind.
Meeting point: Tilletts Lane, Warnham, RH12 3RD. Parking is tight so please be mindful.13 December 2018 10:00 at Leechpool Wood
Holiday Holly Hacking
THURSDAY - Deep in the Holly thicket creating some clearings, this will allow more light to reach the woodland floor in the spring, hopefully creating some nice patches of spring flowers. This has been working nicely in other areas of the woodland.
Take home as much of the Holly as you like to decorate your homes for the festive season. Its’ organic and free range!Meeting point: in the car park off Harwood Road. Postcode is RH13 6SG (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ193 313
18 December 2018 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration (Birch Pulling)
TUESDAY - We will be continuing thinning out the self-seeded Birch saplings that are crowding out the more delicate heathland-specialist plants. In the past few years we have undertaken a lot of total clearance of Birch within the enclosed areas of the heathland and now we will be turning our hands to thinning out thick areas to create a “Wooded Heath” habitat. This provides plenty of cover for a wide variety of animal life and a varying height and age of trees and shrubs.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
20 December 2018 10:00 at Chesworth Farm
Platt Pond Merriment in the Reeds
THURSDAY - It’s that time of year again – Ryan will be sporting his traditional Christmas jumper and waders and giving out mince pies to those on Matthew’s nice list. As a side note we will be clearing a section of reeds around the pond to maintain some open areas of water.
##image##Meeting point: outside The Volunteer Centre, near the depot compound. By car approach from Queens Way. Postcode is RH13 0AA; the OS map ref is TQ176 295
25 December 2018 10:00 at
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27 December 2018 10:00 at
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01 January 2019 10:00 at
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03 January 2019 10:00 at Chesworth Farm
Bramble Cutting and Alder Pulling
THURSDAY -
Meeting point: outside The Volunteer Centre, near the depot compound. By car approach from Queens Way. Postcode is RH13 0AA; the OS map ref is TQ176 295
08 January 2019 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration (Birch Pulling)
TUESDAY -
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317