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
24 October 2017 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood TUESDAY - Continuing the heathland restoration programme; there are Birch tree saplings to be yanked out by the root and Bracken that has died off for the year to cut back and rake off – this should give the more delicate heathland species a head start in the coming spring.
Heathland Restoration: MEGABASH Birch Pulling and Bracken Raking
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
26 October 2017 10:00 at Byfleets Lane, Broadbridge Heath
Broadbridge Heath Butterfly Project
THURSDAY - This was the former Byfleets Lane BMX jumps site, which have now made way for a conservation area. The main tasks today will be cutting back scrub and tree saplings and wheelbarrowing wood chip to extend the path through the site.
It would be really appreciated if as many people as possible come along today: Firstly, because this is a brilliant project that could do with a little Green Gym muscle; Secondly, we may get a donation to go toward buying tools and supplies. Thirdly, I have it in writing that there will be cake! Meeting point: Broadbridge Heath Cricket Club, Byfleets Lane, Broadbridge Heath, RH12 3PB31 October 2017 10:00 at Warnham Local Nature Reserve
Hazel Coppicing and Birch Felling
TUESDAY - No pumpkin carving for us today I’m afraid, no there are Hazel stools ready for the coppice; the product from this will be used as “stakes” and “binders” for hedge laying projects later in the winter. We will also be felling some of the densely packed Birch trees in the woodland to add some more open spaces through the woodland.
N.B. Some of this work is preparation for hedge laying later in the season – please let Ryan know if you would be interested in helping with this job as it will be outside of normal Green Gym time slots.Meeting point: outside the Reserve café off Warnham Road. Postcode is RH12 2RA; the OS map ref is TQ168 323
02 November 2017 10:00 at Warnham Local Nature Reserve
Hazel Coppicing and Stool Protecting
THURSDAY - There are Hazel stools ready for the coppice, the product from this will be used as “stakes” and “binders” for hedge laying projects later in the winter. We will begin to cover the harvested stools, to reduce damage by deer and rabbit when the fresh new shoots start to grow back in the spring.
N.B. Some of this work is preparation for hedge laying later in the season – please let Ryan know if you would be interested in helping with this job as it will be outside of normal Green Gym time slots.Meeting point: outside the Reserve café off Warnham Road. Postcode is RH12 2RA; the OS map ref is TQ168 323
07 November 2017 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration: Birch Pulling and Bracken Raking
TUESDAY - Continuing the heathland restoration programme; there are Birch tree saplings to be yanked out by the root and Bracken that has died off for the year to cut back and rake off – this should give the more delicate heathland species a head start in the coming spring.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
09 November 2017 10:00 at Chennels Brook Castle (Motte and Bailey)
Scrub Bash & Burning
THURSDAY - A good old fashioned scrub bash. Ensuring that the grassland that covers the mound of this ancient monument stays unhidden by bramble and thorn shrubs. We have a stack of cut material from last task to burn too.
Meeting point: Lemmington Way, Horsham, RH12 5JG
Parking is on the road. Please try to park on the left side of the road (assuming you've driven in from Rusper Road; it's the northern side if that helps) and avoid blocking the two nearby bus stops.
14 November 2017 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration: Birch Pulling and Bracken Raking
TUESDAY - Continuing the heathland restoration programme; there are Birch tree saplings to be yanked out by the root and Bracken that has died off for the year to cut back and rake off – this should give the more delicate heathland species a head start in the coming spring.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
16 November 2017 10:00 at Granary Way, Horsham (Alder Copse)
Scrub bash & litter collection
THURSDAY - Clearing brambles and Bind Weed from this lovely small patch of Alder woodland. We may also plant a handful of small shrubs.
Meeting point: Granary Way, Horsham, RH12 1XS. Park on the road near Granary Close and please leave the small parking area for residents.21 November 2017 10:00 at Southwater Country Park
Skate Park Cutback
TUESDAY - Cutting back vegetation around the skate park and thinning out tree saplings. There may also be some path repair to work on too.
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.
23 November 2017 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Forest Walk Birch Thinning and Dead Hedging
THURSDAY - Increasing some of the woodland glades and removing bramble from some of the existing open patches. We will stack the cut material in to “dead hedges”, providing good hibernation areas from many small creatures.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
28 November 2017 10:00 at Warnham Local Nature Reserve
Birch Thinning & Fence Line Clearing
TUESDAY - Increasing some of the woodland glades by felling some of the Birch trees, as well as clearing a route for a new fence line on the fringe of the woodland and reedbed.
The purpose of this fence will be to allow cows to graze in the reedbed in the springtime each year – the hope is that they will eat most of the emerging Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed – meaning less for us to pull later in the year. It has worked in the adjacent wet meadow and at Chennels Brook Castle, so fingers crossed!Meeting point: outside the Reserve café off Warnham Road. Postcode is RH12 2RA; the OS map ref is TQ168 323
30 November 2017 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Birch Felling & Scrub Clearing
THURSDAY - Well Leechpool actually but right on the border so it’s quicker to meet at the Owlbeech meeting spot.
We will be extending some of the glades we started last year in the thick Birch growth and clear some of the brambles from around this area and along the nearby electricity pylon line wayleave.Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
05 December 2017 10:00 at Leechpool Wood
Holly Hacking
TUESDAY - Today we will be thinning the thick Holly regrowth to allow daylight to reach the woodland floor, which should allow other smaller plants to grow and create a more diverse woodland. Stacking the cut material into “dead hedges” gives lots of nooks and crannies for all manner of things to hide away in, as well as slowing down the decomposition thereby locking in carbon. You are very welcome to take home any particularly attractive fronds to decorate your homes for the upcoming festivities!
Meeting point: in the car park off Harwood Road. Postcode is RH13 6SG (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ193 313
07 December 2017 10:00 at Chennels Brook Castle (Motte and Bailey)
Scrub Bash & Burning
THURSDAY - A good old fashioned scrub bash. Ensuring that the grassland that covers the mound of this ancient monument stays unhidden by bramble and thorn shrubs. We have a stack of cut material from last task to burn too.
Meeting point: Lemmington Way, Horsham, RH12 5JG
Parking is on the road. Please try to park on the left side of the road (assuming you've driven in from Rusper Road; it's the northern side if that helps) and avoid blocking the two nearby bus stops.
12 December 2017 10:00 at Owlbeech Wood
Heathland Restoration: Birch Pulling and Bracken Raking
TUESDAY - Continuing the heathland restoration programme; there are Birch tree saplings to be yanked out by the root and Bracken that has died off for the year to cut back and rake off – this should give the more delicate heathland species a head start in the coming spring.
Meeting point: at Owlbeech Way car park near the play area. Postcode is RH13 6AW (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ199 317
14 December 2017 10:00 at Warnham LNR
Dipping Pond Clearance & Meadow Tending
THURSDAY - We will be removing some of the pond weed and Mare's-tail from a couple of the dipping ponds to allow pond dipping by school groups in the coming spring term and ensure some open areas of water. This may mean waders! There is also vegetation to cut on dry land in and around the Mill meadow and connecting pathways.
Meeting point: outside the café. Postcode is RH12 2RA; the OS map ref is TQ168 323
19 December 2017 10:00 at Chesworth Farm
Plat Pond Reed Clearance
TUESDAY -
There are reeds to cut and clear out of the pond; to make sure that there are some open areas of water, we will dig out a few sections to further slow some areas of regrowth. What is dug out will be planted on other sites that could use a boost.
There are also some slightly drier jobs: the surrounding hedge to trim back and some post & rail fencing repairs.
If you have all been very good girls and boys this year there may just be some mince pies too.
Meeting point: outside The Volunteer Centre, near the depot compound. Postcode is RH13 0AA; the OS map ref is TQ176 295
21 December 2017 10:00 at Leechpool Wood
Holiday Holly Hacking MEGABASH
THURSDAY -
Today, we will be thinning the thick Holly regrowth to allow daylight to reach the woodland floor, which should allow other smaller plants to grow and create a more diverse woodland.
Stacking the cut material into “dead hedges” gives lots of nooks and crannies for all manner of things to hide away in, as well as slowing down the decomposition thereby locking in carbon.
You are very welcome to take home any particularly attractive fronds to decorate your homes for the upcoming festivities!
This has been advertised to the public, so bring along friends and family. Wear sturdy footwear and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty! Gloves, tools, hot drinks,mulled-apple juice and mince pies provided. (Children aged 6-16 must be accompanied by an adult)
Work site: We will be working along the Green “Woodland Walk” Route; between the “Oak Clearing” and the play area.
Meeting point: in the car park off Harwood Road. Postcode is RH13 6SG (not exact); the OS map ref is TQ193 313
26 December 2017 at Home
NO TASK TODAY
A well-earned rest for all.
28 December 2017 at Home
NO TASK TODAY
If you're starting to get really restless you could always go and show off some of our past work to family and friends!
02 January 2018 at Home
NO TASK TODAY
Happy New Year to all.
04 January 2018 at TBC
2018 Programme Coming Soon
2018 Programme Coming Soon