As from January 2025 there will be a change to the pattern of the Friends work mornings. Instead of every week, there will be a work morning on the Second Monday each month.

If anyone would like to join our team, then please use the Website as first point of contact.

RENEWEL OF FENCE AND PATHWAY AT THE STONE BRIDGE

During the last week SGC have worked to repair both the broken rotted fence and the washed away path by the stone bridge. They have done a great job and we are very grateful. We do so hope the flood water will not cause destruction of both in the future.

Further to the October news item of work carried out to hopefully allow flood water from the Leap Stream into the Wetland , we are thrilled to show you the below photos. This shows that after the channels had been cut,  flood water did indeed ingress the Wetland. 

Yesterday this project was taken further. The Bund, which had become broken and incapable of holding back water in the Wetland for periods of time, was replaced. Coir rolls held in place with stakes and then planted up with Wetland species was skillfully constructed by a dedicated team. This should now hold  back water in the Wetland for longer periods when the stream is in flood. This in turn will have a beneficial effect on the flood water defenses of the Frome river into which our Leap Stream flows. It will also hopefully restore the biodiversity of the Wetland which had been lost over a period of years. 

Over the years we have lost the biodiversity of the Wetland due to it becoming increasingly dry.  The Leap stream that used to flood  into it, no longer does. So SGC have arranged for a contractor to dig four channels across the area to allow water to egress across the site. This will hopefully encourage the flora we used to see, into it once more hopefully also having  an effect on the creatures and birds that used to call it home. The Bund which has been in place at the northern end of the Wetland to help retain water is to be investigated to see if it can be repaired, to once again be a functioning component of the Wetland.

Part of the hedge along the wetland was relayed and rebuilt.

10 New saplings including Alder and Lime were planted.

An area across the stream has been opened up to improve the view.

The Orchard trees have been pruned and tidied up.

The Dead Winterbourne Plums removed.

Trees in the Valley and Orchard have all been relabelled. They have also been weeded and mulched.

Bird boxes have been surveyed, cleaned out and repaired where necessary. Nine out of the twelve were successful.

Invasive Floating Pennywort and timber were removed from the pond.

A very successful year for our birdboxes!

Thank you to SGC for the excellent repair to the broken fence. The slope is very slippery at this time of the year.

Our stalwart men have clocked up 77 hours of their time, working to enhance our beautiful open space in the last two months.

There was help arranged by South Glos Council to improve the encroachment of Dogwood and Willow into the wetland area. 

Several areas of Blackthorn, either dead or way past their best, have been cleared. 

Paths have been cleared of fallen leaves.

The stream has been kept clear of leaves and branches. 

Wind damaged trees and branches are an ongoing task.

A new nursery area has been created.

11 saplings including Oak, Rowan and Silver Birch have been planted and maintained. 

Many people have commented on the enhancement these ongoing tasks have made to the valley and we are all very grateful to the guys for their work in all weathers.