As a group we have been pretty busy. There have been six events in the last three months, four of which were work parties. Consequently, there have been some very noticeable changes in the copse and various members have received some very positive feedback from the general public about our efforts.

As reported in the last newsletter, construction of the boardwalk over the stream in the Copse was deferred due to a brief spate of vandalism. Consequently, a good turnout of members (9) met in the copse on October 13^th. I managed to strain my back trying to extract an auger from a post hole and had to return home. This was fortunate for the other members as it meant they didn’t have to suffer my "jokes" any longer. Then, just as the team were flagging a bit, Giles, from WDC, turned up and helped. He also brought a pair of two handled spades for digging post holes. Accordingly, work proceeded well but wasn’t quite finished in the day. However, Martin Crothall, John Higgins and two other members (whose names weren’t noted) returned on Sunday morning to complete the creosoting.

Constructed to a proven design supplied by Andy Glencross, the finished boardwalk looks very good and, despite fears of "sore thumb syndrome", was found to blend in with the surroundings very well. Two teenaged lads who saw it being constructed declared it "cool" and other very positive comments have been received during subsequent work parties.

On completion of the stream boardwalk, it was apparent that we had a surplus of materials. Encouraged by the success of the first one, a decision was quickly made to build a second over the ditch by the play area. The date was set for December 29^th – the theory being that we would need some exercise to reduce the effects of our Christmas excesses. Nic got entries in the Wokingham Times Community News section two weeks running and this helped towards a good turnout with three new members getting involved, making a total of 8 on the day.

By midday, the main structure was finished and planking almost done. It was at this point that we realised we needed about a dozen more planks to complete the job. John Higgins and Nic volunteered to locate a supplier and to go and buy the needed wood. After lunch, it was a quick job the complete the planking and attach the edging strips.

The result looks good and will certainly be appreciated by commuters cutting through the copse and park. It just remains for Colin Hook to arrange for the granite chippings to be placed at either end to make run-ups, and we’ll have a fine pair of complementary boardwalks. Check out the Wokingham Times next week as they sent a reporter and photographer along. I just hope I’m not mis-quoted!

Due to a family bereavement I was not able to attend either of the two hedge laying events. So, I don’t know much about the actual days themselves. However, Andy Glencross of WDC Countryside Service had allocated funds for members of HAWC (Hedgerow and Woodland Conservationists) to come along and tackle the Reading Road boundary hedge while giving HCCV members training in hedge laying. Five HCCV members attended the first day but, unfortunately, no one managed the second.

The impression gained from those who did attend is that hedge laying is something we can do as part of our conservation activities. It is not a mystical art although but experience in dealing with different plants, shrubs and trees is important. We should now plan to reinforce that training through more use of it by the trained as well as by the trained passing on their newly acquired skills to other group members.

The first section of hedge looks superb and Colin Hook expressed himself very pleased with the result. It looks as though the second section needs the tops of the stakes to be trimmed level and we should plan this into one of our next two work parties. However, the work complements Colin’s tree planting in Holt Lane and we have a good basis for significantly improving the external appearance of the park.

Two "ordinary" work parties have been held. The first saw us start work in Compartment 2 with a good turn out of members. The work consisted of our version of coppicing and we were able to produce some raw materials for the first hedge laying session. The second work party, held on December 8^th, produced only four members but some more work in Compartment 2 was achieved. We continued with our dead-hedging to keep the park users off the cleared area while it re-generates.

The latest on this is that the Town Council has made the decision to proceed and Andy Glencross has sent some hand-completed forms to the WTC for them to formalise with typed versions. The latter will be the actual submission to English Nature.

As you know, I not only type up this newsletter but also make up most of it. That’s not to say it’s fiction but I build up the items from bits of information I have to hand. This approach has some weaknesses. Nic did send a report on the first boardwalk but my failure to get a Newsletter out during November/December has meant that it has largely been superseded.

So, if I’m not at an event, can someone scribble a few notes on a bit of paper for me to create a report, OR, even better, send in report for inclusion "as is"? You can see the sort of information needed - numbers attending, weather, work done, problems overcome, interesting side issues, etc.

Welcome to Carol, Pippa and John. Carole lived in Larch Avenue as a child and has many memories of the Copse as it was in the 70’s. I’m hoping I’ve convinced her she should tape record her mother’s and her memories. Perhaps we could turn them (the memories) into an article in this Newsletter.

Saturday, January 19^th - Work Party Start – 9.30am

Coppicing in Compartment 2, trimming laid hedge top.

Saturday, February 16^th - Work Party Start – 9.30am

Coppicing in Compartment 2, laurel pulling

Jack Meatcher 3^rd January, 2002.

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