Using Issue 19 as a template, I've just realised that the previous Newsletter was last Autumn. This might give the impression that there's not been much going on in the HCCV. Nothing could be further from the truth! Having just gone through my Issue 19 template, I've realised that I can use many of the headings from that to ensure you're brought up to date in Issue 20. So, here we go!

We completed our programme of work parties and, thanks to Nic Hopkinson, added a few more weekday ones as well. This means we've completed the coppicing of the area between the two paths running parallel to Jubilee Avenue in Compartment 2 and made a start on the area south of the inner path. As I write, I know that the bluebells and wood anemones are responding to the extra light and are about to give us a wonderful show. It's these very obvious signs of the effects of our work that help to give the HCCV the credibility it has with the average park user.

Coppicing is our "bread and butter" work and could become a bit boring if it wasn't for the sheer enjoyment we have. I realise that my "jokes" are a cross that you have to bear but there has to be a down side to everything. Life isn't all fun.

However, it's not only coppicing thats been on the agenda this "season" but the other activities have their own sections below.

In the last issue, there was a piece about a proposed, third, boardwalk. It was to be located at the top of the main track where flooding had occurred in the past. I'm pleased to be able to report that this boardwalk was completed during our first work party of the season and, by now, has mellowed and blended with its surroundings.

Our thanks must go to Nic Hopkinson who made all the arrangements for materials and generally managed the project. Of course, thanks are also due to the members who turned out on the day and ensured that the task was completed.

Something which occurred the following night may give some insight as to how our activities are viewed by the younger users of the park. When we had finished the boardwalk, there was some timber left over plus some branches we'd had to trim. These were stacked adjacent to the boardwalk. The following day, it was noticed that all this wood had been used to fuel a bonfire next to the boardwalk and the fires ashes included some empty beer cans. At this point, it would be understandable if our collective hearts sank. However, I did feel that the fact that the actual boardwalk wasn't damaged or set on fire showed that this wasn't a truly malicious activity and our boardwalk was actually appreciated as a benefit. Interestingly, none of the boardwalks has been damaged or vandalised so far.

Well, I am delighted to be able to report that the information board was officially unveiled by David Tinker, Chairman of the Wokingham Society, on Saturday, 3^rd April, 2004. Nic Hopkinson, during his introductory speech, pointed out that this project had taken some 1½ years to bring to fruition despite our original expectations that it should only take a few months. David spoke of our two groups having the same basic objectives and that working together was a natural thing.

Generous grants from The Wokingham Society, English Nature, and Wokingham Town Council enabled the Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers (HCCV) to complete this project. It will benefit both children and adults when they use Joel Park and Holt Copse. The board shows the richness and diversity of the flora and fauna to be seen, describes the coppicing work that is being done and outlines the history and geology of the area. While the content of the board is very much as the HCCV originally visualised it, Rebecca Walker of the WDC Countryside Service has contributed her creative and artistic talents to refine and develop a stimulating and informative design.

The actual unveiling ceremony was extremely successful, not just because the weather was kind to us, but because so many turned out to either help or support the event. Some forty members and guests attended the unveiling and it was particularly pleasing to see English Nature, WDC Countryside Service, and BTCV represented. HCCV member Jack Earnshaw was also representing Wokingham Town Council and it was good to see all the "key players" there. It was obvious that the board, together with the collaboration of the Wokingham Society and HCCV, is very important to the Society. I noticed a Society member recording everything on video and a group took up the offer of the conducted tour ably led by Colin Melhuish. We need to keep the Society informed as to when we are having our Summer events, particularly our bat walks.

Creating and installing the board was project managed by Nic Hopkinson and he was ably assisted by Pip and John Robinson, Colin Melhuish, and Valerie Givan.

I am sure the board will be very popular with park and copse users. Indeed, two young teenagers were seen examining it at length shortly after the unveiling.

Should this section be called "The Joke"? Most of you will have seen our ponds inability to hold water. This has been attributed to the fact that the present sides of the pond contain a mixture of clay and loam which is permeable to water. The problem was confirmed as soon as it was realized that the pond wasn't filling despite adequate rain. This is not something for which "someone is to blame". It was hoped to keep the pond to a minimum size in case a large pond caused too much adverse reaction among the average park users.

There are several ways to correct the situation, get a butyl liner (not very natural), get pure clay and "puddle" it into the banks the way they lined the canals in the 18^th century, or dig the pond a bit deeper so that the bottom and the sides are pure clay. For obvious reasons, the latter course of action is preferable although it will mean the pond will extend a bit so that the sides can still have shallow slopes (for safety).

This corrective action would have been taken in the Winter but for the fact that Andy Glencross had run out of budget until this April. Andy's on the distribution of this Newsletter and, hopefully, is taking the hint here. If he isn't able to help this time, I'll sell the left over sausages from the unveiling ceremony at a Farmers Market in the town.

The Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the Wokingham District area includes the need to increase the number of new wildlife ponds by 5 by 2012 and to restore 5 existing ponds in the same timeframe. Our pond means that the plan is 20% along the way for new ponds so getting it right is important for the park and the District as well.

This has been a long saga of communications difficulties coupled with the problems of getting representatives of several organisations to be available at the same time. Having finally got some responses from Emmbrook Infants and Walter Infants, the next step was to set up a meeting. This failed, first because Theresa Verney-Brookes, the BBOWT Community Liaison Officer, went on maternity leave and then, on the morning of the re-arranged meeting, her stand-in, Kerry O'Flinn, had a car accident. A meeting between HCCV and the two schools did take place in December 2003 and it was possible to at least discuss some of the expectations of the schools together with what the HCCV felt they could provide.

In March this year, Kerry visited Wokingham and was given a conducted tour of the copse and park. Later that day, a meeting was held between the HCCV and BBOWT when it was possible for Kerry to propose some ideas for developing the educational potential of the copse and park. Kerry is now to discuss her findings with Theresa (who is expected to return to work shortly) and a second meeting set up with the schools to advance the scheme. The installation of the Information Board will give any "nature trail" a focal point so its availability is very timely.

Another issue raised during last years parks inspection by the Amenities Committee was that of the deteriorating fence around the "Bermuda Triangle". Eventually, it was decided to plant a native-species hedge inside the fence and to let the fence deteriorate and disappear by natural processes. With all the other projects on the go, nothing has been done on this project so far.

However, at the Information Board unveiling, Valerie Batt-Rawden from the Hedge and Woodland Conservation (HAWC) group was present. You will remember it was HAWC that cut and laid the hedge by the Reading Road, giving some of the HCCV members basic training in the technique. Valerie took up the offer of the conducted tour of the copse and was impressed with our work, including the newly planted hedge alongside Jubilee Avenue. During our discussions, she suggested that if we needed money to finance something, and the hedge round the Triangle was a good example, we should write to HAWC (she's the Chairman) and our application would be considered sympathetically. Apparently, the income from their charges for hedge laying do provide a surplus that they can use to promote other hedge and woodland projects.

Many of you would have seen the unauthorised use of part of the copse by the water suppliers sub-contractor to dump spoil and store old equipment. A sequence of representation by HCCV Members (particularly Nic Hopkinson) and the WTC eventually got the sub-contractor to remove their mess and then to provide a couple of lorry loads of top soil to replace that which had been removed during the clear up. Nic also pressured them to "compensate" for the damage done by providing the cost of some 200 whips of native hedge species. These were planted during one of the Winter work parties and, as I write, they are sprouting new leaves and looking very healthy and settled in their new location.

Once this hedge has matured and been laid, it should stop any further damage or fly-tipping along that boundary as well as deterring people from creating yet more paths into the copse there.

I hope all HCCV members have reserved the evening of April 16^th for the HCCVs AGM. Your attendance is important because it is the only time in the year when we discuss the coming year's activities and future strategy on projects the bigger picture.

We already have a number of projects "on the books" and we need to reconsider our priorities for these. We will be planning our programmes of events and work parties. I also think we really need to have someone thinking and acting to increase our membership, particularly younger members (and younger to us, at the present, is someone under 40!).

Nic will be emailing the agenda in the near future so that you can prepare your thoughts so that the AGM is relevant and worthwhile.

As most of you know by now, Nic Hopkinson and I have been given Civic Awards for the work we (quote) "have done in caring for the community of Wokingham town". We did not apply for these but were nominated by Jack Earnshaw, HCCV member and Town Councillor. This proposal was kindly seconded by Colin Melhuish, Pip and John Robinson. Like Nic, I knew nothing of this until the letter from the Town Hall arrived in the post.

It goes without saying that, although Nic and I will have our names on these awards, the awards really reflect the commitment and enthusiasm of the group as a whole. These awards, together with comments we hear at things like the board unveiling, show the credibility and regard of the HCCV in the community. This is because of the solid work done by members.

Both Nic and I are very proud to get these awards but I think every member, past and present, has the right to feel equally proud.

I have a booklet from BBOWT detailing all the courses being run by them and by the Countryside Service (in collaboration with other authorities/groups) over the next 9months or so. The BBOWT courses tend to cost money, but the others tend to be free.

I have to admit to being tempted by the "Introduction to Invertebrates" course. Often, walking through the copse, I've seen an invertebrate and thought, "Well, you may be spineless but that's no reason not to pass the time of day with you". But, we've never been formally introduced so I'm reluctant to speak for fear of being thought too forward. Perhaps this course could help me.

Contact me, or Andy Glencross at Dinton Pastures, if you want to find out more about these courses.

I don't get many sightings reports but I did get a phone call from Nic recently to say that a Red Kite was circling over the Marks Road/Clifton Road junction. Unfortunately, by the time I got out to the road to check, it was gone.

Look out for Buzzards over the area between the M329 and the M4 on the Twyford road.

I had Coal Tits in the front garden, on the fir trees, on April 5^th while a Blackbird and Great Tits are nesting in the back garden.

Remember, if you see something interesting on the estate, in the park or the copse, email or phone me and I can send out a newsflash to everyone or put something in the next Newsletter.

Jack Meatcher

April 6^th, 2004