Although a cold wind was blowing and rain seemed likely, seven adults and five Duke of Edinburgh Award students turned out for a work session in the Old Churchyard on the first Sunday in December 2021. Work on cutting back the summer’s grass in the centre of the site and clearing moss off the roof of the lychgate, two tasks which we had started on at our last session at the beginning of November, was finally completed. Alongside these tasks, Bryan Snashall and two young ‘apprentices’ (Alex and Eleni) set about reconstructing the compost bays, which had become very dilapidated over the years. Meanwhile, Noel Moss and Wendy Scobie undertook some much needed tidying up round the edges of the pond area.
Continue reading “Sunday work session in the Old Churchyard”Author: Cameron Sampson
The Farnham Herald has published our partner the Farnham Biodiversity Group’s latest article in the most recent issue under the above headline. The article is included here for the benefit of our members.
Continue reading “How wildlife survives the long winter”In recent weeks two major tasks have been completed successfully both of which are intended to have a good impact in the future.
Continue reading “Essential tasks completed in November 2021”This article was submitted to the Farnham Herald by the Farnham Biodiversity Group and published in the 28 October 2021 issue.
Continue reading “Farnham’s Wild Opportunity”We are early in the new school year, and as in previous years many students are looking for volunteering opportunities for their Duke of Edinburgh Award. As the Group’s activities have returned to normal, we have welcomed some new volunteers already and more applications are welcome.
Continue reading “Welcome to Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme students”Following the successful installation of a new bench seat in the Old Churchyard our work on that site has continued apace. The headstone damaged by an over-energetic tree in the hedgerow has been repaired for us by the Stonemason and on Thursday 9th September a small team undertook the annual task of trimming the front hedge. Undeterred by the drizzly weather conditions this went extremely well. In part this was due to our cordless trimmer purchased last year which really proved its worth on this occasion although our Secretary, Richard Sandars, still prefers the traditional use of hand shears. Either way, there is always a large volume of cuttings to be disposed of, which was accomplished by our equally traditional method of a trip to the Recycling Centre with well-filled sacks.
This article was recently published in the Farnham Herald. It was submitted by the Farnham Biodiversity Group – credit should be given to Martin Angel.
The Herald has published recent articles from the Farnham Biodiversity Group that drew readers’ attention to the plight of threatened species, such as swifts, stag beetles and hedgehogs. This article is about a plant that is both commonplace and much misunderstood: ivy, and its role in biodiversity.
With autumn not so far off and Covid regulations relaxed, a team of six adults and two Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students met in the Old Churchyard on Sunday 22nd August to complete a number of outstanding tasks. With excellent support from Max Grover, one of the DofE students, a second replacement bench, made up from two rather distressed predecessors, was firmly anchored to give a good view across the site. With everything having grown so prolifically this summer, the willows around the pond were definitely due their annual cut back as was the bramble patch beside the pond which had completely overgrown the pathway round the pond. Our second DofE student did valiant work in clearing weed off the surface of the pond. There is always more to be done but we feel that we have made good progress. Thanks to Richard Sandars for leading the team, with support from committee member Charles Fearnley.
The Farnham Society is once again organising a full programme of Heritage Open Days from 10th to 19th September. As in previous years, the Bourne Conservation Group is leading a guided walk as our contribution to understanding the heritage of our area.
Continue reading “Heritage Open Days 2021”The Group is pleased to be able to return to a regular Work Programme, which will be published on this website when finalised. The key factors in making this possible are:
- The ending by the Government of all restrictions on activity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The good news that our Chairman, Noel Moss, has been able to resume his involvement in running the Group.
To get the programme up and running again after the big effort we made for Farnham In Bloom, Calling Notices have been issued for four mini-sessions to allow us to catch up with urgent tasks:
They are:
29th July. Balsam Bash. A difficult but always enjoyable task in the nicest part of The Bourne Valley
1st August. Much needed trim in the Old Church Yard
3rd August. Footpath clearance in the Sturt Walk area
5th August. Check on the state of Middle Bourne Lane garden, including some hedge trimming.
Those who have signed up for these already are thanked. There are still vacancies, so any others please contact Noel without delay: info@bourneconservation.org.uk