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Calling for record-breaking volunteers!


Our Autumn/Winter volunteer work programme of practical tasks has started and we need more hands!

On December 5 we're taking part in ‘Tree O’Clock’ - an attempt to plant a record number of trees in one hour.

It's happening on Kinson Common, so if you'd like to come down and take part click here to let us know, or call 01202-570581.

You can read more about Tree O'Clock here .

If that's whetted your appetite we're also looking for help with our autumn/winter program of activities.

Volunteer sessions are happening on November 29, December 8, January 23 and Tuesday 23. We normally work for 2 to 3 hours, but if you can only spare an hour of your time it would be very much appreciated.

All dates are weather permitting. If you would like to come along and help please contact the Friends for times and where to meet.

You will need to wear comfortable clothing and stout shoes and please bring refreshments if you wish!

Comments(29)

FriendsofKC says...
8:41pm Wed 11 Nov 09

Excellent start on the 8th November to our Autumn/Winter work programme. Six of us worked for two and a half hours in Central Bog and despite one of us filling his wellies with water twice in the stream and another getting stuck in deep mud it was very worthwhile !
Many thanks to all who took part.

FriendsofKC says...
10:16am Thu 19 Nov 09

We have since worked on November 12th, 15th & 17th and its looking great ! Next one planned for Sunday22nd.Weather permitting !

FriendsofKC says...
1:05pm Sun 22 Nov 09

I went out today ( 22nd) for a couple of hours just to test some new loppers. Got wet but pleased with the loppers !

FriendsofKC says...
1:17pm Thu 26 Nov 09

Pleased to say that we have gained 3 new members in the past few weeks who are interested in this practical work.Looks very good for the future !

FriendsofKC says...
3:39pm Fri 27 Nov 09

Here is some info on the hedge planting project for December 5th.

I thought you might like to know what species we will be planting
in the hedge, and their quantities in relation to each other:

Shrubs - hawthorn 70%
blackthorn 20%
hazel 5%
alder buckthorn 5%

This is a typical mixture for a classic hedgerow. We will also be
planting an oak approximately every 20 metres or so, and these will be
left to grow when the hedge is eventually laid.

Should be a lovely project.

FriendsofKC says...
12:40pm Sun 29 Nov 09

We welcomed Wayne today who has recently joined us.Five of us worked for just over and hour but the weather finally beat us :-(

FriendsofKC says...
12:53pm Thu 3 Dec 09

Took advantage of good weather this morning to carry out more scrub clearance where we left off on Sunday. Apparently a Woodcock was seen in this area on Tuesday !
Now looking forward to the tree planting on Saturday.

FriendsofKC says...
3:36pm Sat 5 Dec 09

We managed 395 plantings today towards the world record attempt! Many thanks to all who gave their time. due to finish planting on Tuesday.

FriendsofKC says...
3:50pm Tue 8 Dec 09

Pleased to say that we finished the hedge planting this morning despite the weather !
Looking forward to seeing this mature in the coming years.

FriendsofKC says...
12:46pm Fri 11 Dec 09

A press release for the Tree O'Clock project can be found here-

http://www.vnsouth.t
v/videos/kinson_take
s_part_in_tree_ocloc
k

FriendsofKC says...
4:29pm Wed 16 Dec 09

Spent a couple of more hours on Sunday 13th clearing scrub.
Met 3 lady dog walkers who live in Springbourne but regularly walk their dogs on the Common on Sunday. Apparently they visited our Open Day a few years ago and fell in love with the Common !

FriendsofKC says...
3:51pm Sun 3 Jan 10

Three of us spent a couple of hours today clearing scrub where we left off. Almost finished in this area which mainly comprised of 15ft high willow !
Looking good now !

FriendsofKC says...
1:19pm Sat 23 Jan 10

Seven of us spent about two hours on Two Barrow Heath his morning clearing scrub. Really pleased with the amount of heather we found !

FriendsofKC says...
4:04pm Wed 27 Jan 10

Two of us carried on the scrub clearance this morning. Still finding lots of heather !

FriendsofKC says...
12:40pm Sat 30 Jan 10

More scrub clearance today and we are seeing the benefits !
Superb display of heather !

FriendsofKC says...
2:26pm Sat 6 Feb 10

More scrub clearance today. This small area of heathland has been devastated for many years by fires. Thankfully we have not had any incidents for about 18months and are clearing gorse to expose the heather. There's a lot of it !
This is also a favourite area for the Grayling butterfly which is in decline nationally.Luckily we seem to buck the trend !

FriendsofKC says...
1:06pm Wed 10 Feb 10

More scrub clearance today and we were joined by Council workers which allowed us to cut and burn on site.
Looking more like a heathland now !

FriendsofKC says...
3:39pm Sat 13 Feb 10

More clearance work today during which we cleared around the Bronze Age bowl barrow.
Nasty incident when a dog was seen worrying the cattle !

FriendsofKC says...
2:22pm Wed 17 Feb 10

Five of us were involved in scrub clearance today. Still uncovering large areas of heather !

FriendsofKC says...
3:07pm Sat 20 Feb 10

Excellent turn out today for more scrub clearance. Nearing the end now.....

FriendsofKC says...
4:04pm Tue 23 Feb 10

More scrub clearance today.Natural England were also on site with a machine to clear gorse.

FriendsofKC says...
4:00pm Wed 24 Feb 10

Started clearnace on another part of Two Barrow heath today

FriendsofKC says...
12:59pm Sat 27 Feb 10

Managed to beat the weather for more scrub clearance today.
We managed to clear around the bronze age saucer barrow.
Just a few more work days to go before we finish....

FriendsofKC says...
4:21pm Wed 3 Mar 10

More clearance work today including taking out some very leggy gorse !
Not too long before we finish now....

FriendsofKC says...
3:23pm Sat 6 Mar 10

Cutting down some substantial birch today and it's looking good !
Also had interest from 2 possible new members !

FriendsofKC says...
4:42pm Wed 10 Mar 10

Superb few hours working today ! The Council's shredder was on hand to clear as we cut.

FriendsofKC says...
12:58pm Sat 13 Mar 10

We were hoping to finish our work today but due to illness only 3 of us turned up.Still managed some good clearance work though !
Weather permitting, we should finish next Wednesday.

FriendsofKC says...
4:39pm Wed 17 Mar 10

Though we would be finishing today but there was more to do than we thought !
Saturday, weather permitting !

FriendsofKC says...
2:53pm Sun 21 Mar 10

That's it folks !
The weather beat us yesterday but we completed our work today in glorious weather !
Our small group carried out 216 hours of volunteer work since November.Tremendous effort from all who took part and gave their time.Many many thanks to you all.
See you next Autumn !


Calling for record-breaking volunteers! Calling for record-breaking volunteers!

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