Beheadings at West Beckham Old Allotments

Ten volunteers assembled at the WBOA for a nice sunny Saturday afternoon work party. The slightly unusual day and time, as Trevor explained in the briefing, was to give volunteers who may be unavailable during the week an opportunity to attend.

The task for the day was to scythe the Daffodils, Alexanders and Dock leaves growing there – 'beheading' as Trevor referred to it. The aim of this was to prevent nutrients from the leaves reaching the roots of the docks, and in particular the bulbs of the Daffodils that grow in profusion at this site. This will gradually weaken the plants so, at some point, they'll stop re-growing, giving a greater range of flowers a chance to flourish.

Simon G scythying

Jake's Scything Lesson

The task proceeded apace, with the Trust's expert scythers getting stuck in, while the rest of the volunteers raked up and disposed of the cuttings on the two or three brush piles around the edges of the site. Raking off cut grass and vegetation is to prevent nutrients from the decomposing cuttings entering the soil. This tends to encourage Nettles, Docks and grasses to grow, outcompeting the wild flowers and other plants that are more useful from a biodiversity standpoint.

Ox Eye Daisies were also planted on the butterfly bank, not only as a food source, but hopefully to increase the seed bank there.

As this session was for two hours rather than the usual three, there was a shorter break than usual, but, much to the relief of all, the traditional Felbeck Trust doughnuts were still handed round. Thanks, Trevor!

A couple of wildlife highlights for Andrew G this session were a fairly close view of two Red Kites circling overhead. Two butterflies, an Orange Tip and a Brimstone, were seen around some Campions near where we were working. A Small Blue butterfly was also reported, and Blue Tits, Whitethroats and Blackcaps were heard in the trees and hedges. There was also a Stock Dove, which gave Trevor quite a start as it burst from the undergrowth right by him!

Jake had a scything lesson from Trevor and Trevor found some fresh hedgehog poo - two highlights of the afternoon!.

Hedgehog Poo

Thanks to Peter M, Peter R, Alan, Simon G, Ed, Dee, Jake, Trevor and Andrew G for coming out today and getting stuck in! 

Our next work party is on Thursday May 7th at the Sustead cluster.

Andrew Gorton April 25th 2026