Docked

A sunny day but not as hot as it was a few days before, thank goodness – and 13 of us turned up, along with a brief visit from Bev, bringing the wheelbarrow back from Spurrell’s Wood. We also had a new visitor in the form of Robin Horn, who we had met at North Elmham’s Eco Fair 12 days earlier, when he had offered us a couple of scythes, one of them aluminium. So we are now even better equipped with scythes, thank you, Robin.

And the work we did? Well, the main focus at WBOA was docks – those plants, which haunted many of our early work parties at WBOA, were once again rearing their seeded heads, although by no means in their earlier profusion. So, seven of us set to clipping their heads off to add to a huge dock pile beyond the pond – awaiting later immolation, in the (vain?) hope that the seeds won’t spread too far.

Sean, Kieran and Chloe tackled the area around the main pond, which had become seriously overgrown. With Sean scything and Kieran and Chloe raking and clearing, the area between the bird screen and the pond, along with the whole area around the pond, were beautifully tidied. A great first outing for Kieran and his Mum, Chloe.

Fran and Andrew were despatched to West Beckham Green where the paths had been overrun by Bracken and bramble. After the break (doughnuts with no jam – the fault of our Volunteer Co-ordinator), Peter and John joined Fran and Andrew to help finish the path clearance at WBG, while the others worked hard at dock extermination.

Before

After

Nick was seconded from dock duty for a while to refill the dew pond which had dried up completely due to the hot weather. He was struck by the speed with which the insects swarmed to the new source of water. He then watered the turfs around the Marsh pond and had the joy of watching a Swift swoop down to take a gulp of water.

And I forgot to say that John spent a happy hour practising the art of slow mowing, leaving the WBOA paths in immaculate condition.

Thanks to all for a great morning. The next work party is in Sustead on Thursday July 17th.

Peter Maingay

July 3rd 2025