GREEN GYM PROGRAMME January to March 2014 http://sonningcommon.tcv.org.uk

MEETING POINTS: Meet On Site for 9.30am start with a finish time of 12:30 unless otherwise stated. ASSISTANCE: See online map. WHAT TO WEAR: Please wear old, warm clothes and sturdy boots and bring waterproofs. TETANUS: Please ensure your tetanus inoculation is up to date. MEDICATION: You must yourself be responsible for creams (e.g. against sunburn or bites) and for any medication you may need.

CONTACT: If you need any help, please ring 0118 9723528

January 2014

Date & Time Site Activity Meeting Point Leaders Notes Thursday 2nd Withymead Projects to support On site – follow Robert Watson 9.30 – 12.30 NR, Goring management of reserve signs from Goring Julia Booker to Wallingford road Saturday 4th Ewelme water Ongoing restoration of Roadside by bridge Mike Macleod When parking please 9.30 - 12.30 cress waterside site John Hasler avoid entrances/bus beds stop Thursday 9th Oak Farm, Hedgelaying along Off road, in open Tony Chandler Follow signs – right 9.30 – 12.30 Harpsden boundary hedge by the area of Gillsmithers Brian Gardener turn into car park, off Bottom Harpsden road Wood (Forestry road to Harpsden Commission) Saturday 11th Oak Farm, Continue hedgelaying Off road, in open Tony Chandler Follow signs – right 9.30 – 12.30 Harpsden along boundary by the area of Gillsmithers Brian Gardener turn off road to Bottom Harpsden road Wood (FC) Harpsden Thursday 16th National NR, To be agreed To be advised – Eric Yarrow If you are up for the 9.30 – 2.30pm Aston see below for Keith May full day, don’t forget Rowant directions the packed lunch! Saturday 18th Nettlebed Helping preparation for In centre of Elizabeth Smeeton Park with care – car 9.30 – 12.30 Common Nettlebed Village History Nettlebed, behind Tony Chandler share if possible Weekend bus stop – near kiln Thursday 23th Greys Court Ongoing park On site Brian Gardener 9.30 – 12.30 (NT) development programme Main NT car park Robin Howles

Saturday 25th Spring Wood, Cut back re-growing holly In paddock off Robin Howles 9.30 – 12.30 Rotherfield / brambles – help re- Blounts Court Diane Gordon Peppard establish bluebell areas Road Thursday 30th Watlington Hill Cut low scrub/bonfire NT car park Julia Booker 9.30 – 12.30 (NT) Robin Howles

The Green Gym is the outdoor way to develop your fitness and health whilst improving your local environment. Green Gyms were pioneered in conjunction with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (now TCV), by the Sonning Common group which is run solely by its members.

February 2014

Date & Time Site Activity Meeting Point Leaders Notes Saturday 1st Kingwood Scrub clearing in glades, By Great Davids Elizabeth Smeeton Joint session with 9.30 – 12.30 Common maintain footpaths Tony Chandler Kingwood Common Volunteer group Thursday 6th Nuffield Place Supporting management On site – for car park Brian Gardener 9.30 – 12.30 (NT) of the estate follow signs off Keith May Nettlebed to Wallingford road Saturday 8th Green Broom Stack wood/cut back On site – near to Elizabeth Smeeton Access to car park 9.30 – 12.30 Wood holly and brambles to Crays Pond Edward Sandars from Goring Heath to open up glade Goring road

Thursday 13th Dunsden Preparation for Church car park Chris Ash 9.30 – 12.30 Church hedgelaying Sheelagh Hill

Saturday 15th Dunsden Hedgelaying Church car park Chris Ash 9.30 – 12.30 Church Sheelagh Hill

Thursday 20th Cleeve Continuing management On site – follow Eric Yarrow Park in car-park off 9.30 – 12.30 Water of the riverside site signs from A329, Keith May side-road – allow 5- Meadow north of Streatley 10 minutes for walk to site Saturday 22nd Moorend Removing/cutting back Roadside by site Chris Ash Follow signs by 9.30 – 12.30 Common young birch trees Sian Hickman Frieth to Lane End (SSSI) road Thursday 27th National NR, To be agreed To be advised – see John Hasler If you intend to stay 9.30 –2.30 pm Aston Rowant below for directions Eric Yarrow for full session, bring packed lunch!

Directions for the Natural England Nature Reserve, Aston Rowant

Usual meeting-point is the Reserve office. We occasionally meet at three other sites,Hill Farm, the Nature Reserve car park, and Cowlease car park. Please check beforehand, if necessary. All four locations can be found on the map. At Nettlebed take B480 to Watlington; then take B4009 following signs for M40. For Hill Farm, turn right before the northbound motorway exit and continue for half a mile. Drive under Motorway (Junction 6) & take next right (A40). After ¼ mile turn right onto track (Icknield Way) signposted “Nature Reserve Office”. For Nature Reserve and Cowleaze car parks continue on the road and turn right after 1 mile further on at the top of the hill signposted to Christmas Common. The Nature Reserve car park is on the right after ½ mile (brown sign). Cowleaze is a ½ mile further on and on the left after crossing motorway.

From Christmas Common, reverse the directions.

March 2014

Date & Time Site Activity Meeting Point Leaders Notes Saturday 1st Ewelme Ongoing maintenance Roadside by bridge Mike Macleod When parking please 9.30 – 12.30 watercress of waterside site Edward Sandars avoid entrances/bus beds stop Thursday 6 th Greys Court On going park On site – main NT Brian Gardener 9.30 – 12.30 (NT) development car park Julia Booker programme Saturday 8 th Withymead Various projects to On site – follow Robert Watson NB All are invited to 9.30 – 12.30 NR, support management of signs from Goring to Sian Hickman ‘Opening Ceremony’ Goring the reserve Wallingford road – to mark completion of Richard’s Wishing Well Thursday 13th Cleeve Water Continuing On site – follow Eric Yarrow Park in car park off 9.30 – 12.30 Meadow management of signs from A329, Keith May side-road – allow 5-10 riverside site north of Streatley minutes for walk to site Saturday 15th Temple Island Cut back willow re- On riverside – Robin Howles Please arrive in good 9.30 – 12.30 Meadows growth/stack wood access from Henley Sian Hickman time – gate to field will (SSSI) to Marlow road, be re-locked at 9.25 opposite ‘Swiss am Farm’ Thursday 20 th National NR, To be agreed To be advised – see John Hasler Don’t forget the 9.30 – 2.30pm Aston Rowant directions below Eric Yarrow packed lunch if you are up for the full session! Saturday 22nd Peppard Heather management Car park by Peppard Elizabeth Smeeton 9.30 – 12.30 Common cross roads Mike Macleod

Thursday 27th Sue Ryder Clearing laurel and On site – follow Edward Sandars 9.30 – 12.30 Home, Joyce other spreading signs from entrance Sheelagh Hill Grove, vegetation on western Nettlebed edge of garden area Saturday 29th Parson’s Cut back spreading On site – park by Julia Booker New site 9.30 – 12.30 Wood holly Rotherfield Greys Robin Howles (Hernes) Church