Dorset Countryside Volunteers No 149 July - October 2009 Reg Charity No 1071723 www.dcv.org.uk Who we are, what we do, where, why and how . .
DCV is . . . A DCV day lasts . . .
A practical conservation group run by volunteers 10.00a.m. – 5.00p.m. approximately since 1972 doing practical work in the Breaks for lunch and drinks countryside that would not otherwise be done Volunteers are male and female, from all walks FINDING DCV . . . of life, all ages and from all over the county Work is seasonal, e.g. woodlands in winter - Maps with the task programme (at the back of this hedgelaying, coppicing; in summer dry stone newsletter) show the locations of task sites walling, clearing ponds, footpath work Look for DCV’s yellow arrows near the worksite or Organisations we work for include: Dorset red and white tape or the DCV information board may show an explanatory note Wildlife Trust, Heritage Coast Project, Natural If unsure of the worksite try to arrive by 10.00 to England, Herpetological Conservation Trust meet other volunteers. The worksite may be some We work at weekends throughout Dorset way off. Lost? give us a call on 07929 961532 No super-human strength or special skills needed, or attendance on every task or even for FOOD, DRINK & ACCOMMODATION the whole weekend - any time is a bonus Occasionally, we hire a village hall, cook supper, DCV offers . . . visit the local pub and sleep overnight - karrimats Practical care for the environment available! N.B. Book with Peter a week in advance Opportunity to learn new skills - training given The charge for a weekend, including Saturday Use of all necessary tools evening meal, lunch Saturday and Sunday, breakfast on Sunday and accommodation, £3.00 Accommodation on weekend tasks DCV provides free hot/cold drinks and biscuits Beautiful countryside, social events, fun & during the day - bring your own mug if you wish companionship On residentials, all volunteers are welcome to come Link with a French conservation group for the evening meal and pub whether working both YOU should bring . . . days or just one Halls offered by DCV provide separate male and Stout footwear (steel toecaps if you have them) female toilet/washing and changing facilities Old clothes (wear layers) Tough gloves (we have some to sell/lend) Note: If you have a medical condition or Waterproofs, sun block, sun hat, insect repellent allergies of any sort, please carry a card and If staying overnight – a change of clothes, bring necessary medicines. If you wish, bring sleeping bag (air bed/camp bed if you wish) this to the attention of the task leader. Please Up to date tetanus jab complete the “in case of emergency” details at Goggles, if you wish, to protect your eyes the end of the newsletter, and bring on task.
Reaching a task . . . All youngsters are welcome, but should be If you need / can offer a lift, phone one of the accompanied by a responsible adult. contacts 3 days before a task Lifts from Wool station (toolstore is nearby) EDITORIAL
Climate change! 2045. Global warming! 2012. Species under threat! 2065. Lack of biodiversity! What does it all mean? Does it affect us? What can we do about it? Well, we could all sit back and watch TV and say YES, YES, I‛m sure THEY will do something about it and I‛m not going to worry. In some cases we are past the worrying stage and into the action stage but only re-action, to events and disasters that happen around us. Mankind is a wonderful species that is very good at adapting to its surroundings and will surely survive long after some plants, insects and animals have died out. But there is something we can all do NOW. Biodiversity can be helped by thousands of volunteers around the country helping to maintain or even expand the wild areas near where they live. Many of us already help by doing conservation work or raising money for work to be done. The lack of biodiversity is due to mankind's expansion into the natural world and our subsequent control of it. There were once vast areas of heathland and chalk grassland and more wetlands in Dorset with associated flora and fauna. These areas helped to support local communities. As societies and farming changed these areas were often neglected or marginalised, becoming overgrown with scrub and loosing their wildlife. Over the last 50 years or so we have begun to realise what we need to protect and what we can leave to nature to claim back, because so much of our landscape is manmade it needs to be maintained. That is why DCV is so important along with a myriad of other organisations, in that we actually get out there and do some of the work. As Richard has observed, DCV task numbers wax and wane over the years, indeed this has always been the case. Our task programme continues to roll steadily forward but we can only function with you, the volunteer. So go on, be a small cog in a big wheel.
Speaking of cogs, the DCV machine was in action at the recent AGM which went very well. Richard‛s position as co-ordinator and Chris‛position as treasurer were both approved. We had a very interesting and informative slide show on the habitats of Dorset from Tony Bates, Chairman of Dorset Wildlife Trust and we would like to thank him very much for his wonderful presentation. That evening, the first of the newly instigated DCV Green Awards was presented - to David Fennell who cycled to Winfrith village hall from Dorchester. The second award was presented the next day - to Maurice Budden, who walked to the task site at Symondsbury. Who will be next . . . ?
Phew, a big newsletter this issue, but it includes the annual report which you will find interesting. Many of you will be looking forward to the next episode of ‘Less of the D‛Urbervilles‛, and it‛s quite a cliffhanger. There‛s a fine selection of photos of our work at Tyneham - are you in one of them? Brush up on your fencing skills with the article in this newsletter or look online at the BTCV handbook for further details. As always, many thanks to all contributors and we look forward to seeing you on task this summer. Co-ordinator’s report for 2008/09 Richard Meatyard Introduction As you will have noted there has been a bit of a shake-up in the DCV organisation this year. With effect from the last AGM I took over the role ofTask Leader coordinator from Viv Endecott. More recently as a result of Ian Hay stepping down from the Treasurers and various other roles, it became necessary to appoint an acting Treasurer, Chris Huggill and an acting Coordinator, myself to keep DCV operating until this AGM. I hope you will agree with me when I say that we all owe Ian a huge debt of gratitude for the many years of hard work that he put into DCV both on task where he set an example to be admired and followed and in his various administrative roles. In addition to attending virtually all tasks, leading many, and towing for trailer even more, he found time to be treasurer and take on various other administrative roles to keep DCV and its finances in good order. I therefore hope you will join me in a big vote of thanks to Ian for all of this. Since this is the first time I have had to put together a Coordinator’s report, I asked Peter to let me have a copy of a previous one and was presented with a 5 page document packed with statistics for the year 1995/6 which was too daunting a challenge for my first outing so this will be a somewhat briefer effort but I hope informative. I have been out on task regularly now for about 4 years and my impression has been that attendance this year was down on previous years. As I put together this year’s figures and compared them with those of 13 years ago, I found that they were broadly similar so perhaps it is natural for any organisation to wax and wane in cycles over the years.
The vital statistics - What we did and who for? Annual summary compared to previous years
Year Workdays Tasks Day s Worked Sites Attendance (av g)
2008/9 602 48 76 34 9 1995/6 684 55 86 39 8
What things we did Who we did them for Task Ty pe Day s Worked Daily Attendance User Body Day s Work Daily Worked Day s Attendance Construction 5 15 Tool store & repairs 1 11 National Trust 10 102 13 West Dorset Hedge lay ing 6 11 Dorset Wildlife Trust 13 94.5 8 Dry Stone Walling 9 10 Butterf ly 9 84.5 11 Construction/walling 1 9 Conserv ation Pond & Ditch work 5 9 Herpetological 8 73 10 Scrub Bashing 38 9 Conserv ation Trust Ragwort etc 4 7 Tamarisk Farm 6 64.4 12 Woodland/Coppicing 4 7 Purbeck District 5 33.5 8 Footpathf urniture 1 6 Council Footpath clearance 2 5 Dorset County 3 24 9 Council Task Leaders Task Led Portland Project 4 20 5 Brian Thompson 1 BP- Wytch Farm 2 13 7 Viv Endecott 2 John Marsh 3 Purbeck HLF 2 13 7 Val Simcock 3 Swy re - PeterYates 2 11 6 Tania O’Keeffe 4 Leggett Trust 2 10 5 Don Simcock 4 Lytchett Matrav ers PC 1 10 11 Andy Cleaves 5 Osmington PC 2 10 5 Shiela Johnson 6 Puncknowle PC 1 9.5 10 Gareth Morgan 6 Chris Huggill 7 Plantlif e 1 7.5 8 Doug Kite 8 DCC Heritage Coast 2 7 4
Peter Warren 12 Natural England 2 6.5 4 Richard Meatyard 15 Co-ordinator’s report for 2008/09 cont’d . .
Highlights & low-lights of the Year Looking back through the task report forms for the year, three tasks stand apart from the rest: The first highlight was nearly a disaster. On a bright sunny June day we rolled up at Limekiln Hill above West Bexington, expecting to repair a few short sections of wall for the National Trust, to find a group of Trust volunteers putting the finishing touches to the wall we were scheduled to repair. After a brief tete a tete between leader, warden and tenant we found ourselves starting to rebuild a long complex section of wall on a steep hill. Over this and the following two visits, the last, 3 days over a Bank Holiday weekend when we were joined for the Saturday and Sunday by a large and enthusiastic group from Hampshire Conservation Volunteers. A long section of the wall was stripped and rebuilt. The low-light of the year was probably the walling task at Puncknowle. A merry group of volunteers set-to clearing around the wall we were due to strip back and rebuild. When the adjacent landowner started to protest about the work and then tried to walk off with various tools, it became clear that we had become embroiled in a local boundary dispute. With the Parish Council unable to give the necessary guarantees the task had to be abandoned. We hope to return and complete the wall but as yet the necessary guarantees are not forthcoming. The second highlight of the year was the two weekends spent re-chalking the Cerne Giant along with various other local and not so local volunteers. The Gods were very definitely on the side of the National Trust as this task which involves cutting out and replacing some 20 tonnes of chalk on the side of a steep hill is only possible in dry weather. The complete task took place over two weekends and the intervening week. DCV were out both weekends and on the second weekend was joined by a large group of volunteers from Orchis. By the end of the last day the Giant was resplendent in the setting sunlight. It will be sometime before we go tramping on the Giant again as the re-chalking is only done every 7 years.
Thanks It takes the effort and dedication of many people to keep the DCV going, all of whom give up a significant amount of their free time to ensure that for most weekends of the year we contribute something towards the conservation of the flora, fauna and landscape of this marvellous part of the country that we have the good fortune to live in. Firstly, I would ask for a vote of thanks for all those that give up their time to put together a busy programme of tasks and social events:
Doug Kite - Who seeks out and puts together our programme of tasks for a wide range of clients. Helen Gorman - Who arranges an interesting selection of social events. Don & Val Simcock - Who create the interesting and informative quarterly newsletter. Nick O’Keeffe - Who maintains the DCV WEB site and ensures the content is current. Brian Thompson & Chris Huggill - Our publicity officers who actively promote the work of DCV both in the press and at many local events around the county. Terry Gillott for arranging the two Orchis visits this year.
Secondly, I would like to ask for a vote of thanks for all those that give up their time to deal with the logistics of keeping the tools in good order and getting them on-site:
Gordon Hobday - For all his efforts repairing and maintaining our stock of tools. Also for towing the trailer many weekends of the year. Peter Warren - For towing the trailer most weekends of the year and the much needed assistance of his trusty chainsaw at many of the tasks during the year. Andy Cleaves - For being our other chainsaw operator who we do our best to keep busy. Chris Huggill - Who has now also taken on trailer towing duties. Co-ordinator’s report for 2008/09 cont’d . .
Now I must ask for a vote of thanks for our task leaders, without whom there would be no tasks: Andy Cleaves Peter Warren Brian Thompson Richard Meatyard Chris Huggill Shiela Johnson Don Simcock Tania O’Keeffe Doug Kite Val Simcock Gareth Morgan Viv Endecott John Marsh And finally, and most importantly, a vote of thanks to all the many people who make the effort to come out on task and their hard work which is greatly appreciated by the many organisations for whom we do work.
Conclusion This being my first Coordinator’s report I hope I have included all the relevant details and if I have forgotten to thank anyone then please forgive me and accept my thanks now. I look forward to being able to report an equally busy and productive year at the next AGM. Richard Meatyard
DCV ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held at Winfrith Village Hall 4th July 2009
Present: Kevin Cook President and 12 DCV members
1. Apologies: Viv and John
2. Minutes of last meeting w ere read and agreed.
3. The Co-ordinator’s report w as read out, a copy w ill be included in the next new sletter. The work of committee members and volunteers alike w as acknow ledged.
4. The Treasurer’s report w as read out, the account for the financial year ending 31st March 2009 is £3789.77 in credit. A copy of this report w ill be included in the next new sletter.
5. Chris and David w ere thanked by Brian for their support w ith helping him w ith publicity. There is still a need for more publicity in the east of the county.
6. The Orchis link w as described; it seems to be w orking w ell. 18th September DCV members are due to visit Orchis. All are w elcome to join in.
7. President’s speech – the variety and quality of articles in the newsletter w ere praised, thanks was given for the time and effort involved. The role of charities to maintain the local environment w as emphasised. Thanks w ere given to all volunteers but particularly to those that are long term. The President particularly praised Ian for all the contributions he has made to DCV as Co-ordinator and Treasurer.
8. Election of officers – Treasurer and Co-ordinator needed to be formally elected.
Co-ordinator - Richard w as proposed by Brian seconded by Doug.
Treasurer - Chris w as proposed by Brian seconded by Doug.
Both members w ere duly elected. The remaining members of the Committee w ere re-elected. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR 1 APRIL 2008 TO 31 MARCH 2009
INCOME £ EXPENDITURE £
Tasks Tasks
Workdays 214.50 Food 186.37
Mileage 105.60 Mileage 435.90
Chainsaw - Chainsaw 105.00
Food and Accommodation 80.00 Accommodation 20.00 ——— ——— Subtotal 400.10 747.27 ——— ———
Membership Equipment
Subscriptions 294.00 Tools and Trailer 567.93
Donations 185.00 Gas 28.64 ——— Mobile phone 30.00
Subtotal 479.00 Sundries 26.74 ——— ——— Donations to Orchis Fund 14.00 Subtotal 653.31 ——— Donation to Equipment Fund 200.00 ——— Publicity and Administration
Newsletter 586.70
TOTAL INCOME 1093.10 Leaflets 281.75 ——— Other Publicity 413.97
BTCV Membership/Insurance 540.75
BALANCE Sundries 18.18 ——— Opening Balance 6277.25
Total Income less Total Expenditure (2487.48) Subtotal 1841.35 ——— ——— Closing Balance 3789.77 Social for Orchis Visit 265.15 ——— Workdays (Reimbursement to 73.50 Hampshire CV) ——— TOTAL EXPENDITURE 3580.58 Chris Huggill, Treasurer ———
Symondsbury Sheepwash
Symondsbury - one of the largest parishes in West Dorset, bounded by the Marshwood Vale to the north and the World Heritage Jurassic Coast to the south. Situated one and a half miles west of Bridport, the Parish of Symondsbury is also within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The River Simene, its source just north of the parish, meanders through Symondsbury and meets with the River Brit, to continue its journey to the sea at West Bay. The landmark of Symondsbury is Colmers Hill.
Much silting up was caus ed by storm water from road and brook s o the emergency gap was opened up by Mike Pegg as he and John Sharood had found water flowing over the wall. SHEEP TALES Baaa
The above photograph is reproduced from Within View of Colmers, A Chronicle of Country Life in the Simene Valley, Dorset, by Charlie Waterfall FENCING
The exact line of the fence and Tests have shown that the best tensile fences, much less on materials required are decided by method for all posts is a tractor steel netting. Use a fencing maul the client before the task. A site mounted post driver. or post hole driver with one visit may be necessary if the The second best method is person each side and another to fence is new, long or complicated driving the post into the ground check it’s still vertical. The use of in any way. with a post hole driver or fencing hard hats and safety goggles is It’s always a good idea to involve maul. recommended. the volunteers, task leader and The least best method is to dig client right at the beginning of the the hole and tamp the backfill. Once the posts are in place the day and for everyone to know the Tests in have shown that only attachment of the wire can begin. overall plan. 90kg of force is needed to pull out The purpose of the fence, either Walk the proposed line with the a dug and tamped post but to keep in cattle or sheep volunteers and some of the 900kg of force is needed to pull decides how many strands to materials and mark out the out a hand driven post. attach. Wires are normally beginning and end of the fence Straining posts have a strut built strained from the top down, as and then any changes in onto them to help take the strain. the top wire has the most direction, then we can determine leverage on the post and if if we have enough materials. strained last could cause the Straining posts can be up to other wires to slacken. On 100m apart but 50m is preferable. uneven ground don't fasten off the wire before stapling to sufficient intermediate stakes, or you may find the wire is too taut Usually the strut is placed near and cannot be pulled up or down. the top of the post and angled into For the same reason, always the ground at 45 degrees. A leave the wire strainers in stronger method is to place the position as long as possible, and Most post and wire fences are for strut about one third down and do the cutting and fastening of keeping animals in, where they sloped at an angle of 25-30 the wire as the last stage, so any can safely graze.The top wire of degrees. The bottom of the strut adjustments in wire tension can a fence should be of a heavier can be dug in by hand and placed be made. grade and able to take more onto a thrust plate (this can be a strain if an animal leans over or a large stone or stake driven in). tree falls onto it. In soft ground such as wet Straining posts are large and meadows the straining post will need to take the strain when the benefit from being driven in wires are tensioned and any another one third and it may be strain in a change of direction. advisable to obtain extra long They need to be put into the posts. ground about half of their height. Tasks: Intermediate posts can be driven Intermediate posts should be 15/16 Aug Fencing Throop Islands in about one third of their height. driven in up to 10m apart on high 19/20 Sep - Fencing, Ryewater
Sheepwash Project: Eggardon & Colmer’s View July 2009, Symondsbury Notes - Phil Davies “DCV were in action on June 6th and 7th - D-day for an attack on the interesting agricultural archaeology in Mill Lane. Initial clearing work allowed the problems to be revealed and a good deal of excavation showed where solid stone bases exist for work, hopefully by a digger. There is a good deal of brickwork repair to be done and a start was made. George Jeans looked in and talked of sheep washing 60 years ago. Rebuilding of the outside wall will await decisions by the Council and Highways. At present, road drainage depends on the artificial gap. “
Update from Phil : “Much pointing achieved and a good deal of brick work remains. Some large lumps could perhaps be replaced en bloc. Excavation by digger and spraying of sedge plants make a big difference. If Pineapple (Estate is run by the Pineapple Organisation) are happy I will enlarge map and explanatory details for passing hikers. It could be displayed at edge of project in a waterproof format. -Splendid DCV effort as usual but no bonfire . . . “ PUBLICITY
DCV Publicity Officer - You may also get enquiries from in a studio talking to the Brian Thompson those who wish to use DCV - presenter on air as if he was these are easy as you can pass sitting next to you, while he is The post of Publicity Officer is them on to Doug. actually in another studio over 60 what the individual makes of it. miles away, or doing an outside In my case I started off gently by Circulating leaflets round the broadcast on the task site when writing one article for a local Dorset libraries - we are lucky you are actually in a park close newspaper and gradually built it here as the main library in to the studio. u p a s e xp e ri en ce g re w. Dorchester will send leaflets However I could not do half of round all Dorset libraries, if you Wri ting a rti cle s fo r lo ca l the functions without the help of sort and label them in small newspapers and talking to members. DCV Publicity is bundles. This does not cover reporters from those papers is really a team with a named l i b ra ri e s i n P o o l e a n d not such a hard job thanks to the person and a number of willing Bournemouth but fortunately information Doug gives on the volunteers who do a lot in the there are members who are task programme. background. willing to help with that. Having worked on many of the they distribute leaflets Optional functions are: task sites helps in having background knowledge of the help at events To arrange for the DCV display boards to go into local libraries work we are doing. find events suitable for for a couple of weeks once a DCV to attend year. . Looking for suitable events in ph oto cop y an d p rin t Dorset to promote DCV, this cap tion s fo r di spl a y Give interviews on Local Radio usually starts off by hearing of an boards, and o cca sionall y give a n event somewhere in the county. plus many more different interview on TV when they come functions to help publicity out to film something of interest I have been very lucky in that run smoothly to them, usually after you have DCV members are willing to give sent a press release to the TV up a day or more to help me out The primary function of publicity station. at these events. Their help is is to promote DCV by acting as a really appreciated. contact for people who are Radio interviews are more thinking of coming out on task . interesting as you can be sitting Brian Thompson
The DCV publicity team will be out at three events in August :
Sat 8 August RNLI Lifeboats Country Fayre and Vehicle Rally at Winterborne Stickland Sports Club near Blandford 11am to 5pm
Sun 16 August Kinson Common Community Open Day, Poole Lane, Kinson 11am to 5pm
Sat 29 August Stock Gaylard Oak Fair, Kings Stag near Sturminster Newton 10am to 5pm,
We aim to arrive at all these places around 9am to give us time to set up our display. The more helpers we have the easier it will be - if you would like to give a hand, please let us know .
N.B. LESS OF THE D‛URBERVILLES, MORE OF THE DCV‛S
“Those arrows do come in rotten,” said Reema, “but he useful,” volunteered an older only wanted you Jess.” volunteer, springing to life. “Much good it‛s done me,” muttered Jess. “And he never The task leader welcomed liked our names.” them. “Did you follow our arrows?” he said. “Your names?” said our leader. “What‛s wrong with them?” “Oh no,” said Marian, “We‛re lost. We‛re on our way back “They‛re Norman.” from church but the River Frome was flooded.” “So what‛s your last name?” “Why do you say you‛re doomed “Dorset.” because of Alec? W hat‛s he “And we didn‛t have Angel to carry us across it this time,” done to you?” “But that sounds like a local put in Izzy. name.” Jess explained that it “Oh he‛s done bad things, was originally D‛Orsette. ma‛am. And there‛s a curse in “Look at all those ancient tools you‛ve got!” exclaimed Marian. my family. I‛ll never be free of “We like Normans,” piped up “Us farm girls can do wonders it until I‛m free of him.” someone. “We have links with a with them.” similar association in “Well, we‛re free of him now, Normandy.” but if he comes back, just “Er yes, well Gordon does do an amazing job at keeping them shout and we‛ll all come and get “They‛re very clever,” Jess restored, long after most rid of him.” went on. “You admire Norman people would have given up.” So wisdom?” “There‛ll be no need, sirr,” said work resumed, the addition of these three Wessex country Jess, “I‛ll do it myself.” And “Er, well he‛s getting on a bit, girls making for a happy mix of from the look on her face it isn‛t he?” was clear she meant it. old and young, male and female volunteers all together. “Jess won‛t understand that,” Just then came the sound of laughed Izzy. “She grew up in a girlish laughter as three young The tools expert was in a mood very strict community. She‛s women, looking rather for reminiscing. “They remind never watched television or dishevelled, appeared from the me of three girls I met in July seen a film. That‛s why she direction of the swamp. “Jess!” 1934.” However, as talk talks so different from the they cried excitedly. “Is it inevitably turned to the rest of you.” really you?” subject of Jess‛s partner, the jollity could not be maintained A change of subject was felt “Marian! Izzy! Reema! However for ever. to be in order. “So does Alec did you find me?” like your name, Jess?” “We all fancied him something “I should bloomin‛well think he ASSOCIATION does. His family pinched it off ours.” ORCHIS
“Ah yes,” the publicity men On Friday 15th May DCV members lined up at the Poole Ferry murmured to each other, Terminal to welcome our guests from the French conservation remembering the landowner‛s group Association Orchis who were visiting us for the weekend. French-sounding surname. “Well if he follows you - - ” The last Newsletter contained two articles headed "Tyneham - Dorset's ghost village" and "Tyneham Farm Project". We were “It‛ll be the last thing he ever privileged to work on the farm project on Saturday and Sunday does,” snapped J ess, with our French visitors. The work was varied and some quite disappearing into the scrub with heavy (and dirty) but it was all carried out in a happy a firm grip on her lopper. atmosphere. Even the weather was good to us. Later in the afternoon Matt, a young volunteer, saw and heard On Saturday evening whilst our guests and some DCV members something moving nearby. “I enjoyed a short walk and visit to the pub others slaved in the think that bloke‛s back,” he said kitchen of Church Knowle village hall. A banquet (almost) was in a low voice. “We‛ve got to duly prepared and enjoyed by all. rescue Jess.” The others gathered round. “Where is she? On Sunday it was back to Tyneham before our guests returned Jess!” But she was nowhere. to their hosts homes to shower, change and collect belongings “Jess!” They searched and before enjoying an evening meal at the home of two DCV shouted fruitlessly for half an members. The evening was cut a little short when our guests hour. suddenly realised the boat left 30 minutes earlier than they had planned so after a bit of a scramble they were safely delivered “Can someone go back to the back to the ferry terminal. fire?” said the task leader. “Make sure it‛s under control.” Following a not too smooth journey to Poole a much more pleasant return crossing to France was enjoyed by our visitors. “I‛ll go,” said Matt. He cautiously returned to base. The fire was We will be travelling to the members of Association Orchis in just smouldering now. In the Normandy for the weekend commencing Friday 18th September. fading light, ash covered all the We normally travel to Cherbourg on Friday and return Sunday surroundings, including a pile of evening. All we need to do is buy our own Ferry ticket which at clothing with a pitchfork the moment is advertised at £40.00. Accommodation, travel, embedded in it. Half sticking out food and drink are provided by the Orchis members. Oh, they from the clothing was the ashen will also arrange some conservation work for us. face of a youngish man. “No! No!” cried Matt. All DCV members are welcome to come along. If you would like to join us please phone or email me in order that I can make the The others came rushing back. necessary arrangements. If you have any questions or queries “Oh my God!” they gasped. regarding the trip please don't hesitate to contact me. This is “What‛s she done?” always an enjoyable experience.
I look forward to hearing from you. Throop Islands Local Nature Reserve
Grid Ref: SZ 114959 Size: 3.67 Ha Location: River Stour beside Throop Mill, Bournemouth
Description: Two meadows either side of the weir pool. The old mill (not open to the public) and weir structures add interest. Habitats: Riverside meadows and riverbank habitat
Wildlife: The islands lay beside one of the original un-straightened stretches of the River Stour. These quiet back waters are home to a range of dragonflies and damselflies, otters, barn owls and water birds such as Reed bunting, Kingfisher and Water rail. Good riverside bird watching.
Ownership & Management: Dorset Countryside, the Ranger Service of Dorset County Council.
Access: A small car park is provided off Throop Road. A short roadside walk leads to the old mill and a surfaced public footpath around the mill and over the weir pool. A public footpath crosse s one of the islands (Hurters Mead) leading to the Stour Valley Way, linking with the wider countryside. Access to the meadow on the second island, Mill Ham, on the other side of the weir pool, is for anglers only being closed to the public as a wildlife haven.
THROOP ISLANDS: FACTS
Dorset Countryside has on site: · A range of nest boxes · A pole mounted Barn Owl Box (in partnership with Dorset Hawk & Owl Group) · An artificial Otter Holt built with help of pupils from Bicknell School
The Islands’ grasslands need management through a combination of cutting and cattle grazing. New fences and gates are needed before safe and appropriate cattle grazing can take place. Unfortunately, cattle have come onto the islands due to people forcing a field gate open. A new vehicle gate and angler’s access will be installed to control cattle grazing.
Ringwood & District Anglers Association leases fishing rights from the Malmesbury Estate and control most aspects of the fisheries.
The Malmesbury Estate posse sse s shooting rights and exercises them in winter as for the past 100 years.
The Environment Agency has input into river management including flood alleviation and responsibility for both weirs, one nearest the mill, the other over the main river channel.
Haygates a milling company based near Northampton, involved in flour milling since 18th century, are the owners of Throop Mill Throop Mill. Throop Mill . . . timeline
1086 Throop Mill, value 14s 6d, stands on the water’s edge, not a river but a swamp filled with fish, eels and an abundance of wild duck. Pigs graze fields around the Mill, turned out for 6 weeks pannage, to fatten on acorns and beech mast. Rushes are gathered, smuggling supplements many a meagre income. Local villains and surfs live in mud and wattle huts, shared with animals in cold weather.
1200 Monks from Quarr Abbey (Isle of Wight) rent and work the Mill, providing also a source of education and healing for the poor villagers.
1282 Following a bad harvest and the Crown having asse ssed taxes at 1 guinea p.a., the monks have had enough, time for Christchurch Priory to take on the lease.
1321 The value of the Mill drops to 4s p.a., Quarr Abbey grants away all rights.
During intervening centuries millers at Throop work as tenants for the Manor of Christchurch. The river is no longer a swamp but food is still plentiful from the waters. The Mill is rebuilt . . .
Late 1890s changes take place that remain current. The left side of the old cob mill is removed and the red brick feature built up.
1900 The right side of the mill becomes complete, garages and barns added later.
Armfield Engineering are commissioned to install the 50” turbine at a cost of £165. Augers and bucket elevators transfer grain to the top of the building via an extensive belt and pulley system powered by water. That machinery remains today, with many dressers, shakers, cleaners and the rolling system which ground the flour.
1975 Designated Grade II listed building.
1981 Throop Mill closes down when its last miller Cecil Biles (known to every one as ‘Cis') dies at the mill. Cis, who loved the mill, worked there for the greater part of his life.
During the Mill’s history, Spanish and Portuguese coins were found in the stream, indicating the international trade based at Throop. Biscuits were made at the Mill for use on ships bound for Newfoundland, where some of the local villagers went to make a new life.
. . . . Throughout its working life the Mill ground flour and animal feed, was a source of sustenance, teaching and healing from the Monks who, together with their labourers, worked long hours, suffering back ache and lung problems from the dust. . . . Today, a warmth radiates from this beautiful building linking us with our past.
D C V DIARY July - October 2009
DATE TASK SITE CLIENT WORK Sunday 26 July DCV Toolstore, Wool DCV Tool maintenance
1 & 2 August Swyre or Puncknowle, Drystone walling West Dorset
Sunday 9 August Hambledon Hill, N Dorset Natural England Ragwort pulling
15 & 16 August Throop Islands, Dorset Countryside Fencing Bournemouth
Sunday 23 August Tyneham MoD Tyneham Farm Various stream works project
Sunday 30 August Symondsbury Symondsbury Estate Repairs and re-pointing sheepwash, W Dorset Sunday 6 Upton Wood, Poole Purbeck District Council Scrub cutting September Thursday 10 Pub Meal Sailors Return Phone Helen to book September East Chaldon asap
Sunday 13 Golden Cap Estate, W National Trust Pond clearance September Dorset
19 & 20 September Ryewater Farm, W Dorset Plantlife Fencing
26 & 27 September East Cliff, West Bay, W Dorset Countryside Path works Dorset Thursday 1 October Bring a dish - + bottle at Doug’s @ 7.45 p.m.
Sunday 4 October Purbeck Ridge Purbeck Keystone Gorse cutting project Thursday 8 October Planning Meeting at Chris’ @ 7.45 p.m.
10 & 11 October Ashley Heath Dorset Countryside Hedgelaying
Sunday 18 October Upton Wood Purbeck District Council Rhododendron cutting
24 & 25 October Springhead, Fontmell Springhead Trust Grass ampitheatre Magna, N Dorset
Sunday 1 Nov ember Upton Wood Purbeck District Council Bluebell planting
DCV mobile: 07929 961532 (task hours) web site: www.dcv.org.uk
Remember to keep a note of the DCV mobile phone number - there could be occasions when a task may have to be cancelled at the last minute, or may have to finish early, e.g. in adverse weather conditions. If you are coming out later in the day, it may be wise to phone to check the task is still running. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009
Sunday 26 July: Wool Tool Store See map from 27/28 June 2009 Tool maintenance.
1 & 2 August: Swyre or Puncknowle, West Dorset Swyre or Punckowle OS 194 Over the years we have had quite a few tasks in and around these two villages. Both villages are on limestone, a hard rock that was used for building stone and which gives the villages in this area their Meet & Park in Village by Red distinctive character. In the surrounding countryside there is a Phone Box mosaic of drystone walls. These were built centuries ago by clearing limestone rocks from the land to provide sturdy, stockproof fields. They need occasional maintenance and many are now in a state of partial collapse, their usefulness having been replaced by barbed wire and other fence types. We shall be restoring a length of wall, thereby helping to maintain the local character of the countryside. Experienced volunteers will be on hand for guidance. NB: There are two walls requiring work and at the time of writing final arrangements had yet to be made on which will get our attention. Rendezvous in Swyre village centre near the phone box (for the Swyre wall option just a short walk away). If need be we shall travel on to nearby Puncknowle for a wall bordering the village recreation ground. Late comers look out for the distinctive DCV notice board near the phone box for directions.
Sunday 9 August: Hambledon Hill, North Dorset Hambledon Hill OS 194 August comes but once a year and so too does our annual trek over this ancient hill fort and National Nature Reserve hunting out the dreaded yellow flower. Yes it’s a ragwort pulling weekend, though only a Sunday this time. In some years ragwort has become rather hard to find at this site and only a few scrawny specimens have been pulled. But Meet & Park continued vigilance is needed if livestock are to safely graze In Lay-by the flower rich grassland without a risk of poisoning from this ST 838 123 plant. In case the ragwort proves elusive the reserve manager has thoughtfully lined up some baby scrub cutting. One can hear the groans of enthusiasm already! This is important work though, helping to keep the grassland in tip-top condition for wildflowers, butterflies, glow worms and many other beasties. And sweeping views across the Blackmore Vale provide one of the best backdrops to any of our task sites. NB: If it’s hot remember your sunscreen – there’s not much shade from a baby scrub!
15 & 16 August: Throop Islands, Bournemouth Throop Islands OS 195 This weekend takes us to a new and unusual task site. The two Meet & Park at Throop Mill islands – Hurter Mead and Mill Ham – are formed by the River Car Park Stour as it divides into three channels near Throop Mill. The mill appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was still in use as late as 1972. The islands are linked across the river by a series of bridges that form part of the Throop Loop on the Stour Valley Way footpath. They are vulnerable to winter flooding and this has protected their character as old riverside grasslands. Now the area is valued as a Local Nature Reserve. The grasslands need to be managed in a traditional way by hay cutting and livestock grazing to conserve their interest for plants and insect life. To help manage this we have been asked to carry out fencing work around the site. Fencing involves a variety of jobs, each easily learned, and there will be some experienced fencers on hand to show how it’s done. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009
Sunday 23 August: Tyneham, Purbeck Tyneham OS 194 & 195 This weekend sees the last of our of summer tasks at the deserted village of Tyneham on the Lulworth army ranges. The village was requisitioned with surrounding farmland for training use by British forces and this inadvertently set up a capsule into the past with time and nature slowly taking over. Several of the collapsing cottages have been kept from completely falling apart and now form a popular tourist destination. Over the summer we have been helping with a landscaping project behind the former Tyneham Farm that lies just beyond the village. Here there are old banks and some stream channels that lead past the buildings and across a stone pitched ford. The ford is in a hollow and seems to have been used as a sheepwash in days gone by. We have built a sleeper bridge and are part way through naturalising the re-excavated stream channel above the ford with left over stone from nearby stone wall restoration work. On this task we shall continue working on the stream which is usually dry in summer. There are also some jobs managing the vegetation, and we shall possibly have a go at getting the last of the silt out of the bottom of the old ford. NB: Park at the far end of the visitors car park (SY 882 802) – the old farm lies beyond over the bridge, up valley to the left. An element of the task could involve getting muddy and maybe wet in the old ford, so bring suitable gear if this is to your taste.
Symondsbury OS 193 Sunday 30 August: Symondsbury, West Dorset This task continues our work from earlier in the summer on clearing out and restoring an old and now long disused sheepwash. Basically a sheepwash is a walled hollow Meet & Park In Yard with an entrance ramp built into a small stream and was used to hold up the flow and form an animal ‘wash’. Before shearing the sheep were washed to clean the fleece of dirt. The cut fleeces could then fetch a better price. In time other ways were found to clean the fleeces once cut and around the country the sheepwashes fell into disuse. At Symondsbury there are some repairs and re- pointing to do on the side walls and, guess what, probably more silt to clear out from its bottom. NB: Bring wellies and clothes suitable for a messy time.
Upton Wood OS 195 Sunday 6 September: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole border We return to this urban fringe site for some early practice with our loppers and bow saws. These should be razor sharp after the earlier tools task. More about the cutting practice later. The site contains mature woodland with a few streams that pass through among the undergrowth, some scrub and grassland clearings. There is even a small heathland with a relic area of mire. We have made a number of visits cutting scrub from the mire and beating back rhododendron in the woodland. This task takes us back into the mire which at this time of year should be at its driest. Our job for the day is to cut out invading birch and Meet & Park bramble among the tussocks of purple moor-grass, mostly on the On Pony Drive mire edge. The more athletic can venture out into the wetter ground. So come along and enjoy the usual banter around our tea and coffee breaks, all with lots of biscuits. NB: Bring wellies if you have them as even on the mire edge the ground can be squidgy. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009
Sunday 13 September: Golden Cap Estate, West Dorset
Golden Cap OS 193 This area has been described by the National Trust as a jewel in the crown. And justifiably so. Here the coast path climbs steeply to the summit of Golden Cap – at 191m the highest point on the south coast. On a clear day there are sweeping Meet & Park views along miles of dramatic coastline. Turn inland and there At Farm SY 407 929 are small, secluded valleys, each with a patchwork of fields and hedges. Here small streams tumble down between the fields, some ending with a leap over the cliff to the beach below. So it’s a great privilege to have tasks in the area. On this visit we shall be getting in close to a pond or two. Some have become host to unwelcome invasive plants such as parrot’s feather and Australian swamp stonecrop. These foreign aquatic plants can rapidly colonise ponds and replace the native vegetation. Eradicating them is near impossible as the smallest fragment can re-grow. But clearing out their excessive growth every few years or so gives our native, less robust plants more space to survive and grow. NB: This will be a wet task for most but with some dry land jobs also required. Bring your wellies or waders, wear old clothes and be prepared to get wet.
19 & 20 September: Ryewater Farm, West Dorset Ryewater OS 194 An autumn visit to this remote and tranquil valley of old grasslands and steep, wooded streamsides is a welcome Meet at DWT Car Park inclusion to our task programme. The area escaped the worst ST 515 066 of modern agricultural improvements and this enabled a host of wild plants to survive. Now the area is secured as a nature reserve for all to enjoy. On this occasion we have been asked to renew sections of fence, carrying on from our task earlier in the summer. Some of the fence has collapsed, more has become rather rickety due to the posts having gone rotten in the ground. So the task will involve quite a range of jobs: taking down bits of fence, putting in new posts, joining up new fence, straining it tight and stapling up. Of course there will be some experienced DCV fencers around to give guidance if required. NB: There is no parking at the reserve. There is a small car park at an adjacent DWT nature reserve at ST 515 066. This is just beyond the house on the bend of the lane a few hundred yards north of the access track to the Ryewater Farm reserve.
East Cliff West Bay OS 193 26 & 27 September: East Cliff, West Bay, West Dorset
It’s a few years since we last had a task on the coast path above Dorset’s dramatic sea cliffs. So this weekend is a treat as it takes us to the very edge of the Jurassic Coast. East Cliff rises to over 100 feet in a great domed curve between the mouths of two rivers – the Brit and the Bride. From the Meet & Park top there is a sheer drop down to the beach. The cliff itself Freshwater has thin bands of hard sandstone sandwiched between Caravan Park thicker bands of softer, more easily eroded rock. From afar SY 478 899 this gives the cliff a distinctly striped appearance. At the top there is a very different rock, limestone, containing ammonite fossils preserved from a Jurassic sea some 180 million years ago. We shall be working on the coast path high on the cliff top, probably carrying out repairs to the path surface. NB: Look out for DCV direction arrows on the way to the caravan park reception centre. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009
Sunday 4 October: Brenscombe Hill, Purbeck Brenscombe Hill OS 195 This task take s u s back to a location high on the Purbeck chalk ridge that we first visited earlier in the year. The site offers a bird’s eye view across the old village of Corfe Castle nestling beside the gap through the ridge. Then eastward there are distant views to Swanage and the sea. But all this scenery Meet & Park mustn’t distract us too much as we have taken on a challenge On Roadside to cut yet more gorse that seems bent on taking over the SY 988 826 valuable, plant rich grassland. Fortunately the gorse is quite small, albeit one year’s growth taller than when we last saw it, and has no chance against our ruthless use of bow-saws and loppers. NB: Parking is rather limited at the Rempstone junction but there is more space down the side lane. To improve your fitness for the task there is a walk from the junction up and over the ridge to the task site. Just think of the view at the top!
10 & 11 September: Ashley Heath, East Dorset Ashley Heath OS 195 The once extensive heath at Ashley has disappeared under housing and conifer plantation, but the name endures. In earlier times the heath gave its name to a halt on the original railway from Southampton to Dorchester. The line was axed by Dr Beeching in the 1960s. Now Ashley Heath stands marooned, a surprisingly well kept station where Meet at no train passes. But people still visit as the old route has gained new Forestry life as the Castleman Trailway - a path and cycleway linking Commission settlements along its way from Ringwood to Poole. Last year we made Office our first visit to this site, where a young hedge marches down the centre line of what could have been a section of double rail track. A quick mechanical cut would have solved the problem. But this is rather harsh and we were asked to lay a section in the traditional way as a feature of the Trailway. This autumn we return to do some more. The hedge is young hawthorn, ideal for anyone wishing to polish up or learn the skill. Experienced hedgelayers will be on hand for guidance.
Sunday 18 November: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole border Our visits over recent years have involved digging out and reforming the boundary ditch and banks, cutting scrub from the mire and beating back a familiar foe – rhododendron – in the woodland. On this visit there will be more scrub bashing, with rhody once again the target. See 6 September task for map and more details.
24 & 25 October: Springhead, Fontmell Magna, North Dorset Springhead OS 183 Our last task in this programme is the most unusual. We have been invited into the grounds that surround a small lake fed by crystal clear water gushing up from the chalk below. Some of our older hands may remember coming here before, and not so long ago on William’s star watching night. More star watching could well be on the agenda for those staying the night (read on), but during the day we shall be landscaping a slope to form a small amphitheatre of grass covered ledges for people to sit on. The existing grass is to be lifted with a turf cutter, then our muscles are required to cut out a series of ledges, one above the other. For those less inclined to build up their biceps there is the tricky job of relaying the turf back over the ledges. We have been promised great hospitality. Free lunches and an opportunity to stay overnight on Saturday in a bunkhouse in the grounds. Meet & Park Springhead NB: By Thursday please let Peter know if you are coming and if you ST 873 169 wish to stay overnight so we can let our hosts know the numbers for catering etc. Later and you may need to bring your own lunch.