Dorset Countryside Volunteers

No 146 November 2008 - January 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 since 1972 doing practical work in the 10.00a.m. – 5.00p.m. approximately countryside that would not otherwise be done Lunch and drink/biscuit breaks are included Volunteers are male and female, from all walks of life and from all over the county FINDING DCV . . . Work is seasonal, e.g. woodlands in winter - hedgelaying, coppicing; in summer dry stone Maps with the task programme (at the back of this walling, clearing ponds, footpath work newsletter) show the locations of task sites Organisations we work for include: Look for DCV’s yellow arrows near the worksite or Wildlife Trust, Heritage Coast Project, Natural red and white tape or the DCV information board England, Herpetological Conservation Trust may show an explanatory note We work at weekends throughout Dorset If unsure of the worksite try to arrive by 10.00 to No super-human strength or special skills meet other volunteers. The worksite may be some needed, or attendance on every task or even for way off. Lost? give us a call on 07929 961532 the whole weekend - any time is a bonus

FOOD, DRINK & ACCOMMODATION DCV offers . . .

Occasionally, we hire a village hall, cook supper, Practical care for the environment visit the local pub and sleep overnight - karrimats Opportunity to learn new skills - training given available! N.B. Book with Peter a week in advance Use of all necessary tools The charge for a weekend, including Saturday Accommodation on weekend tasks evening meal, lunch Saturday and Sunday, Beautiful countryside, social events, fun & breakfast on Sunday and accommodation, £3.00 companionship DCV provides free hot/cold drinks and biscuits during the day - bring your own mug if you wish YOU should bring . . . On residentials, all volunteers are welcome to come for the evening meal and pub whether working both Stout footwear (steel toecaps if you have them) days or just one Old clothes (wear layers) Halls offered by DCV provide separate male and Tough gloves (we have some to sell/lend) female toilet/washing and changing facilities Waterproofs, sun block, sun hat, insect repellent If staying overnight – a change of clothes, sleeping bag (air bed/camp bed if you wish) Note: If you have a medical condition or allergies Up to date tetanus jab of any sort, please carry a card and bring Goggles, if you wish, to protect your eyes necessary medicines. If you wish, bring this to the attention of the task leader. Please complete the Reaching a task . . . “in case of emergency” details at the end of the If you need / can offer a lift, phone Ian Hay or newsletter, and bring on task. Peter Warren 3 days before a task Lifts from Wool station (toolstore is nearby) All youngsters are welcome, but should be accompanied by a responsible adult. EDITORIAL

First, many thanks to all contributors to the newsletter and we are pleased to see that there are more of you this time.

A warm welcome to all those who came out with DCV for the first time during the past quarter. We hope very much that you enjoyed the experience and hope to see you again.

Perhaps the major DCV task during the last quarter was the Cerne Giant event which stretched over a whole week, one of our members being there for two weekends and most of the week days. We were joined by members of Association Orchis for the second weekend and for all concerned, it was a truly remarkable event thanks to everyone who turned out. We would also like to thank those lapsed members of DCV who made a special effort to come out for this historic occasion - it was good to see them. Photos enclosed but for a better look, check out the website www.dcv.org.uk

DCV has a wide range of skills from hedgelaying and woodland craft to wall building and repointing (not to mention revitalising giants). A lot of these skills are seasonal and we all suffer from skills fade. This quarter we have hedgelaying and coppicing, so come along and sharpen up those skills.

Autumn drawing into winter highlights the cyclical nature of our world. Early man was ruled by these events, darker evenings, colder temperatures, nature shutting down, but these of course have less effect on modern life. DCV volunteers on task have first hand experience of these events and are enriched by the experience, rooks roosting in a winter woodland, early winter sunsets, intense but short lived, sitting round the glowing embers of the fire, winter‛s night sky where the stars seem close enough to touch . . and then slowly, the gradually lengthening days when swollen buds and catkins appear. These are some of the reasons we go out on task, and we hope to see you there. Introducing . . . Kevin Cook, DCV’s new President

I was delighted to be asked stretched for 32 years. My to infiltrate Madonna‛s to be DCV‛s new President. first conservation jobs (so estate on the strength of a I think I first met the few in those days) were bat survey! group back in 1984 or so and short contracts on Brownsea have organised tasks over Island (pay £16.00 per At this stage I am still the years on Brownsea, week) in 1976, and Durlston thinking about my Green Hill Down and in 1977. In 1978 this lead contribution to DCV but I Goathorn Peninsula. Pretty to the heady heights of hope to be as active as I can sure that Pete Warren has becoming warden of a (though no more scrub been around all that time wonderful coppice wood, in bashing for me). I enjoyed too, and the same shorts….. Essex followed by, in 1982, the summer AGM and being manager of a unique meeting many of you. In a As a form of introduction, marshland reserve there, changing world there is here is a potted history of before returning to Dorset something very heartening my career! My first tasks as head warden of the about this organisation, as a volunteer were opening Brownsea nature reserve in quaint no doubt, with a up paths in Leigh Woods 1984 for the then Dorset touch of ‘Dad‛s Army‛ near Bristol, cutting scrub Naturalists‛Trust. This was somewhere perhaps! on Brean Down, and all sorts one huge adventure but Certainly a group that I feel of work around the Mendips after 16 years of all sorts at home with and that and Somerset Levels, all in of interesting, often clearly, in its own inimitable the 1960s. What an era to madcap, and occasionally way, does such a great job spend one‛s time cutting sensible tasks on the island, to help landowners conserve scrub! In 1974 I completed I eventually discovered the our county. Thank you for a degree in botany and escape tunnel in 2000. Since asking me to join you. zoology then embarked on a then I have worked as a career in wildlife freelance ecologist, widely conservation that has varied work, even managing PUBLICITY .... (OR LACK OF)

ublicity! It's a beautiful display boards, I users, but it w as good to get dirty w ord, isn't it? turned my attention to across to people how useful Well my mum designing a poster, thus our w ork is in this w onderful thought so - it w as displaying to the full my county, how diverse and yet P computer skills (lack of). With how fragile this man-made the kind of thing she associated w ith a "common" lots of help from Don and Val landscape is and how neighbour w ho would do and one or tw o non-DCV carefully it needs to be anything to get her friends, who thought the managed. stagestruck daughter noticed. whole thing barmier than a The girl did get a s mall part in Burnley barbecue, the posters Yes, publicity can be fun. I Corrie, so it w orked, sort of. eventually w ent up library may not have made much And some people say all notice boards - or, in many impact yet - Viv's emails to publicity is good publicity, so I cases, shoved inside folders potential clients generated should be proud to have my betw een Help the Aged and lots of new work w hile mine name associated w ith it. Alcoholics Anonymous (does produced none that I know of, that say something about our and Brian generated lots of D'you fancy topping up membership?) publicity for us in relation to libraries w ith DCV leaflets, I the Cerne Giant project w hile was asked last w inter. What Then suddenly it w as my contact w ith the could be easier, I replied. summer. Ah, salad days, Daily Echo and 2CRFM Thus the long vacant post of picnics on the beach - and produced no mention of DCV. "Publicity East" w as filled by a struggling w ith a canvas But I love doing my short vacant man from the gazebo at a w et and w indy little bit, preferably on task, at east. It w as soon clear that country fair. Our displays at the sharp end. Still a relative there w as more to the job these events are becoming an new comer after 4 years in than leaflets, important as annual fixture thanks to Brian, DCV (w here are all the young they are. In fact "more" can sadly incapacitated earlier this people w e should be mean anything in a publicity year but now thankfully attracting?) it has rekindled job - the sky's the limit. Well making steady progress. He my long-dormant love of no, our budget's the limit. did everything he could, w ith nature and, like all the old- And my technical skills (lack a little help from David and timers on our back page, I of). So bang goes that idea of me, kicking off w ith the expect to be in it till the day I building our ow n rocket disastrous Castle die. Any chance of our emblazoned w ith DCV to light washout, and w inding up w ith budget stretching to a up the night sky. As the more clement Stock mausoleum by that time? and Gaylard Oak Fair. Hard to libraries w ould no longer give say how successful w e were Chris Hugill houseroom to Brian's in recruiting new members or Fontmell Down

ontmell Down comprises "drove" ways for herding by replacing the herb-rich 145 acres managed by animals. At times population grasse s with allegedly more Dorset Wildlife Trust although growth led to the ploughing of nutritious mono cultures of Rye just over half the reserve is "terraces" in the side of the Grass. In the early 1930's Rolf owned by the National Trust. downland for arable farming but Gardiner bought many acres of The whole area lies on chalk the need for this marginal arable land which he described as taking its name from the village land usually vanished, leaving "derelict". He covered the of Fontmell Magna, in the valley only the tell-tale lynchets cut into downland with plantations of below, where the Greensand the hillsides. Conifer and Beech trees. The emerges. Fontmell comes from flatter tops of the chalk downs the name of the stream, in Celtic Apart from such occasional were soon either ploughed or put "Funto Mailo", meaning spring by interruptions the normal pattern under improved grasses. the bare hill. The rain falling on of sheep grazing continued Between the two World Wars the chalk percolates through its unbroken until the late there was a golf course with porous textures and appears at nineteenth century. By late bunkers on the down. In 1976 Springhead at the point where Victorian times in the 1850's and the National Trust and Dorset the Greensand is exposed. 1860's large flocks were driven Trust for Nature Conservation up on to the Downs during the (as the DWT was previously known) were able to buy the The main area of the reserve is a day; at night they were brought remnants of the once extensive horseshoe shaped wedge of land down to the valleys where they downlands which now consisted on steep slopes of chalk downs. were penned into hurdled of those slopes too steep for The valley bottom, known as enclosures and their dung used tractors, and which also included Longcombe, is a typical dry to enrich the arable land. a large section of Rolf Gardiner's valley. Both this and the flat tops Although mutton and wool were Conifer and Beech plantations, of the downland are in private useful to the farmers, dung was called Cat's Whisker. ownership. The reserve, a Site the key element in the rural of Special Scientific Interest economy; so much so that sheep (SSSI) within an official Area of have often been described as Left to itself Fontmell Down Outstanding Natural Beauty "four-legged dung carts". would turn first into scrub and (AONB), offers far-reaching Thousands of years of hard then into woodland which would views across the Blackmore grazing created a short Sheep's destroy the unique plant and Vale. Fescue Grass turf in which a insect community just as surely complex web of "dwarf" plants, as ploughing or improved ants, butterflies and other insects grassland. This would happen Fontmell Down gives visitors a was created. very rapidly because the decline chance to encounter the now in numbers of sheep and the vanishing world of the man-made collapse of Rabbit numbers, as a ecosystem, begun when early But from the late nineteenth result of the introduction of Neolithic farmers cleared the century all began to change: Myxomatosis in the 1950's, was woodland and began to graze steamships enabled overseas already leading to the expansion sheep. Visible remains of the corn, mutton and wool to of scrub and a coarse grass later Celtic or Iron Age people, undermine Victorian farming. called Wood False Brome. At who continued the grazing The number of sheep began to the same time the cultivation of tradition, can be seen in the drop. The two World Wars the flat tops of the downs strange cross dyke s. convinced British Governments accentuated the leaching of lime Archaeologists have argued that greater self sufficiency was from the top of the slopes and constantly whether such dykes needed. Subsidies became thus enabled Gorse to gain a had military significance or were available for improving grassland foothold and expand its small clumps of Beech. Equally abundant is the variety of influence. Since 1976 the Trust butterflies. Longer grass favours has tackled these conservation The hay field was once improved species like the Marbled White, problems by : but since its recent management Small Skipper and Meadow as a hay meadow, with a cut in Brown, while in an amphitheatre acquiring its own sheep, July, numbers and varieties of of shorter turf during late May Horned Wiltshires and wild flowers have steadily and early June may be seen the Beulahs; improved. Originally the field amazing "lekking" behaviour of was surrounded by coniferous the male Duke of Burgundy encouraging autumn and woods of the Gardiner estate. winter cattle grazing by butterflies. On sunny mornings as many as five males may be neighbouring farmers, which The finely tuned grazing helps to break up coarser seen setting up their territories. programme ensures a never- grasse s and make small bare Frequent battles occur between ending display of colour from areas enabling rarer plants to rival males which fly vertically up germinate and raising the early Violets through the yellows into the air and then drop like ground level temperature for of spring Cowslips - so named stones. As they endeavour to sun loving ants and because new small plants grow return to their territorial patches butterflies; in bare patches created by they encounter other hopeful bovine hooves - to darker male territory claimers and more using moveable electric shades of Yellow Rattle and fences making it possible to battles are triggered off. Hawkbit, BirdsfootTrefoil and Cowslips are the foodplant of the maintain a variety of grass Horse shoe Vetch. Later, the heights and so help a whole Duke of Burgundy, but only spectrum shifts to blue-purple range of different types of plants in long grass or part with Field Scabious, Harebells, plants and insects to survive; shade are selected for laying purple Clustered Bellflowers, because the others become organising rotational cuts of Knapweed, Devilsbit Scabious, brown and withered by the end scrub and Gorse which retain Purple Marjoram. The striking of July when the night feeding open downland, create areas bright blue Viper's Bugloss is caterpillar is trying to mature. of bare ground where plants present, which Nicholas like Violet and Wild Culpeper’s 1653 herbal Towards the head of the valley is Strawberry (foodplants of the described as, "an especial good for Common Blues and Dark Green Fritillary and the remedy against the biting of the tiny black and white Grizzled Dingy Skippers which use Viper". Another plant to be found Skipper) can re-seed and Birdsfoot Trefoil as their larval in bare earth, or where scrub has which ensure that there are foodplant. Small Coppers and recently been cut, is the Great areas of new scrub as well as unlikely species such as Marsh Mullein with tall spiky yellow old; Fritillaries may also be seen flowers and woolly white leaves. here. setting up a regular system of Signs of eating on the leaves monitoring the down to indicate the impressive white, On warm, south facing downland ascertain whether the black and yellow caterpillars of where turf is short, may be found management is having the the Mullein Shark. In May tiny the most demanding downland desired results. purple-spiked flowers of Early species, the Chalkhill Blue, the Gentian appear and later, in On the north side of the road Adonis Blue and the Silver- August-September, white spirals below the lay-by, the land spotted Skipper. Chalkhill Blue of the Autumn Lady's Tresse s, belongs to the Gardiner estate caterpillars feed by night and the one of the smallest orchids. and was originally covered by Adonis Blue by day, both on Other orchids present include Conifer and Beech woodland Horse shoe Vetch. The Silver- Early Purple, Twayblade, planted in the 1930's. In 1994, spotted Skipper caterpillar eats Butterfly, Bee, Common Spotted, work began on clearing most of Sheep's Fescue Grass. Both Fragrant, Pyramidal, the Broad the woodland and restoring it to plants are plentiful, but both the White Helleborine and tiny the original chalk downland. Adonis Blue and the Silver- yellow-green or red-brown Frog Remnants of the Gardiner spotted Skipper need woodland have been retained in Orchids. exceptionally warm conditions to Hedgerows or patches of scrub Beetles. These shiny black survive in Britain's cool wet in May and June are favourite beetles with "corkscrew" feet climate. Grass of less than 2cm spots for male Green have no wings to escape from in height with plenty of bare earth Hairstreaks; a very slight tap on predators but instead exude and the sort of warm hollows the hedge will cause one to take "blood" from their mouths and formed by the hooves of cattle flight. His green leaf camouflage joints if handled. are needed. In addition the is very convincing so watch Silver-spotted Skipper females carefully as he returns to his Around the reserve, notice the are reluctant to lay on Sheep's perch. big humps which are ancient Fescue Grass which is being or Yellow Ant colonies, conclusive has recently been nibbled to Cats’ Whisker Wood is home to proof that the downland has not ground level by sheep. Chalkhill Speckled Woods whilst in July been ploughed for hundreds of Blues are fortunately more especially there are Ringlets and years. Each ant hill usually has tolerant but still require a habitat the chance of a tantalising its own little local colony of small managed by a strict grazing glimpse of bright red as a day- plants. regime. Silvery-blue Chalkhill flying Scarlet Tiger moth flits males fly in July and August, and across the path. In August fluffy Fontmell’s wonderful bio the turquoise-blue Adonis males pink flowers of Hemp Agrimony diversity is an excellent in June with a second brood in attract large numbers of Red illustration of what can be August. Females of both Admirals, Peacocks and even achieved through a finely species are brown. Adonis Blue the occasional Silver-washed balanced management caterpillers have honey glands Fritillary. The annual bird song programme - and DCV has that attract ants, tentacles like a survey shows that five species of played a part in that programme chimney sweep's brush, thought Tit (Great, Blue, Marsh, Coal and for many years, creating rides to contain a chemical which Long-tailed) nest regularly within and glades in woodland and activates ants, and another set of the wood. In most years there removing gorse and scrub from tentacles which, when rubbed are also Goldcrests downland slopes. We will be together, purportedly produce, "a Treecreepers, Green working here again on Sunday song of eerie loveliness", which Woodpeckers and at least one 16th November, and also at probably serves to attract pair of Tawny Owls. Down any other downland reserves in ants. The sounds are inaudible side ride or clearing Foxes and Dorset. Townsend to human hearing but a careful Roe Deer may be seen. Sunday 28th December, search can uncover large Lankham bottom Sunday 25th clusters of ants and the Spring or early summer brings January 2009. caterpillar that they are "milking". out the Bloody Nosed

Fontmell Down RICHARD‛S GIANT PIECE

for the duration WW2 when he Then, with spades and Earlier this year the National was deliberately covered over, mattocks, we broke-up the Trust, who own the Cerne Giant, stood out proudly on his hillside top layer of chalk, invited all willing volunteers to above the village, until a recent contaminated with grass, come and help them with the series of wet summers and lack weeds and seeds, until the scouring (cleaning) of the Giant. of grazing caused him to fade clean chalk was reached. The DCV, never shrinking violets into unwanted modesty. Debris in the trench and on when it comes to hard work, rallied the surrounding turf swept- to the call and over the 4 days So how do you clean a Giant? up. spent working on the Giant we The outline of the Giant was learnt about his history, previous originally created by cutting away The resulting spoil (turfs, soil scourings and why he was now in turf and topsoil to reveal the & chalk) was loaded into urgent need of rejuvenation. underlying chalk. With time the sacks, until they weighed turf and topsoil creep back, about 20Kg, and carried the The Cerne Giant is today a lichen and algae start to flourish 100m or so up the 1:3 slope famous feature standing proud in on the chalk which also becomes to load them into the trailer at the Dorset landscape but this has impregnated with self-seeding the top of the hill. not always been the case. He weeds and grasses. To simply slumbered in relative anonymity re-cut the outline and excavate Once the clearing out or the until the C18th when an the contaminated chalk would outline was well underway, anonymous letter, first published in result in a trench of ever other teams started on the the Royal Magazine, sparked the increasing depth so having re-cut process of refilling the interest of various antiquarians, the outline the trench has to be trenches with clean chalk. resulting in a series of articles refilled with clean chalk. The The clean lump chalk arrived speculating about the origins of presence of two, now disused, in a trailer at the top of the the Giant or Rude Man as he was chalk pits near the Giant suggest hill to be bagged, carried also known. A lack of written this used to be done with local down and spread out in the records means that this debate chalk but for the scourings done trench to a depth of about continues to the present day and within living memory the chalk 30mm, the moisture adjusted his origins seem destined to has had to come from further a by sprinkling with water if remain lost in the mists of time field, the chalk on this occasion needed and then pounded until a non-destructive way of came from a quarry near down with a tamper to create dating him can be found. Salisbury. a solid surface, that would The first record of a scouring of Only those who joined in the resist the wear and tear of the Giant comes from 1694, then work and suffered the aching the coming years. little is known until the C19th by muscles will be aware just how Depending on the depth of which time he is recorded as being hard the work of scouring the the trench this was repeated scoured every seven years or so. Giant was, so what did we do: a further 2 to 3 times until the In 1880 the Giant was inherited by outline was filled to within ½” General Pitt-Rivers and in 1897 First, working in small teams, of the top. was given a make-over in honour with spades and under the expert guidance of Michael of the Queen’s Jubilee. In 1920 The last step was to go (NT warden), we cut-back the Giant was given to the round the outline with a the turfs to reveal the original National Trust by the General’s vibrating plate to “polish” the sons. Since then he has, except outline. surface, so that the new thankfully on this occasion no contained rather more innuendo chalk doesn’t run off in the one was hurt. than usual. rain. The work attracted numerous While it will be another 7 years The work was originally curious visitors, some of whom before his next scouring he will be scheduled to take 9-10 days and took advantage of the rare receiving regular maintenance in thanks to the ideal weather and a opportunity to climb the hill and the coming years from the NT tremendous turnout of walk within the Giant’s wardens and volunteers. The enthusiastic volunteers of all compound, not normally open to issue with grazing has now been ages (4 - 85+) was completed in public access because of resolved and the site will grazed 9½ days. problems with damage and for a few weeks in spring and erosion. It also attracted the autumn and I jest not, when these th Work started on Friday 12 when attention of both National and leave the site a small group of NT the Trust wardens went out and international media. On Monday volunteers will be seen crawling strimmed the outline and did the afternoon the BBC News team over the Giant on their hands and preparatory work on-site. On was there and the work on the knees with dustpan and brush in Saturday the work of cutting out Giant featured on the National hand to clean to restore pristine and clearing started, continuing news on Tuesday: http://news. cleanliness to the outline. These until Coffee time on Wednesday bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7618377.stm short periods of grazing are when the last of some 1000 bags and on Wednesday John Craven carefully controlled to keep the of spoil, was carried up to the was there filming for Countryfile. grass under control while allowing waiting trailer. The work of re- On one occasion a film crew the wild flowers on the site to chalking started in earnest on from Germany TV arrived to find flourish and with the occasional Tuesday morning and was finally everyone having a tea break trim will hopefully keep him fresh completed at lunchtime on which they decided was typically and bright for many years. Sunday by which time some 22 British and must be filmed. The tonnes of chalk had been carried work wa s also filmed with a time- Unlike other chalk figures whose down and pounded into the lapse camera and you can see outlines it is believed have change outline with around 180,000 his transformation throughout the slightly with each scouring, the tamper blows. (Sorry by week: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ opinion is that the he has changed Saturday, having been pounding england/7630518.stm little in past centuries although away for 3 days, I was on auto- there is evidence that his, pilot and distracting myself by Working on the Giant was a truly previously more proportionate, working out silly statistics) remarkable experience, most virility was enhanced somewhat days there was 15-20 volunteers during the scouring in 1908. The work was done largely working on the him. They came Today the Giant measures 55m without mechanical assi stance from near and far, including a head to toe and the upraised club for safety reasons, using number of people visiting the brings his total height to 65m and mechanical aids it would have area on holiday who decided to yes we did measure the vital been difficult to comply with join in for a few hours, a large statistic, just under 9m. modern safety legislation. For group of NT volunteers who the scouring in the 70’s a came down specially from Finally, if you are planning to visit tramway was used to transport Yorkshire for a couple of days the Giant then, in my opinion, the materials and on one occasion and many from Cerne itself and best time to go and see him is late the winching rope failed and a around the local area. Despite on a sunny afternoon when the fully ladened trolley escaped the hard and repetitive nature of descending sun gives him a down the hill and is reputed to the work everyone remained golden glow and the lengthening have cleared the trees at the cheerful with a more than a little shadows pick-out the sculpted bottom of the hill by some 50’, competition between the various features his anatomy against the landing well into the field beyond teams for prime spots on the dark sward. spreading its load across a large Giant’s anatomy and as you Richard Meatyard area in a large white stain, might expect the banter Coppicing

Deal w ith hung up trees Site Visit immediately, never leave them. Don’t let anyone w alk The client and task leader w ill underneath them. Ask for walk the w ork site to gain a help if necessary. clear idea of w hat needs doing on the day. Clear Brushwood They w ill decide how large an through. Support the w eight area can be coppiced in the of the stemw ith one hand Clear the site but don’t tidy it. time and w ith the volunteers whilst saw ing with the other. Dead w ood, both fallen and available; w hich individual tree standing, is an important species are to be felled or to Stems up to 6in (15c m) habitat. be left; w hat tools w ill be diameter should be undercut Brushw ood (the tops of the needed; w hat is to be done on the front (side facing trees) can be either burnt or with the products. direction of fall) before being cut up and scattered or made cut through from behind. into a dead w ood fence to Products to consider making prevent deer from browsing include bean-poles, pea-sticks, On larger stems, cut out a the young re-grow th. The fence palings and posts and felling sink (w edge) in the client w ill indicate this. If hurdle making materials front. burning, even a s mall comfort fire, make sure there are no Cut at an angle of 30 to 45 Note the boundary of the area branches overhead or trees to be coppiced. degrees from the horizontal or trim the stump to this nearby, the heat can kill them. Fell Coppice Re-growth afterwards. It is important that that bark is left intact and tight Look carefully at the tree to to the w ood to avoid disease, decide w hich w ay to fell the die back and ensure next individual stems. year’s re-growth.

Check: Leave a stump 4 to 8 inches The lean and likely high. In some cases it is direction of fall easier to cut higher than this Ease of cutting at the base where the stems are more Intertw ining tops separate and the w eight less Space to drop the stems Bowsaws 21in & 30in - used Time spent on this w ill save problems and avoid accidents. for tree felling, scrub cutting, hedgelaying and coppicing. Remove any young grow th Push and pull the saw with around the outside of the stool. one hand holding the handle Cut as close to the ground as near the blade. The blade w ill possible. and to trim the stump cut on both push and pull afterwards. strokes. Hold the w ood Make certain that no one is in steady w ith the other hand the dropping zone before During the early stages many well clear of the saw in case trees w ill get hung up. To starting to fell. Alw ays be the blade jumps out of the cut. untangle these, lift the butt aw are of those around you. Saw w ith easy relaxed end and pull it briskly aw ay. strokes using the full length of Stems up to 3in (8c m) If the tree is too heavy to lift, the blade. diameter can be cut straight lever it up and w inch or roller Hedging

Site visit Laying the pleachers Staking

On the day, w alk the hedge to The first group of pleachers Stakes should be about 1.5in gain a clear idea of w hat you cannot be laid into the (4cm) diameter and long will be doing. standing hedge alongside, so enough to be knocked about they should be cut and laid 18in (50cm) into the ground, Note the age and size of turned out to one side so and still project a few inches timber in the hedge and they are available to fill the (about 10cm) above the top of decide w hat cutting tools you gap left w hen the last the hedge will need. pleachers of the adjacent section are laid. Put the stakes in as you go so Check the source of staking that the bushy tops of the and binding materials and Ensure the pleacher you are pleachers can be w oven in determine w hat you will be about to lay is not tangled in betw een the stakes as you lay doing w ith the trimmings and the rest of the hedge. them. any rubbish. Cut so that the pleacher w ill Selection of Pleachers bend at betw een 1in and 4in (3-10cm) above the ground. If you are forced to cut higher, Pleachers are the stems that cut a notch in the stump to are cut and laid encourage low resprouting. Cut out all dead w ood and Cut through far enough that excess live w ood, especially if the pleacher w ill low er into out of line w ith the hedge, but place w ithout forcing, but be sure to keep sufficient leave sufficient bark and spare pleachers until you are sapw ood uncut to allow the certain they are not needed. pleacher to survive. Cut cleanly, split stems die. Alw ays remove Elder. It grows vigorously and Billhooks. Used for suppresses other plants, but hedgelaying, coppicing cannot be laid properly. snedding - cleaning up felled timber. Whenever there is a choice Normally used one handed betw een young and old but the longer Yorkshire pleachers, lay the young ones billhook can be used w ith both because they re-sprout better. hands. Never w ear a glove on the billhook hand. There is Try to use relatively evenly less grip and it may slip. spaced pleaclers. Cut or trim just above a bud Keep the billhook sharp, little when possible to encourage and often. A blunt blade can Lay pleachers from different resprouting. bounce off the w ood. Keep a rootstocks to increase chance safe working distance from of success. The pleacher must slope up other volunteers. Cut w ith the aw ay from the stump or the grain and not across. Trim excess brush from the sap w on’t flow. Lay all nearside of the hedge. Cut pleachers to the same angle if Never leave a billhook stuck upw ards if using a slasher. possible. in a stump, someone may trip and fall on it. Lay it flat on the The stump may be trimmed ground near to w here you are with a saw. Pendant le mois de septembre, le géant de herbes et de l‛ancienne chaux, les Cerne Abbas a été remis en état grâce à des volontaires ont « redessiné » le géant. volontaires venus de différentes D‛abord, ils ont versé de la chaux dans le associations : des membres du National sillon du dessin, puis ils l‛ont tassée grâce à Trust ainsi que des membres du DCV (Dorset des dames afin qu‛elle résiste aux Country Volunteers). Huit membres de intempéries. Le travail était surtout l‛association Orchis, basée en France à Saint difficile à cause du degré d‛inclinaison de la Vaast-la-Hougue (50) ont passé le week-end colline. des 20 et 21 septembre dans le Dorset pour Toutefois, ce chantier s‛est effectué dans participer à ce chantier. la bonne humeur et sous un soleil radieux. Après avoir nettoyé le géant des mauvaises

In September 2008, the giant of Cerne Abbas has been rehabilitated thanks to volunteers belonging to different associations: members of the National Trust, members of the DCV (Dorset Country Volunteers). Eight members of the Orchis association (based in Saint Vaast-la-Hougue, France) also spent a weekend in the Dorset on September 20th and 21 st to take part in the site.

After cleaning the giant from weeds and from former chalk, volunteers “redrew” the giant. First, they put chalk in the furrow, and then they squeezed i t with beetles in order not to go with bad weather. The work was especially hard because of the high degree tilt of the hill.

However, all this work was done in the good mood and under a bright sun. DCV SOCIALS

Thursday 21st August Thursday 20th November Meal at the Silent Woman, an Skittles/DVD evening at the enjoyable evening where a Drax Arms Bere Regis 7.15. Will tasty meal was enjoyed. The Blight will show the DVD of his walk was skipped it was so wet. latest travels. This will be followed by a buffet (£5) and Wednesday 3rd September game of skittles. Book with Bring a dish to Don & Val‛s - Helen. excellent food and company made a good evening. Saturday 20th December Christmas meal probably at Wednesday 15th October Winfrith Village Hall. Bring a Welcome to new member Val bottle, £5 and your contribution who, with five other DCV to Santa‛s Lucky Dip (value £2). members made the most of the Also bring Xmas music, ideas for midweek special menu at the games. Please contact Helen to Raj Poot restaurant in book 01202399938. Dorchester. Thursday 22nd January DCV Social Events Autumn/ Soup evening with Helen. Sample Winter 2008 a range of soups then watch a DVD. Charge will be £3 to cover cost of soup, bread etc - any surplus to go into the Orchis fund. Please book and bring a bottle.

D C V Newsletter

Your newsletter has been green for a year or so now in that it is printed on recycled paper and we have also been saving on paper by emailing the newsletter to those who are happy to receive an electronic version instead of a paper copy. Don’t forget to let Peter Warren know if you would prefer to receive your newsletter electronically.

In the past DCV has purchased safety goggles for use on task but unfortunately they have deteriorated too quickly and become unusable.

If you feel you would like to use safety goggles on task please bring your own so that you may look after them and prevent them from becoming too scratched.

Products from the countryside - if you would like some bean poles, pea sticks, plant supports - come on out this autumn/winter. D C V DIARY November 2008–January 2009

DATE TASK SITE CLIENT WORK 8/9 November Peascombe, Dorset Wildlife Trust Hedgelaying Nr

Sunday Fontmell Down, Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub cutting 16 November North Dorset

Thursday 20 November

22/23 November Great Ovens, Herpetological Pine & birch cutting Nr Wareham Conserv ation Trust

29/30 November Piddles Wood, Dorset Wildlife Trust Coppicing Nr

Sunday Parley Common (West) Herpetological Pine & birch cutting 7 December Nr Conserv ation Trust

13/14 December Creech Heath (South Herpetological Pine cutting east), Purbeck Conserv ation Trust

20/21 December Tadnoll, Nr Wool Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub cutting

Saturday Christmas Dinner Probably Winfrith Village Book with Helen 20 December (see socials) hall - check Sunday Townsend, Swanage Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub cutting 28 December

Sunday Coombe Heath, Purbeck Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub cutting 4 January 2009

Thursday DCV Planning Meeting 7.45pm at Viv’s 8 January

10/11 January Common, Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub cutting West Dorset

Sunday Ryewater Farm, Plantlife Scrub cutting 18 January West Dorset

Thursday Soup evening & DVD At Helen Gorman’s - £3 Book with Helen 22 January Sunday Lankham Bottom, Butterfly Conservation Scrub cutting 25 January Nr Maiden Newton Trust

Saturday Broadcroft Quarry, Butterfly Conservation Scrub cutting 31 January Portland

DCV mobile: 07929 961532 (task hours)

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 : November 2008 - January 2009

8 & 9 November: Peascombe, West Dorset Peascombe OS 194 This task ta kes u s back to a small nature reserve on the edge of the picturesque village of . The reserve lies on a steep southerly facing slope that descends to a tributary of Meet & Par k at the River Asker. There is an intimate mix of small grassland Field Entrance fields bounded by big hedgerows and wet woodland in the SY 498 944 valley bottom. The reserve is quite new and is in need of management to maintain and encourage the plant and wildlife interest. On our first visit we made a start on traditionally managing one of the hedges by laying. This seemingly rather destructive practice encourages a thick regrowth of the hedgerow shrubs, and for a few years allows light into the hedge bank which benefits the wild flowers. On this return visit we have another hedge to tackle in the same way. We usually work in pairs, with some experienced DCV hedgelayers on hand for guidance. So if this would be your first or umpteenth go at hedgelaying there’s a good day out to be had and with a warm bonfire.

Sunday 16 November: Fontmell Down, North Dorset Fontmell Down OS 183 After a period of absence we return to the high scarp of the Wessex Downs in the north of the county. Here the chalkland drops abruptly to the Blackmore Vale along a north curving arc dissected by deep dry valleys and rising to the high promontory of Melbury Hill. On a clear day the view west goes on forever. The incredibly steep slopes defied attempts at agricultural improvement and they have retained some of the finest chalk grasslands in Dorset. These support a great diversity of flowering plants and many species of butterfly. On this visit we are in the most southern part where some sheep grazed Meet & Par k at pasture is loosing out to expanding scrub. So we shall be Quarry Car Park sawing and lopping the offending bushes and testing our skill at ST 884 168 slopeside bonfires. NB: Meet at the ‘quarry’ car park.

22 & 23 November: Great Ovens, Purbeck Great Ovens OS 195 Not so long ago this heathland reserve was a regular fixture in our task programme. Over the years we helped change the hillside part of the reserve from one of encroaching pine to the traditional open heath of the past, though with a light scatter of retained pines. The rare reptiles are now doing just fine and there are also lots of Dartford warblers. On the lower ground much still remains to be done. So, we’re back. Our task is to cut pine and birch, and perhaps a thicket or two of dense gorse. And there’s no shortage of cutting to do. But with lots of us we can soon make an impression! Come along for all or just part of Meet & Par k a day. It’s a chance to get into shape using our ever sharp At Work Site Work Site bowsaws, enjoy company and chatter around a hot bonfire and South of Usual achieve something worthwhile for Dorset’s amazing heathlands. Car Par k NB: the task site lies to the east of the road at the Sandford end of the reserve, some distance south of our usual car park shown on the map. We hope to gain closer access for parking through a roadside gate nearer the Sandford roundabout – look out for DCV signs and also bonfire smoke if you’re late! D C V TASK PROGRAMME : November 2008 - January 2009

29 & 30 November: Piddles Wood, North Dorset Piddles Wood OS 194 Despite some past replanting with conifers, this is one of Dorset’s most important ancient woodlands. Ancient woods can be traced back to early records and are probably descended from the Meet & Par kNear original wildwood that clothed the country after the last Ice Age. Mill for Onward Under the scattered canopy of trees there is a shrub layer of Travel hazel. This was traditionally coppiced (cut just above ground ST 801 135 level) every decade or so to produce a supply of poles and twigs for hurdles, thatching spars, bundles for fuel and so on. Such products are no longer in demand. Now areas of hazel are cut for conservation, to keep a mosaic at different stages of re- growth for sunny, woodland gap loving butterflies, birds and plants. In other areas mature hazel is important for the rarely seen but incredibly cute dormouse. We shall be coppicing an area of hazel. Limited Car Parking NB: There is only a small parking area at the Piddles Wood Space near meeting place. We have been asked to rendezvous at the Work Site Girdler’s Coppice car park at around 10.00 and car share to ST 792 127 Piddles Wood. Those arriving late can chance on there still being space at Piddles, otherwise it’s a walk from wherever you can park on the lanes – please be careful and safe.

Sunday 7 December: Parley Common (West), East Dorset Parley Common W OS 195 This heathland area has retained a feel of natural wildness that belies its urban location. In winter the area has a dark, brooding presence, but in summer it becomes a sheet of purple flowering heathers dotted with the yellows of late flowering gorse. Many of the specialist heathland animals are present like sand lizard and Dartford warbler, as well as a Meet & Park on Lone Pine Drive host of uncommon insects and other creepy crawlies. The hilly ground on the west side is less open having become invaded by pine. We shall be taking on smaller pine and also birch with our usual devastating use of loppers, bowsaws and bonfire. And with Christmas looming on the horizon here’s a stre ss free way into the festive season with an early chance to capture your very own ‘wild grown’ Christmas tree. Pine was the Christmas tree of bygone days. The needles stay on for weeks giving plenty of time for some relaxing tree dressing before the Christmas panic sets in.

13 & 14 December: Creech Heath (South-East), Purbeck Creech Heath SE OS 195 This task take s us into the ball clay mining area of Purbeck. The clay deposits have been worked for generations, in past times by underground mining and by seemingly haphazard surface excavations. These old workings have often left their mark on the land as a chaotic terrain of mounds, hollows and ponds. Over the New Meeting years heath vegetation has recolonised some workings, spreading Place Meet & Park back from adjacent heathland that escaped excavation. Such is By Track the case at Creech Heath and this visit takes us to an area now SY 931 838 secured as a nature reserve. But the heath vegetation and its rare wildlife have a fragile existence. Without management they can disappear under invading trees and scrub. Our task will be to rid an area of young pine in our usual ruthless way. We’re informed that there are many pine in good shape as Christmas trees. So if you missed the task last week here’s a last chance to get your very own ‘wild grown’ tree. We shall also be offering a warming bonfire and our speciality of fire boiled, charcoaled tea, all with lots of biscuits and chat - don’t miss out. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : November 2008 - January 2009

20 & 21 December: Tadnoll, Purbeck Tadnoll OS 194 Our Christmas task for 2008 takes us to a wonderful expanse of heathland and grass wetland reserve. From the high points there are all round views of the Purbeck countryside. Lapwing, a wading bird that is fast declining as a breeding species in the English lowlands, still frequents the cattle grazed grassland on the valley bottom. While on the slopes many of the special plants and animals of heathland can be found. Free roaming ponies help to keep scrub invasion on the heath in check and they also open up rank vegetation for more delicate species. But Meet & Par k even the ponies and cattle have a job keeping back some areas SY 792 875 of scrub. One such area is along a drain in the valley bottom where various scrubs are getting an upper hand. So we shall be giving the animal beasts some help with bowsaws and loppers, and a hot fire to enjoys drinks, lots of festive fayre and a catch up on all the gossip. NB: The task site is reported to be dry! Meet at lay by parking. Those that wish can take cars down a nearby track to the valley – look out for DCVs yellow signs. Another NB: Don’t forget our traditional Christmas dinner and party on Saturday evening at a local village hall (not to be missed - see Newsletter for details). There’s overnight accommodation with free lunches for those working on task. Remember to book with Helen.

Sunday 28 December: Townsend, Purbeck Looking for an escape from Christmas activities, then look no further. This task takes us to a reserve perched high on Townsend OS 195 the Purbeck limestone that dominates the coastal scenery west of Swanage. There are wonderful views over the town and bay to the chalk ridge of Ballard Down. Much of the reserve is tightly grazed limestone grassland which, like chalk grassland, is a rich habitat for wildflowers. A speciality Victoria Ave Swanage is the rare early spider orchid. In places there are thickets of Bay High St thorny scrub providing useful shelter for breeding birds and insects. The thickets need to be cut back occasionally to keep the grassland and to provide a variety of scrub at different stages of growth. We shall be helping out with our bowsaws and loppers, plus there will be Chistmas fayre in need of eating around a hot bonfire! Take a break and come Meet & Park in Priests Rd along for all or part of the day. NB: Although our task could Panorama Rd be in a sheltered hollow, the reserve is very exposed to wind and rain. Meet in Panorama Rd for onward travel if Reserve necessary. If late phone DCV mobile 07929 961532

Sunday 4 January: Coombe Heath, Purbeck Coombe Heath OS 194 We have a long history of tasks at this heathland reserve but they seem to come well spaced apart. So this may be the first time you’ve seen the site in our programme. The heath is hidden away in deepest Purbeck, at the end of a bendy lane that fizzles out to a rough track. On the hill dominating the reserve there are a group of tumuli (burial mounds), a reminder of the Bronze Age people who cleared the original wildwood leading to the formation of open heathland some 3,500 years ago. We shall be scrub cutting, probably birch on the lower slopes which, from past memory of this site, seem to have an insatiable ability to bounce back from our bowsaw onslaughts. But they do provide a good hot bonfire Meet & Par k to keep the January chill at bay. End of T armac NB: It can be quite muddy at this reserve, so come suitably Track shod. SY860 848 D C V TASK PROGRAMME : November 2008 - January 2009

Powerstock Common OS 194 10 & 11 January: Powerstock Common, West Dorset This has once again become a regular site for DCV tasks. In recent years great changes have taken place on the reserve. Introduced plantations of spruce and pine have been removed, dense scrub has been cut back and black Galloway cattle - a traditional breed - graze extensively over the area. Now unenclosed rough pastures with scattered trees mix with small woods and scrubs, and in parts there are larger woods enclosed from grazing animals with flower rich clearings. Perhaps more than any other reserve in Dorset this gives the landscape a medieval character. We Meet & Park have been asked to help with the scrub management which At Entrance to Reserve involves cutting back areas on rotation to provide a varied SY 547 974 habitat for plants, insects and breeding birds. NB: We may be working on wet ground so bring your wellies.

Sunday 18 January: Ryewater Farm, West Dorset A visit to this remote nature reserve continues to be something Ryewater Farm OS 194 of an annual pilgrimage. The reserve lies in a tranquil grassland valley along a wooded stream. The meadows had Meet & Park Near become very neglected over the years allowing a host of wild Reserve. plants to escape the ravages of modern agriculture. On Overflow Parking at becoming a nature reserve the neglect meant a good deal of Bracketts Coppice Car Park ST 513 074 work had to be done – scrub cleared and old fences removed. Much was done by DCV. Now the meadows are looking just fine, although here and there the scrub keeps returning. So on this visit we have been asked to give some of this scrub, and perhaps also some bramble, a good bashing to bring its take-over bid on a meadow to a halt. This is a great chance to discover a hidden part of Dorset’s countryside and beat the January cold by a hot bonfire. NB: The reserve lies beyond a very rough track with no parking. There is some parking at the new entrance to DWT’s Brackets’s Coppice reserve a bit further north along the lane. But the ground outside the parking place can be soggy, so if you’re late take care. It may be better to use the old car park shown on the task map and follow the lanes back to the reserve track – a pleasant walk of about 20 mins. Getting across parts of the reserve can be a wet experience for the feet – bring wellies or well waterproofed boots!

Lankham Bottom OS 194 24 & 25 January: Lankham Bottom, West Dorset Back in October we enjoy ed an amazing spell of Indian summer at this chalkland reserv e. The weather is unlikely to be so kind on this occasion. Meet & Park But on a clear winter’s day the reserve takes on other enjoyable though At Track more subtle qualities. Long shadows pick out the diversity of grassland ST 606 003 textures on the downland slopes and village can be seen nestling among the shelter of skeletal trees in the v alley below. As on the last visit the target f or our trailer f ull of tools will be the thickets of gorse and bramble. These hav e been insidiously expanding at the expense of the flower rich chalk grassland. These grassland plants host a div ersity of butterflies, many of which have become much less common due to a widespread loss of suitable habitat to more intensiv e f arming. Once again we expect to join v olunteers from Butterf ly Conservation. Last time they brought along an amazing cake, but there were so many of us that it didn’t last long. So stay away and perhaps with fewer of us there’ll be bigger portions this time! NB: Bring stout f ootwear and a good pair of lungs f or walking on the steep slopes.