Dorset

Countryside

No 181 August - October 2017

Volunteers 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 including since 1972 doing practical work in the breaks for drinks (which are supplied) and lunch countryside that would not otherwise be done (please bring your own lunch) • 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 walling, clearing ponds, footpath work • Maps with the task programme (at the back of this newsletter) show the locations of task sites • Organisations we work for include: Wildlife Trust, Heritage Coast Project, Natural • DCV website dcv.org.uk England, Amphibian Reptile Conservation Trust • Facebook • We work at weekends throughout Dorset • Look for DCV’s yellow arrows near the worksite or the DCV information board may show an • No super-human strength or special skills needed, or attendance on every task or even for explanatory note the whole weekend - any time is a bonus for us • If unsure of the worksite try to arrive by 10.00 to and for you! meet other volunteers. The worksite may be some way off. Lost? give us a call on 07929 961532 DCV offers . . . (after 10.00 a.m.) ring longer than normal

FOOD & DRINK • Practical care for the environment • Opportunity to learn new skills - training given • Use of all necessary tools • Please bring your own lunch • Beautiful countryside, social events, fun & • DCV provides free hot/cold drinks and biscuits companionship during the day - bring your own mug if you wish • Occasionally DCV may hold a shared lunch or YOU should bring . . . supper (aka bring a dish) when it is usual for people to bring some food to share around

• Stout footwear (steel toecaps if possible)

• Old clothes (wear layers) Long trousers and • Note: If you have a medical condition or allergies sleeves are best of any sort, please carry a card and bring • Tough gloves (we have some to sell/lend) necessary medicines. If you wish, bring this to the • Waterproofs, sun block, sun hat, insect repellent attention of the task leader. Please complete the • Lunch and some water “in case of emergency” details at the end of the • Don’t forget an up to date tetanus jab newsletter, and bring on task. “In case of

emergency details” can be inserted into a small key Reaching a task . . . fob which can be attached to your rucksack. Key fobs are available from Richard Meatyard. • If you need, or can offer, a lift phone Richard Meatyard or Peter Warren 3 days before a task • All youngsters are welcome, but should be • Lifts from Wool station (toolstore is nearby) accompanied by a responsible adult. • Travel links: http://www.morebus.co.uk/ https://www.dorsetforyou.com/travel-dorset/rail EDITORIAL

Looking back over the past quarter we’ve had some really great tasks and social events and we hope that plenty of you have got out there and made the most of them. The next programme too promises to be another interesting mix, so whilst you’re on a roll, make sure you put them in your diary. In hindsight, some of the most memorable and satisfying tasks have been the hardest, but these have also been the most rewarding and fulfilling, with a sense of achievement at the end of the day. Pop up socials are spontaneous events suggested on the day by volunteers - it’s a way of rewarding people who are out there doing the work on the day. So far this summer we’ve enjoyed spectacular coastal scenery on our guided walk down at the old Seacombe quarries, stopping off at the pub after a hard and hot day’s step building and a cream tea after walling.

DCV’s AGM will be on Saturday 9th September. The evening usually takes the form of very brief business, followed by a shared supper and finally a talk related to the work that we do. It is also a bit of a reunion with the chance to meet up with members seen infrequently.

With two pond tasks this quarter, just a reminder of the clean boot policy relating to ponds and watercourses. Please remember check - clean - dry wellington boots and waders before entering the water. This helps prevent spread of disease and non native plants.

We’ve had quite a few new people come out with the group recently and would like to welcome them to DCV—Richard, Geoff, Sharon & Ian, Serena and Akiko. No doubt parts of the DCV seem very strange, but you will get used to it and we do get to some wonderful places.

September sees our friends from Association Orchis arriving in Dorset for a weekend of shared work and socialising. This is the 20th anniversary of the link with Orchis, quite an achievement, so do come along to welcome them on the task and evening dinner.

DCV is a group of volunteers run by volunteers. Suggestions and input from members are welcomed and valued; as a group we are open to new ideas, ways of doing things and member involvement. Not everything always goes according to plan but we always do a good job and have a very good reputation among our clients of which we should be proud. Sometimes designated work is finished and sometimes not due to a lack of volunteers on the day, particularly some of the more remote tasks. Thanks are due to those who have been out to work this quarter, particularly on some of the harder tasks.

Co-ordinator’s report Richard Meatyard

This newsletter brings us to the intermediates, built a stile and breaks most chose to adjourn to late summer quarter heading into retensioned the wire. We are the nearby pub at the end of each autumn and with it a return to the expecting to do similar fencing day before heading homewards. repairs at South Poorton along more wintery tasks. Those that We have had a bit of a chequered with the more familiar thistle participated in some of the more history with our previous cutting that is our usual fare challenging tasks will confirm that boardwalk effort for the National there. summer definitely made itself felt Trust on Studland but on this during these. It has been a Our resumption of our walling occasion the planning was spot programme of mostly repairs as Swyre got off to a on. All the materials were on-site, constructional activities and rocky start. Rain greeted our decking boards cut to length and invasives, although once again arrival on site and got the simple floating design was Himalayan Balsam hasn’t progressively heavier as the day soon taking shape, a nice sinuous featured. For some this must be a wore on resulting in an early one to avoid the trees. With some relief but it’s a shame that all our finish to the day as even the additional help from some NT efforts along the Hooke are now stalwarts admitted defeat. volunteers on Saturday and willing for naught. Fortunately the weather was DCV members the two sections Our visit to for the kinder to us on our next visit and were completed in the two days. with near ideal conditions good “Great Dorset Beach clean” was Our other visit to Studland was for progress was made, previously well supported and the beach was our now annual Ragwort & BBQ. started sections completed and a much cleaner than previous years The Saturday numbers were new section stripped out ready so for the first time in several swelled by some of the NT’s the visit, coming up in this years we cleaned from the Tank regular volunteers and the programme. Traps, our traditional start point, prospect of the after task BBQ at most of the way down towards It has been awhile since we did Middle Beach. This resulted in an and even then any stone step building or early completion of the fields only had about half the usual repairs. Fortunately for the first of around the village and a short number of bags to show by the these tasks it was a near ideal beach clean to fill time until the end of the day. site, , giving us an BBQ. Perhaps as a result of this Work on our fencing project at opportunity to brush up on part Sunday numbers were just 5 for Higher Hyde Heath has been forgotten skills. The materials the attack on the fields around progressing well this year with 4 had been dropped off at the foot Greenlands Farm. of the flight to be built, ground visits, a total of 6 working days by Although Loscombe is a delightful conditions were perfect for then end of our last visit; the end remote site, one of the few places cutting step beds and the of the task is now in sight. All the in Dorset where there is no traffic excavated material ideal for back strainers are now in and if all goes noise, cutting and pulling thistles filling. Over the two days we to plan we hope to complete the under a blazing sun has rather stripped out and made good an task in the Spring next year, limited appeal and turnout was, old flight of 9 steps and built a although there is a slight possibility limited, shall we say. of a return visit in October. new flight of 33 steps on the new alignment. There was even time As always the last few tasks of the always has a wide for a little light path clearing and previous quarter are still to happen variety of jobs, something to suit sign replacement. when I write this but they will bring everyone and as is now traditional to an end our efforts on Ragwort, Step repairs at Seacombe the extended bring as dish lunch Thistles and walling at Swyre for proved to be more of a break for which it is an ideal this year. If you can’t wait until the challenge. Just a few new steps location. next newsletter you can find out but lots of wonky ones to be At Powerstock, one of our regular what happened by checking out realigned and large quantities of winter scrub bashing haunts, there the photo diary on the website and limestone surfacing to be was an out of season visit to under if you have any good photos taken bucketed down under a baking take fencing repairs. We replaced on task please do send them to sun. Even with extra drinks one strainer and a bakers dozen of me. 2017 DCV Trip To France (20th Anniversary of the association with Orchis)

It was that time of the year everybody else enjoying each ceremonial cutting of a again that 13 intrepid other's company. beautiful celebration cake for adventurers from DCV took our desert. We watched a the trip over to France to meet Saturday we awoke to a slide show of photographs with our friends from Orchis. mixture of sunshine and taken during our visit before The sea god favoured us and cloud. Today we were to work being invited to take part in a we had a pleasant journey. on the island. Again we took number of different board They were waiting for us at the Duck and were armed type games. A thoroughly the port and I was reunited with an assortment of tools enjoyable evening. with Sylvie Bourdan, my host and picnic items. We entered from last year. After loading the main courtyard where it Sunday morning was free to do up the cars, we were taken to was explained the as we wished and unsurprisingly St Vaast la Hougue where we undergrowth needed cutting many found their way to the then went by the Canard (duck, back in places to allow access magical shop called Gossellin. a boat with wheels) to the for the general public to all It looks small but goes back island of Tatihou (in the areas. We uncovered bunkers and back with many different pouring rain). We were given and gun emplacements and rooms. I was here for the refreshment and a history generally made it easier for freshly ground coffee, some lesson about the island and its visitors to get around. cheese and a bottle of wine. use over the years to protect from raiders (the English) and Lunchtime saw another Later, we all came together much later the Germans during wonderful selection of foods again at the home of Monique, the Second World War. We laid out for our picnic. The situated out in the countryside. were able to visit the museum early afternoon was used to A beautiful rambling old house on the island which had many generally tidy up which left which we were given the artefacts from sunken ships time to explore the gardens privilege to look over. It had found just off the coastline. outside the museum before many features and lovely we got the duck back. gardens. We were treated to a After settling in with our hosts lovely barbecue (local we got together for a meal In the evening we met sausages) and plenty of salads, provided by our hosts in a hall together again in the hall for I fell in love with the taboule in the town. Some local cidre a meal and drink! There was (cous cous/bulgar wheat (it's not cider) was also bubbly with nibbles first packed with flavour). Since provided. As I had been up before we sat down to guinea when I have been eating it since 5am, by 9pm I was ready fowl and dauphinois potatoes every chance I get, and a for bed and left early with and then there was the selection of drinks. It was then

th (20 Anniversary of the association with Orchis) cont’d . .

suggested we go for a walk. After saying goodbye to Just writing these notes that I After that wonderful meal, we those who weren't coming to made over the weekend is thought it a great idea to walk the port, we drove off. bringing back wonderful off the food and drink. It was These wonderful weekends memories. Why not get a good opportunity to see more are over so quickly. involved with the visit of of the countryside and chat Orchis in September (to again with new friends (I was still I am sure that DCV will try to celebrate our 20 year remembering some of my provide equally enjoyable association) and then join us school boy French). surroundings, food and next year for the trip to locations for those that visit France. It's well worth it! nd All too soon, we were packing on Friday 22 September up ready to be taken to 2017 to continue the 20 year John Saxty Cherbourg for the ferry. celebrations between Orchis and DCV.

Photos of the stone work of this Vauban fort & UNESCO World Heritage Site DCV - Orchis photo page DCV HATS are flying off the shelves

DCV can now supply a range of hats.

All hats have DORSET COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEERS embroidered in gold lettering.

Outback Sun Hat, cotton, £10 Adjustable draw-cord, mesh vents, neck cord, and poppers so the sides can be turned up (should you wish to turn it into a type of slouch hat to parade with a pitchfork over the shoulder!). Colour is Pebble (a light fawn as in the image) for use in the sun, sun factor 50. Other colours available, although not recommended as sun hats, are Navy Blue and Olive.

Ski Hat, Polyester fleece, £6.95 Typical colours: Dark Blue, Red, Green, Black. A warm winter hat but N.B. polyester fleece will be damaged by hot embers so be careful if you wear one near a bonfire. A note on fire safety from researching suitable hats: Acrylic is worst and liable to burst into flame. Polyester tends to melt and end up with holes and it can burn, although it seems less likely than with acrylic. Wool is best but Gareth has not been able to source a cheap wool hat that is also suitable for embroidery. We doubt that many volunteers would want to wear an expensive wool hat next to a bonfire.

Baseball Cap, cotton, £6.50 Adjustable size. Typical colours: Dark Blue, Red, Green, Black. Many other colours available on request.

Gareth will be keeping several hats in stock, but if you want specific colours they may have to be ordered with a 4 week lead time.

Cheers, Gareth (Milliner extraordinaire by appointment to DCV)

Clean boot policy

Check Clean Dry Don’t be the one to spread water-borne disease, or invasive aquatic species! We can inadvertently carry this disease and seeds on our wellington boots and waders. The fungal spores can remain viable for 6-22 days without a host under wet or damp conditions.

Please ensure your boots and waders are cleaned, disinfected and dry before entering any river or stream. Invertebrate of the month Parasitic wasp Gasteruption jaculator

The females of this parasitic wasp lays its eggs through its long ovipositor on the bodies of the larvae of solitary bees or wasps. On hatching, the young larvae will devour the grubs and supplies of pollen and any nectar. The adults grow to 10–17 millimetres long and can be seen from May to September feeding on cow parsley and other umbelliferous flowers. This one was filmed in our garden feeding on Astrantia. The head and thorax are completely black, the head being rounded, the thorax is elongated in a sort of long neck, which separates the head from the body. The abdomen is black with reddish-orange rings (picture on right) strongly stretched but broader at the posterior end and the tibiae of the hind legs are club shaped (picture on left). In the female the ovipositor is usually very long with a white tip. In resting position, these wasps slowly and rhythmically raise and lower the abdomen. It is fairly widespread in Europe, being recorded from Spain to Finland, as well as England but less well recorded elsewhere in Britain. Isn’t nature wonderful and beautiful.

Keep safe on the work site

• We don’t know how much more hot weather we will get, but we have had a few tasks where extra water breaks have been provided, essential for our well being, even then some of us were still dehydrated, so do bring your own water. If you keep refilling the same water bottle, make sure to wash it thoroughly! • There is still a risk of plant and insect stings, especially if we wear shorts and t-shirt. • With fencing tasks there is always the higher risk of hand injuries from the hammering in of staples. • We must also not let up on protecting our eyes, hands and feet. • DCV have first aiders so use them if you need to, if self administering first aid please let the task leader know to write on the task report form in case of future problems. • A few items you may wish to bring out: Sunscreen and hat, antihistamines or cream in case of hay fever or a sting. Gloves and safety glasses should be a must, ask task leader for a spare pair if you forget. • Good waterproofs are essential and don’t forget an extra layer for cooler days or if you get wet. • Have some extra water in the car with you in case you get stuck in traffic. • We still need to be vigilant both for ourselves and others. DCV Clothing available to order

Clothing has the DCV logo and "Dorset Countryside Volunteers" embroidered on. So far there have been lots of sales of hats, T shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies.

NB. The wording beneath the logo has changed from "Working for Conservation" to "Dorset Countryside Volunteers" and our version of the logo without words is then used. The logo is a little larger.

Adult sizes:

Sweatshirt (crew neck, unisex S to XXL) £16.50, Sweatshirt (crew neck, ladies, slightly lighter weight material, sizes 8 to 18) £16.50, Hooded Sweatshirt (unisex S to XXL with kangaroo pocket) £17.95, Zip Hooded Sweatshirt (unisex S to XXL with side pockets) £21.00, Polo Shirt (men S to XXL, ladies size 8 to 24) £12.50, T-shirt (unisex S to XXL) £8.50, Soft-shell jacket (unisex S to XXL) £45, Sleeveless soft-shell jacket (unisex S to XXL) £36.

Child sizes: Child sizes are by age: 2yrs, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9,10, 11/12, 13.

Sweatshirt (crew neck) £10.50, Hooded Sweatshirts £13.50, Zip Hooded Sweatshirt £15.50, Polo Shirt £9.50, T-shirt £6.50.

Hats and caps: Hats have "DORSET COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEERS" in a contrasting colour (typically white) but not the logo.

Baseball caps £7.50 (adult or child). Fleece hat (with turn-up band) £7.50 (adult or child). Note that these are polyester so should be kept away from fire.

If you are interested in ordering hats/caps let Gareth know, but you may have to wait a while for him to receive sufficient interest to place an order as there is a minimum order quantity of 4.

Typical examples of colours are: Black, Navy Blue, Bottle Green, Burgundy, Royal Blue, Light Grey, Purple, and Red although hats have a more limited colour range.

Please note that there may be slight variations in details dependant on the stock that our supplier can obtain at the time.

Orders take up to 30 days to complete. Payment in advance is by cheque payable to Dorset Countryside Volunteers. Either collect the clothing on task, or contact Gareth for alternative arrangements.

Gareth will bring a sample out on future tasks.

Gareth Morgan [email protected] 07923 498760 (text or voicemail) Spotlight on Upton Wood

Upton Wood is a small The Wood is completely have value, especially woodland, open all year, on the surrounded by housing considering its close proximity eastern edge of Upton found estates and roads - meaning to Upton Heath Nature opposite Upton Country Park. it is not only a haven for Reserve. The site is managed for the wildlife, but also a great place quiet enjoyment of residents for local residents to escape Over many years, DCV and visitors to Upton, and also to. It also provides a ‘green volunteers have worked to protect and enhance the corridor’ to Upton Country extremely hard to keep scrub site's wildlife value. Park and it’s wider walking and Rhododendron at bay, and cycling routes around the especially on the wet heathland The main paths are open to rest of south east Dorset. (the mire), which without DCV walkers, cyclists and mobility would quickly become scooters with the Woodland The habitats within the Wood overgrown with brambles, Trail suitable for walkers. There are very varied comprising bracken and birch. is also a bridleway running woodland (mature and through the Wood which is plantation), streams, scrub available for horse riders. and wet and dry heathland. Rachael Shefford The site provides excellent Countryside and Tourism Officer Purbeck District Council habitat for a variety of wildlife Natural Heritage & Tourism Team purchased Upton Wood in 2004 including invertebrates, birds, Planning and Community Services from The Llewellin Estate. reptiles, amphibians and Purbeck District Council

Previous to this, the Estate mammals. Although it is DCV are working here on: leased the wood to the Council located within an urban 30 September & 1 October from 1992 up until its purchase. setting, the woodland does

Spotlight on Upton Wood How do we value DCV task sites?

This was a question raised back in late winter and Toby Woodcock, who was out that day, said he would have a think about the criteria that could be applied. He came up with a list of factors to be taken into account, marks out of 10, which we duly printed in the following newsletter, asking for members’ responses . . and we waited . . . So far it has to be said, the number of responses has not been overwhelming, but people are talking about it so hopefully this will be developed and re-presented either at the AGM or the Christmas party. In the meantime, here are the four responses we have . . .

Been some great tasks this year, hard to pick just one but competing for top slot must be Vitower. It lost marks for accessibility as fairly long walk to get to the site uphill but gained plenty of marks for the beauty of its views, remoteness, novelty, no mud, didn’t rain, and had a guided walk. The actual work, which although a winter task staple of scrub bashing, unusually had a discreet goal i.e. a pond to uncover so feeling of real achievement at the end of the task. There was of course the murmuration, which some of us saw and others missed! Jane Woodcock

Anywhere it is not raining is good. Anywhere materials are dumped away from the work site is bad. Fires are good. Pleasant rural environments are good. Favoured sites - I seem to like the farms (West Milton/Swyre) - Stonewalling anywhere - Tyneham - variety of tasks, lots of company Bob (permission to name and shame given)

Very hard to choose one favourite task site, so many are lovely and many factors to consider, it’s not black and white, different attributes/elements make places special,+ sense of satisfaction at end of day. Views are good, interesting landscapes/habitats, fires, constructive work score highly. Steep working gradient not good especially coupled with endless scrub and no distinct target, mud’s not great either . . . Val

Coppicing at Langton West Wood was wonderful, minus points for the walk uphill in the dark at the end of each day, plus points for the great camaraderie and huge amount of lichens, moulds and fungi. 9/10 The fencing at Higher Hyde Heath I found difficult, heavy posts, difficult terrain but a sense of achievement, with interesting plant and insect life so 7/10. Step repairs at Seacombe was a frustrating task for me as I was leading both days, so therefore not as relaxing as non leading. Long walk to the work site 3/10, too hot 1/10, heavy work 4/10, too hot, too many tourists 4/10, too hot and we didn’t finish the work 2/10 (there was a lot), but relaxing and chatting at the pub afterwards was a nice feeling seeing everyone chatting and relaxed. 10/10. This is a good way of remembering tasks and putting them into some order in one’s mind. Don

DORSET COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEERS Annual General Meeting Saturday 9th September 2017 6.30pm - West Stafford Village Hall DT2 8AG next to The Wise Man pub

Formal business Shared supper (please bring food to share and a drink) Talk by Butterfly Conservation Trust

Any nominations for formal posts must be submitted to Richard Meatyard no later than 1st September Nature Notes The wondrous things we have seen on task

At Higher Hyde Heath it’s amazing When we were Ragwort pulling The hot weather at Seacombe what one treads on without seeing in the village of Studland the step building brought out lots of it, Drosera rotundifolia, the round grassy fields were also alive with butterflies. We saw Meadow leaved sundew is one example. insects. Easily spotted is the Brown, Red Admiral, Painted Lady It’s small and not easily seen when Cinnabar moth caterpillar (Tyria and Common Blue. The grassy helping to carry a straining post jacobaeae) with its yellow body meadows and abundant wild across the bog. and black stripes, a few flying flowers are a great habitat for all moths were seen. Ragwort is the sorts of insects. food plant for the caterpillars.

The guided walk down to the cliff quarries was interesting, the Ranger Colin showed us areas of short grassland on very poor and Also seen on Ragwort is the thin soils with lots of vetch, vipers Common Red Soldier beetle bugloss (Echium vulgare) see (Rhagonycha fulva) and this can photo below and pyramid orchid. be found in grassland, parks and gardens. The adult is short lived but the Larvae prey on ground invertebrates, such as slugs and snails, and live at the base of long grasses.

It’s a carnivorous plant in that it gains extra nutrient from trapping At Lankham Bottom, ragwort small insects on its sticky leaves pulling, I spotted a Garden Tiger and digesting them, the insects moth (Arctia caja), a first for me, are attracted to the glistening resting up from the rain. drops of mucilage, loaded with a sugary substance, covering its leaves. It has evolved this carnivorous behaviour in response to its habitat, which is usually poor in nutrients.

Book Reviews

Claxton by Mark Cocker A year in the life of the author, but not the same year. Day by day over twelve years, from his home in Claxton, Mark Cocker observes life in minute detail. Bird song, winter’s grip, beetles and hares, he observes with a finely tuned eye and writes with passion. His inquisitive mind reaches out to embrace life itself.

Wildwood by Roger Deakin From his Suffolk home, via the Jaguar factory, Pyrenees, Australia and the forests of Britain, Roger Deakin shows us his love of the wild and especially trees. This manifests itself in his writing. Wood is an element in some cultures, revered and worshiped. It exists in nature, culture and our lives.

Socials by Helen

The June task at Tyneham was particularly well attended and the range of food presented for lunch was the usual DCV quality. A few weeks later we shared the longest day by visiting the bell tower at Sturminster Marshall church. We were met by Jack a young man who had an incredible knowledge of the bells and their history and he conducted us on a fascinating climb to see the bells in place, then with a group of other bell ringers gave a demonstration. This was followed by a very welcome meal at The Red Lion pub across the road. After ragwort pulling at Studland we had a wonderful evening at Middle Beach BBQ area, some swam, others tended the hot coals and others played boule in the bumpy car park. Lots of good food, fun and good company. On a blustery evening in late July we had a picnic and glow worm walk at Compton Down. A sheltered quarry was found to lay out our picnic and later Clive and his dog Rosie arrived to give us a talk on the life cycle of the glow worm and lead us on the glow worm hunt. After a walk over flower rich downland we reached the top of Melbury Beacon and as the light faded away started our walk back through the longer grass searching for glow worms. More details in separate article. This quarter’s social diary begins with the DCV AGM on Saturday 9th September 6:30pm at West Stafford village hall (DT2 8AG). Please bring a dish to share and a drink of your choice. The evening will begin with the formal business of the AGM followed by a very tasty meal ending with the usual fascinating talk by a local expert in conservation. The next social will be on the 23rd September when we welcome our French guests with a shared meal. This will be at West Stafford village hall (DT2 8AG), starting at 7.00pm - all members are welcome. There will be a charge of £5 per person. Please book with Helen if you would like to join us. Thursday 12th October there will be a pub meal at The Sailor’s Return pub at East Chaldon (DT2 8DN) at 7.45pm. Please book with Helen. Find that task site

The task maps have both Ordnance Survey grid reference for those of us with maps and Lat/Long co- ordinates for those that have Sat Nav and some Post Codes which are to get you in the general location. Rural post codes might cover a couple of square miles. If you need to convert to Post Code you could start by using http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ or choose from one of the many on the web. For ease of use you can bring up the DCV newsletter on the web and copy and paste from that.

Tyneham SY 882 802 Fishponds SY 366 983 DT6 6NN 50.621385, -2.168448 50.781000, -2.899600

Kingcombe SY 554 989 DT2 0EQ Abbotsbury Beach DT3 4LA 50.788856, -2.634450 50.659267, -2.623083 Wool Tool Store SY 835 869 BH20 6HE Powerstock SY 547 974 DT2 0DW 50.681395, -2.234758 50.774437, -2.644070 Loscombe SY 502 979 DT6 3TL Upton Wood BH16 5SR 50.778519, -2.708167 50.737899, -2.019259 Swyre SY 528 883 DT2 9DN Ware Cliffs SY 334 917 DT7 3LA 50.691685, -2.670085 50.721707, -2.944803 Glow Worm walk at Compton Down

It’s late July on a blustery cool evening, perfect for the larvae of the glow worm to hunt snails, not quite as perfect for female glow worms to attract a flying male and even less appealing to volunteers to turn out for a picnic. But we did, wrapped up in our winter jackets we found the perfect location for our picnic, an old disused quarry, sheltered us from the wind. Flower and insect rich this is the perfect place to lay out our rugs and food. Peter brought along 2 flans to share and Serena and Akiko brought along a box of sushi to share. They had spent the afternoon preparing different types and making them look wonderful (tasty too). The National Trust ranger Clive came along with his dog “Rosie” and gave us a talk on the life cycle of the glow worm, we had arranged this walk as a thank you to volunteers who have worked on Fontmell and Compton downs. We walked over the flower rich downland to get to the top of Melbury Beacon as the light was fading and then spread out searching for the faint green glow of the female glow worm trying to attract a flying male. They like damp longer grassland, this is where the larvae hunt for snails. Soon the shout went up “found one”, it was Richard who found the first and soon after Jane found the second. We all clustered around looking at it, taking turns to try and photograph the tiny beetle with the glowing tail. Only two found this year, not as good as last year but they do have off years and peak years. Pictures courtesy of Serena D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2017

5 & 6 August: Tyneham, Purbeck Tyneham OS 194 & 195 This weekend we have our annual summer visit to this fascinating location, an old and partly ruined village set deep within the coastal hills on the . The village and surrounding land was requisitioned by the wartime government in 1943 for training use by British forces. Peace came but the army stayed. The village is now a time capsule, a glimpse into everyday rural life before the changes brought by the second half of the 20th century. There are both wet and dry jobs to Car park tackle. Starting with the wet, we shall be digging out another SY 882 802 silted part of the village pond. This year only a small part needs 50.621385, attention to improve conditions for the pond dragonflies and -2.168448 other wildlife. We shall also be laying a section of stone paving and steps within the village. And there will be jobs to keep the wildlife areas and grounds in order around the old barn at the Tyneham Farm end of the village. So a task with lots of variety, and lots of time to socialise and chat while tackling the jobs. NB: Park in the visitors car park at the end of the lane. We hope to have waders available to use but bring your wellies, and wear suitable old clothes for the mud. On both Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes we’ll be having a shared bring-a-dish meal - look out for details by email closer to the date. If you fancy a sea dip at the end of the afternoon, to wash off pond mud or just to enjoy, then don’t forget your swim wear – a lovely bay is only a 10 minute walk away. Clean boot policy applies in the pond.

12 & 13 August: Kingcombe Meadows, Kingcombe OS 194 This nature reserve is a fantastic reminder of a countryside rich in wildlife and which is now almost lost to the intensification of agriculture during the late 20th century. The fields are small, uneven, and the plantlife varies with the soils and wetness, comprising many species. One of the most striking features is the network of tall, thick hedges bounding the fields and defining green lanes - old trackways leading through the land. On this visit we shall be tackling a thistle problem in some of the fields. This we will do in the old-fashioned way, cutting and pulling them out to wilt on the ground. They become less prickly and this then Park at Pound Cottage Kingcombe Road allows the cattle to munch them up and crunch the dried remains SY 554 989 under-hoof. There may also be some fencing repairs, giving a 50.788856, -2.634450 DT2 0EQ variety of jobs for the weekend. As usual our trusty stove will be on hand to brew up teas and coffees, to be enjoyed in a wonderful and tranquil part of the Dorset countryside. NB: Meet at Pound Cottage.

Sunday 20 August: Wool Tool Store, Purbeck Tool Store Wool OS 194 Our seasonal tasks of saw, lop, slash and burn are not far away. So it’s timely to ensure our tools are up to the job, the wheelbarrows are squeak free and the tool store is once again tidy and clean. We can check our tool sharpening skills by clearing back any vegetation that is trying to overrun the store surrounds. Another vital job will be to give our trailer a good overhaul and clean out. It works tirelessly for us every weekend and now needs some tlc, on the paintwork, electrics, tyres and so on. So there is much to do on all sorts of things to keep us occupied for the day. As usual this is a leisurely task, with lots Park in yard of chat. Hopefully the weather will be kind and we can enjoy the Off East Burton Road sun for company on the tool store ‘terrace’. SY 835 869 50.681395, -2.234758 NB: There will be the classic DCV tea breaks with biscuits and BH20 6HE lunch at a near-by pub or bring a packed lunch if you prefer. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2017

26 & 27 August: Loscombe, West Dorset Loscombe OS 194 Not so long ago, when there were days of hot unrelenting sunshine, we sweated our way across the steep slopes of this Park in field reserve scything down tall thistles. Our visit this time takes us to SY 502 979 the lower and much flatter fields where we have been asked to 50.778519, -2.708167 replace a section of wire fence. These fields are shut up for hay DT6 3TL and then, after cutting, the grass re-growth is grazed by livestock. So the fence is best done now between the hay cut and return of the livestock. Fencing involves lots of jobs. There is the old fence to dismantle, new posts to bang in, perhaps a strut or two on the straining posts that need replacing, and finally the new wire to erect with lots of banging of staples. Some jobs are fiddly, others require muscle. We work as a team to get them all done. Getting to this site is an experience, along narrow country lanes, through deep holloways overarched by trees and finally down a steep hillslope to the hamlet in the valley bottom. Even on this busy holiday weekend few are likely to visit, the reserve providing a haven of tranquillity detached from the bustle of the outside world. There will be plenty of breaks to be enjoyed with an eclectic mix of biscuits and a choice of drinks. NB: Parking at the reserve is tricky. Look out for DCV signs on where to park, possibly in the hamlet alongside the reserve. Please do not park in residents’ lay-bys.

2 & 3 September: Swyre, West Dorset Swyre OS 194 Our task at this tranquil village location continues from earlier visits restoring a drystone wall. The walls are strong and can last for centuries but over time parts crumble and collapse as the weather and livestock rubbing up against the stone take

Work their toll. We have been visiting this site for over a decade, site rebuilding collapsed and collapsing sections of wall in the Park near church valley behind the village. Now we have a new location - a wall On Swyre Road overlooking the valley bottom a little further on. During the SY 528 883 50.691685, summer tasks much of the fallen stone has been cleared out, -2.670085 new foundation stones laid and the lower courses of the wall DT2 9DN are taking shape. We need to complete the job for the winter, and finish by ‘topping off’ the wall with cap stones to keep everything in place against the harshest weather. The art of drystone walling is easily picked up and there will be some experienced DCV wallers on hand to show how it’s done. Come along, enjoy the setting and help restore a landscape that will last for centuries. NB: Park in Swyre village centre near the telephone box just off the main road and look out for the distinctive DCV signs to the task site . D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2017

Sunday 10 September: Fishpond Bottom, West Dorset Fishpond Bottom OS 193 This task takes us to the far west of the county, to the slopes below Lambert’s Castle. Here there are wonderful views across a patchwork of small grassland fields to the sea at . For those that missed out on our earlier Park near church pond task at Tyneham then here’s another chance to get SY 366 983 50.781000, -2.899600 wet and muddy. This pond is much bigger and deeper too. DT6 6NN All hands are needed to tackle the job – removing Australian swamp stonecrop. Often known by its Latin name of Crassula, this introduced plant is very invasive and can form a dense mass almost filling a pond and even growing over the banksides. It has become a major problem for pond conservation across lowland England. That’s the situation here, carpets of the stuff grow each year and can smother out other aquatic plants. It can’t be eliminated but with ruthless use of weed rakes we can greatly reduce its presence and give our native, less robust plants space to grow. NB: There is parking near the little church on the lower road heading west from the Fishpond Bottom junction. Look out for DCV arrows to the pond. This will be a wet task for most but with landside, drier jobs also required. Bring your wellies or waders if you have them, wear old clothes and be prepared to get wet. Clean boot policy applies in the pond.

Sunday 17 September: Abbotsbury Beach, West Dorset Abbotsbury Beach OS 194 This Sunday we are again joining the Great Autumn Beach Clean, a massive volunteering event all along the country’s coastline. And once again we will be tackling our traditional Sub tropical stretch from the far end of the Fleet lagoon back to the car gardens park, and then west toward West Bexington. The spring beach clean attracted an amazing number of volunteers: DCV members and others that turned up during the day to help out. We collected and sorted a small mountain of litter. There was notably less on the beach than in previous visits, perhaps because the local café has been offering a free drink to those handing in a bag of rubbish. With less rubbish to find and lots of volunteers we were able to leave the beach Car park east of the car park pretty well litter free and also the beach DT3 4LA to the west. Hopefully we can match this once again. There will be the usual plastics and tin cans, fishing gear and bottle tops, lost clothing and footwear, and more unusual items to ponder. Come for all or just part of the day. As usual there will be breaks for hot teas and coffees and a choice of biscuits, and plenty of time to chat and compare our ‘best’ finds. NB: Gloves provided for the day if you forget. Meet at Abbotsbury Beach pay & display car park – bring your newsletter for free parking. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2017

23 & 24 September: Powerstock Common, West Dorset This task takes us from the season of construction and erection and Powerstock Common OS 194 into the season of cutting and burning. Here we have something of both. We have had tasks at this large nature reserve for decades and over this time much has changed. The conifer plantations, planted by the Forestry Commission and which blanketed parts of the reserve, have gone. Now these areas are returning to a mix of native woodland and grassland with scattered trees. Hardy cattle roam through the site, grazing on the grassland and browsing whatever they can find in the woods. This practice is much more typical of past centuries and creates a diversity of conditions for a rich variety of plants and wildlife to thrive. What has not changed is the growth of scrub. A fence separating a meadow from woodland has become entwined and in part overwhelmed by willow, bramble and other Meet at entrance to reserve thorny growth. We shall be clearing the scrub and making repairs Off Barrowland Lane along the length of the fence. This is likely to involve replacing fence SY 547 974 50.774437, -2.644070 posts, perhaps some of the struts on the straining posts and then DT2 0DW tightening up the barbed wire. Meanwhile the cut scrub will make a wonderful bonfire to brew great teas and coffees. NB: On Saturday we shall be joined by our twinning friends from Association Orchis. So do come and enjoy some friendly, mixed language banter and confusion!

30 September & 1 October: Upton Wood, Upton Wood OS 195 Purbeck-Poole border The use of our cutting expertise is once again required at this area of urban greenspace on the edge of Poole. Despite its location, bounded by the Upton by-pass and the residential edge of Upton, this site has a good mosaic of wildlife habitats ranging from mature woodland to relic heath and even a heathland mire. For local people the site provides an escape from the built environment, a readily accessible place for everyday contact with the natural world. On this occasion we shall be cutting birch, other scrub and bramble from the mire. The bramble in particular has an annoying ability to grow and Park on root from one Molinia moor-grass tussock to another, keeping Pony Drive 50.737899, above the wettest ground where it would struggle to survive. -2.019259 But it’s no match for our loppers or a good tug where the BH16 5SR bramble tip is rooting into a new tussock. There’s no bonfire at this site – the locals don’t care for being smoked out. But there’ll be steaming hot drinks from our trusty stove, chocy biscuits and plenty of chat to pass the day. NB: Bring wellies if you have them, though waterproof boots should be fine with nifty footwork around the wetter bits. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2017

7 & 8 October: Ware Cliffs, , Ware Cliffs OS 193 This task takes us to the far western fringe of the Dorset coast. Here the cliffs are on the move, slipping and sliding into the sea over a broad area. And not always slowly. The Great Landslip of Meet at Holmebush Car park Christmas Day 1839 is one of the most remarkable DT7 3LA events in recorded times. One mile of cliff slipped, Work site at SY 334 917 transporting fields, an orchard and even some 50.721707, -2.944803 cottages bodily seaward and downward to new levels. Some land sank over 100 feet, creating chasms and whole new cliff lines. The area was abandoned and most is now a National Nature Reserve, one of the wildest places on the south coast. Our task is on fields above the edge of the landslip. Even here the land has slumped in places and management tasks are more difficult. That’s where DCV comes in. We have been asked to clear back willow and bramble invading the grassland. This we will turn into a bonfire for hot brewed teas and coffees while admiring the view over Lyme Regis and the broad expanse of beyond. NB: Bring suitable footwear for wet and possibly slippery ground, such as walking boots with ankle support. And the weather can be wild, straight off the Atlantic Ocean. So come prepared with warm, waterproof clothing. We shall meet at the far end of Holmebush car park where there is a path - Pine Walk - down to Ware Cliffs. It’s a long journey so car share if you can. There is a car park charge – you can reclaim from the task leader.

14 & 15 October: Task to be arranged. Look out for an email closer to the date or phone Richard, Doug or Peter for details.

Sunday 22 October: Tyneham, Purbeck Tyneham OS 194 & 195 Our autumn visit to this site is timed to complete the year’s management around the old farmhouse buildings before the onset of more inclement weather over the winter. The meadow areas will have their final cut of any unwanted tall vegetation, opening up the sward for the growth of spring flowers. Depending on priorities, the stream may need some attention where constricted by summer growth, and there may be some coppicing and bramble removal in the Car park shrub areas. So there are likely to be a range of jobs to SY 882 802 50.621385, suit all tastes. There will also be time to see the results of -2.168448 our pond clearance in August, with hopefully clear water allowing observation into the underwater world. At this site we have the luxury of picnic tables at which to enjoy our breaks and lunch, served with hot drinks from our trusty stoves. And if the weather is wet there is shelter in the old barn. NB: Park at the far end of the visitors car park at the end of the lane – the old farm lies beyond over the bridge and up valley to left.

28 & 29 October: Clocks go back one Task to be arranged. Look out for an email closer to the date or phone Richard, Doug or Peter for details. hour at 2:00am on Sunday 29th October D C V DIARY August - October 2017

Date Task Site Client Work 5 & 6 August Tyneham, Purbeck MOD/Tyneham Farm Various Project Both above days Shared lunchtime bring Please also bring own a dish at Tyneham plates, cutlery etc. 12 & 13 August Kingcombe Meadows, Dorset Wildlife Trust Thistle cutting & West Dorset fencing 20 August Wool Tool Store DCV Tools & trailer Sunday maintenance 26 & 27 August Loscombe, West Dorset Dorset Wildlife Trust Fencing

2 & 3 September Swyre, West Dorset Private Dry stone walling

9 September DCV A G M - 6.30 p.m. Please bring food to Saturday West Stafford Village share and a drink of your Hall DT2 8AG choice 10 September Fishponds, West Dorset National Trust Pond clearing Sunday 17 September Abbotsbury Beach, Litter Free Coast & Sea Beach Clean Sunday West Dorset 23 & 24 Powerstock, West Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub bashing & September Dorset fencing 23 September Welcome to Association 7.00 p.m. at West Booking with Helen Saturday Orchis - evening Stafford Village Hall essential meal with our guests £5 per person 30 September & Upton Wood, Poole, Purbeck District Council Scrub cutting 1 October East Dorset 5 October DCV planning meeting At Viv’s 7:45pm Thursday 7 & 8 October Ware Cliffs, Lyme Regis, National Trust Willow & scrub cutting West Dorset 12 October Pub meal at Sailor’s DT2 8DN at 7.45 p.m. Please book with Helen Thursday Return East Chaldon 14 & 15 October Task to be arranged See email or phone Richard, Doug or Peter for details 22 October Tyneham, Purbeck Tyneham Farm Project/ Various Sunday MOD 28 & 29 October Task to be arranged See email or phone Richard, Doug or Peter for details Advance Notice Langton West Wood National Trust Coppicing 4 & 5 November Purbeck DCV mobile: 07929 961532 (task hours) ring longer than normal Please check DCV web site. Keep a note of the DCV mobile phone number - a task may have to be cancelled last minute or finish early. If coming out later in the day, phone to check task still running.