Dorset

Countryside

No 155 February - April 2011 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 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: Dorset 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, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 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 . . .

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

Winter‛s dark days are gradually fading and Spring is definitely on its way as we saw at Loscombe recently. Catkins on the hazel, snowdrops and primroses in the lane. Late winter can be a magical time of year as nature bursts forth, the sun has more strength and on mild days it is a pleasure to sit around on task at break times just quietly watching nature.

DCV has sadly lost two very good friends this winter. Gordon Hobday, our dedicated tools officer and William Keighley, who DCV first met as a National Trust warden and with whom we worked many times on the Cerne Giant, and in his retirement as a DCV member. They will both be greatly missed.

There was a recent case in the news of a girl diagnosed with Rickets, through lack of vitamin D. Our bodies are supplied with this vitamin through food and sunlight. We can‛t get it through a window but we can get it outside even on a cloudy day in winter. Yet another benefit of coming out on task even for only half a day. Being outdoors lifts the spirits, from melancholia or even seasonal affective disorder and working with the hands is known to satisfy our creative urges, so what better way to combine the two.

It‛s timeto renew your DC V membership. Still bargaina at £3 for anactive member - costs go towards not just printed copies, but also supporting the web pages. Your membership form is enclosed with this newsletter - please complete it and return to Peter Warren.

With the increasing price of fuel, now well over £5 a gallon (pushing £6) we ought to to th ink m ore and m ore about car sharing. It‛s no t difficult to arrange and can be pleasant company. If you are a regular volunteer you may already have phone numbers of others. Or one can use the excellent email service DCV has through [email protected] and ask if anyone is willing to car share and what day/time one is going. It can be awkward sometimes when we want to arrive late or finish early butearly it‛s all about comprom ise. . . if you are offered a lift, pleaseamake contribution towards petrol costs.

Not Quite the Coordinator’s Report … again Reports on tasks from the previous quarter

Task cancelled due to snow! including digging iris from a “Christmas tree task”, the That’s something we hear very pond, laying a young willow important point being to hide rarely in Dorset but, during the in an innovative style and your tree once you have chosen coldest December on record, the installing a hanging gate. Early it. Our illustrious coordinator inevitable happened. November saw us up by the carefully chose his young pine, Purbeck Ridge at Knowle Hill for put it in a “safe” place, only to Yes we’ve certainly had our our last Keystone Project task - find later that someone had share of highs and lows this last and the challenge of looking after thrown it on the bonfire! three months. Autumn began for three widely spaced fires at the us with a downpour on the same time. Snow then returned with a Goathorn Peninsula and with vengeance and though Dorset, only three volunteers present, More scrub on the Trailway at as usual, was let off lightly limited impact was made on the Ashley Heath, then at Noon Hill compared with the rest of the pines and gorse surrounding the (welcome back Andy as a task UK, it caused serious problems oil well. Maybe it was the leader) then the big freeze set in. in the north and west of the impossibility of a bonfire that put Bluebell bulbs were ordered for county. Our last task of the year people off: BP certainly would Upton Wood but luckily, was to be at Lankham Bottom, a not have wanted a second major compared to last year’s crop, we deep valley in West Dorset. DCV disaster in 2010! were planting them well inside hates to admit defeat, but access the wood where the ground had was impossible. For all this, task This low turnout was not a remained soft. The only frozen attendance has actually gone up portent of things to come. A item was a certain young a little in the last quarter despite - notable milestone was reached volunteer’s hands and feet! He or maybe because of - the at Upton Wood on a glorious promised to wrap up warmer weather. The new year has got Indian summer day: the main next time. off to a good start - fifteen came part of the wood is now along to Lorton Meadows on the rhododendron-free. We even Well done to the six volunteers - first Sunday - let’s try and keep found the odd apple tree hidden two new members among them - this up. away in the depths - delicious! who did a full day at Holt Heath Back to the Castleman Trailway on the first Saturday of This is not the easiest of times at West Moors though not for December, undeterred by for DCV: we are all the poorer for hedge laying this autumn, just freezing rain falling on top of wet the sad loss of Gordon. I am scrub bashing, then back to snow. Despite severe weather grateful to Richard for having Springhead to continue revetting warnings another twelve came had a towbar fitted to his vehicle, the lake and repairing the on the Sunday. It is a tribute to thus ensuring there are still three boundary fence. What a poor the hardiness of DCV people that of us able to tow the trailer. So, turnout on the Sunday though they are prepared to turn out in our goals for 2011? We need despite - or perhaps because of - all weathers. Thankfully more leaders, naturally, plus a another Indian summer day. conditions improved for the tools officer with a very hard act A good turnout (considering the weekend of the annual to follow. A challenge - but one location) on the last day of Christmas Dinner, which was as we can overcome, I am sure. October for Broadoak Land successful as ever. The Cooperative, who gave us a accompanying pine clearance at Chris Huggill variety of rewarding jobs Newton Gulley was also our Coordinator’s Report

Normally it falls to me to been looking at how other been purchased for a trial run report on the tasks for the volunteering organisations and will be available on request previous programme but on this operate and the guidelines to members at the forthcoming occasion Chris kindly available from the BTCV and tasks. If they prove popular and volunteered to do this for me and Volunteering England. Over the rugged enough to survive DCV you will find his report elsewhere coming months our existing tasks and the English weather in the newsletter. By doing this practices will be reviewed, then we will make them available he had given me the opportunity documented and where to all members free of charge. necessary changes made. to write about the subject of Health & Safety which has been keeping me busy during the dark Another area that I am looking at winter nights. The first area to come under the is a more formal risk assessment spotlight was the requirement to process and documentation have emergency contact thereof. If anyone has If you are wondering why I am information available for all experience of this type of work suddenly preoccupied by this volunteers on a task. At the and would be prepared to help in then I need to explain. No, DCV mo ment we as k volunteers to the preparation and/or reviewing hasn’t had any major incidents complete the slip in the of a set of “generic” DCV risk during the last quarter but due to newsletter and bring this with assessments and guidance an unfortunate incident with them on task. Thankfully, to- documents then please contact another independent date, no leader has ever needed me. this information but in an conservation volunteer group which resulted in a serious injury emergency: and a Health & Safety Executive Have you filled one in? You will be aware from the article about Gordon later in the investigation, one of our clients Would a leader know where to newsletter that we are currently has now reviewed the way they find your slip, if you were without a tools officer. Gordon relate to us. They now engage unable to tell them? used to check the tools on a the services of independent Is it in your rucksack or regular basis. This checking volunteer groups (i.e. DCV) in elsewhere? the same way as they would an meant that unreported defects If in your rucksack, would commercial contractor. The were found and fixed thus anyone know which was ensuring that all tools were safe impact of this for us is we now yours? have to provide evidence of and ready for use. In the relevant insurance, our Health & absence of a tools officer, it has become doubly important that Safety provisions, our Clearly not a satisfactory before using a tool you check it competency to undertake the situation so after looking at and is safe to use and if not that it is task, etc. when we do a task for rejecting various options it was handed to the task leader. them. decided to try an alternative idea Likewise if a tool becomes of, a small transparent, water defective in use it must be resistant container that can be As an organisation we have handed to the task leader, who attached to your rucksack or always taken Health & Safety will label it as defective. equivalent, containing a small seriously but true to DCV’s folded card. On the outer faces heritage the arrangements have you write your name so that it been fairly informal and to be Richard Meatyard can be found quickly and on the able to provide the required inside, so that it is not on public evidence more formal display, your emergency contact arrangements are now required. details. A small quantity have During the past few weeks I have Gordon Hobday 1925-2010

In the DCV, we mostly know of British Standards so that they Born 1925, Maidstone - grew up with two Gordon as being the "magician" could eventually be awarded the sisters - happy, fulfilling childhood despite who kept all our tools and BEAB mark (British the depression of the late ‘20s/early ’30s equipment sharp and in good Electrotechnical Approvals and outbreak of war September 1939 working order. To provide a little Board). In later years Gordon 1936 became a pupil at Maidstone more background information, became involved in the here follows a letter from a long Grammar School. 1943 won scholarship development of the British time friend of Gordon and Pam: to University College Exeter to read Graham Chattel, now living in Standards themselves working Physics - regarded as his “call up” as Hampshire when not cruising as an industry representative vitally important then to guarantee a around Britain, the Baltic and and attending development supply of scientists! further. meetings at BSI (British Standards Institution) in London. First job - Phillip’s Electrical Research As a result of UK joining the Laboratories, London. With first earnings " I (Graham) started my first job European Union our work at ATL bought a really good bicycle, a Rudge as apprentice at the Electrical included testing to European Whitworth (still riding 60 years later). Research Association (ERA) in standards with which Gordon Succumbed to call of a motorcycle and ensured both sisters became good pillion Leatherhead, Surrey in 1957. It also became involved attending riders. First car was a B.S.A. three was there that I first met Gordon meetings mostly in the wheeler, shared with younger sister. who was working on Heat Netherlands so he was an Active member of Maidstone’s Pumps in the Heat Laboratory internationally well known figure Photographic Club. working for Dr Miriam Griffiths, at in the standards industry. that time one of the country's Gordon retired around 1982. After brief period in the family grocery leading experts on Heat Physics. business, back to electrical research with Heat pump technology was Gordon was a great friend over Elliot’s at Rochester Airport. relatively new and a system was the years and introduced me to 1953 Gordon married his first wife Audrey installed at the newly built Royal cruising in small boats. His early but she sadly died from TB in 1959. Festival Hall on the South bank days of sailing single-handed in London. Gordon was making were in his Caprice called Little Having always wanted to sail, after regular visits to monitor the Coot. He sailed to Ireland and Audrey’s death, bought a sailing dinghy system's performance. He was off the west coast of Scotland as and taught two nephews to sail. Through always so keen and meticulous well as much of the south coast sailing Gordon met Pam when he won a to monitor all manner of things of England and the Channel trophy she donated in memory of her first and keep records. In those days Islands. husband. This became the romantic Gordon was a quiet sort of chap beginning to their life together and they who just got on with the job in It was through sailing that married December 1968. Love of sailing hand and I think he remained Gordon met and married Pam, continued with many sailing expeditions that way throughout his life. At with friends. over 40 years ago now. Their that time he was still married to first boat together was a 20ft Hobbies were scientifically based. Gordon his first wife Audrey and I Kingfisher named Dendici, which kept a weather record every morning until remember when she became they kept in Langstone Harbour his last illness, was intensely interested in very ill and died from TB. when they were not sailing the internal combustion engine and spent around the Hebrides. Despite hours designing a diesel engine with On completion of my training, I mastering Britain's difficult seas, improved fuel efficiency. moved to the Electrical they never had the inclination to With age, sailing became more difficult so Development Association (EDA), sail abroad to Europe. After regrettably the boat was sold. However, also in Leatherhead. Two or some years Gordon and Pam caravan holidays continued with extensive three years later Gordon also built their own first catamaran - a tours of Great Britain. Scotland was a came to work there, where we Hirondelle constructed at their favourite destination - as in their early remained for many years, though home in Bookham, Surrey. Later sailing days. the name changed to Appliance they upgraded to a proprietary Testing Laboratory (ATL). He built catamaran kept in Poole as Gordon’s sisters describe him as a most was testing all manner of by now they had retired and trustworthy and thoughtful brother, who electrical products, including were living in Wool." will be remembered for his integrity, Thermal Storage heaters, to humility, kindness and compassion for all . . . . . as we shall all remember him. Gordon's interest in wildlife had broken and blunt stuff as fast as developed in Leatherhead, and we could wreck it. He had only on moving to Dorset he and Pam the VERY occasional grumble: If became actively involved with everyone were as careful as he the Dorset Trust for Nature was, it would not get lost or Conservation, now DWT, and ruined in the first place! through them, with the DCV. There are many tales to be told, His 4 wheel drive Treka was also like: The search for the Perfect put to good use on occasions, Kettle, Repairing the broken towing the DCV trailer to and diesel path whacker on the hill from muddy places where cars up from Lulworth to Durdle Door, and the Flamethrower for lighting normally fear to tread. bonfires (on www.dcv.org.uk, or I recall a story he told me on one type "gordon hobday DCV work day, which shows flamethrower" into Google!). But they are too long to be told here. another side to his character: The Reckless Young Lawbreaker I (Peter Warren) was, to some (well perhaps a bit of an surprise and consternation, exaggeration but lets see..) asked to say a few words at Gordon's funeral. This event After the War, vehicles were few was, perhaps not surprisingly, and far between, and petrol was extremely well attended, the in very short supply. Gordon waiting room being packed to was riding one of those overflowing. This speech follows unreliable and underpowered as given. It may look a bit odd in British motorbikes up a long hill written form, but remember it was intended to be spoken out. with a junction at the top. To conserve rationed petrol he Gordon was a member of Dorset chugged up slowly in the highest Countryside Volunteers for more gear he could. At the top, newly years than I can exactly recall. I installed traffic lights, one of the believe he joined us from the first sets in the country, cycled Dorset Trust for Nature from red to green and back to Conservation (now DWT), mainly red, SEVERAL times during the because we ran more tasks long slow ascent. during the Summer, but also During all that time, NO vehicles saying that he THOUGHT a lot of were to be seen on any of the the DTNC members were a bit roads at the junction. As he old! arrived at the top, the lights just His name first appeared in print went red, but still NO vehicles in our Newsletter in the April were in sight anywhere, so rather 1995 issue, as JOINT Tools than waste petrol stopping, idling Officer. In the July 1996 edition and starting, he trundled across. he was promoted to the position But Gordon had NOT seen the of sole Tools Officer, and stayed Policeman lurking behind some in that role for the rest of his life. obstacle, and this enthusiastic Some 14 or 15 years. Bobby leapt out and stopped him. I believe he was let off after During that time he did a a severe talking to, of the "Don't wonderful job of looking after all do that again" type. our tools and equipment: Our work in far away places, and in Memories . . . are important, and sometimes difficult conditions, in a way, Gordon's spirit lives on takes a heavy toll on all our stuff. in US, in our remembrance of past meetings and events. We Especially when combined with should cherish and maintain over-enthusiasm, inexperience these memories in honour of a or just plain carelessness! But man who I think has made Gordon cheerfully replaced, MANY peoples lives a bit better repaired or sharpened all the and brighter by being who he was. Gordon with DCV A life in pictures William Keighley 1942-2010

Another member has sadly recently died. William Keighley lived in the far west of the county and came on many of the tasks on National Trust land. We in DCV have had many dealings with William when he was a Warden for the National Trust.

Born in 1942 William grew up different organization then, extra work and growth in the in the Lake District on the family William started work for the Trust Trust eventually led to William rented farm which is where his with a mini van and a few tools needing and getting assistance love for the outdoors, farming covering an area from the Devon with extra staff in 1993. and the mountains began. In border in the West and into the Eventually by the time of his later life this continued when Purbecks in the East and north Retirement in 2002 William working on sheep farms in the as far as Turnworth, just up the managed the wardening team Highlands of Scotland. William road from where William and covering the now merged Dorset later worked for the Nature Jenny lived, and the Open Spaces and Golden Cap Conservancy Council in Scotland border. Reliance on help from Estate. including spells at iconic places volunteers, good working as Iona and St. Kilda. relationships with farm tenants Even in retirement William kept and his excellent in depth his hand in practically, assisting Although he loved the outdoor knowledge and practical skills with work on and around life and working in agriculture, and experience were the keys to Lamberts Castle and Fishponds. William trained as a teacher and the successful management of Always willing to impart advice, it was this that brought him to such a large and variable area. knowledge and experience Dorset, to teach in remedial William continued to enjoy the classes at a primary school near During William's time with the properties he looked after and Blandford. Reorganisation meant Trust the number of properties knew so well, without all the that he could no longer do a job increased, with the addition of headaches involved in being he loved doing and so in 1981 Hod Hill, further land at responsible for their using all his previous knowledge Ringstead, Cogden, land at ma nage ment. and experience William came to Burton Bradstock and at Michael Clarke, the National Trust as Warden for Fishponds (where William and National Trust Dorset Open Spaces. A very Jenny had moved to). All this

I first met William in the early 1980s when DCV were scrub clearing for National Trust. He was always at the forefront of the action. If a tangled mass of thorn and bramble was to be cleared, he would be in there quickly cutting a way through, so others could get in and work from the inside. William had the ability to work solidly and relentlessly all day only taking breaks when we did to be sociable. I am sure during the week when we weren’t there he just worked all day every day until the job was done. William helped to organise the 1988 Telethon event cleaning the Cerne Giant. This became a DCV favourite and since then DCV has worked on the Giant whenever a big cleaning is needed. Don Simcock

William Keighley - some thoughts . . . . from Terry Sweeney

William Keighley and I both incredibly knowledgeable, who have ever worked with began our ‘ranger’ careers at energetic and thoughtful. He him will agree in that, whether the same time. His job in the treated everyone he worked on the Giant or a hillfort, he early 1980s was looking after with, whether a professional led from the very front! or a volunteer, as a colleague those fabulous National Trust ‘highspots’, the ancient and always showed concern hillforts of Pilsdon, Lamberts for their safety and welfare. William died far too young, and Coney Castles, Eggardon He was mortified that during but my memories are all fond and others. I was western the week we spent re-aligning ones. The days we spent Dorset’s first Heritage Coast the clifftop fence at Burton dragging garbage from Chesil ranger, amongst other things Bradstock, my idea of a Beach after the storms trying to keep the coast path packed lunch was an apple. became great fun. But I will in one piece and where this He would insist on sharing his best remember him for our ran through the Trust’s delicious soup and thoroughly landscape scale project to coastal sites, William and I healthy lunchbox. I put on improve the backdrop to quickly established that pounds! At the start of that Chesil Beach when we camaraderie across job, rolling back the coast pushed together for Labour in organisations that came to path from an eroding cliff Vain farm near Bexington to characterise conservation edge (plus ca change), the become an all-grass ‘dog and work i n Dors et. only advantage I had over stick’ farm rather than all William was my go-anywhere arable when a lease changed. Series II ex-fire service For me this is a lasting William was one of the ‘new Landrover – whilst he had testimony to his love for breed’ of National Trust been supplied with the pride Dorset’s landscape and wardens. At my first task with of the National Trust vehicle wildlife. Thank you William. the DCV in the ‘70s, we had fleet, a minivan. But by the been asked to restore the end of the week he had gently pond at Fishponds. There I and patiently taught me and met my first National Trust my work experience team Terry Sweeney war den, an ex-ma jor. He everything we ever needed to appeared at mid-day and on know about fencing. seeing a half naked, half immersed George Darwell in This cemented our working the pond, announced in a relationship and friendship, loud voice “well done c haps . . although he never agreed to carry on” and promptly lead a guided walk for my disappeared, retriever in tow. Heritage Coast programme. William couldn’t have been He was totally committed to more different. Totally hands- keeping his magnificent sites on, an ex-shepherd, ex- up to scratch and as all of us surveyor, ex-teacher, Coppicing

Most trees will sprout if cut through. Support the weight immediately, never leave down and coppicing is the cutting of the stem with one hand them. Don’t let anyone walk back of any deciduous tree or whilst sawing with the other. underneath them. Ask for shrub so that it regrows, help if necessary. producing a fresh crop of wood and providing a renewable, Clear Brushwood self-sustaining resource. Clear the site but don’t tidy it. Trees are felled on rotation Dead wood, both fallen and with a s mall area or coup being standing, is an important cut one year, another coup the habitat. next year. Years ago Brushwood (the tops of the Stems up to 6in (15cm) trees) can be either burnt or coppicing provided material for diameter should be undercut firewood, charcoal, fencing on the front (side facing cut up and scattered or made stakes or hurdles, wattle for direction of fall) before being into a dead wood fence to timber framed buildings, cut through from behind. prevent deer from browsing thatching pars or hop poles. the young re-growth. The On larger stems, cut out a client will indicate this. If For conservationists the felling sink (wedge) in the burning, even a small comfort product of a coppiced front. fire, make sure there are no woodland is the huge diversity branches overhead or trees of flora and fauna present Cut at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees from the horizontal or nearby, the heat can kill them. within the different stages of growth. trim the stump to this afterwards. It is important that that bark is left intact and tight Bowsaws 21in & 30in Fell Coppice Regrowth to the wood to avoid disease, die back and ensure next Look carefully at the tree to year’s re-growth. decide which way to fell the individual stems. Leave a stump 4 to 8 inches high. In some cases it is Check: easier to cut higher than this The lean and likely where the stems are more direction of fall separate and the weight less Ease of cutting at the base and to trim the stump Intertwining tops afterwards. Space to drop the stems Used for tree felling, scrub cutting, hedgelaying and Time spent on this will save coppicing. problems and avoid accidents. Push and pull the saw with

one hand holding the handle Remove any young growth around the outside of the stool. near the blade. The blade will Cut as close to the ground as cut on both push and pull strokes. possible. During the early stages many Hold the wood steady with the Make certain that no one is in trees will get hung up. To other hand well clear of the the dropping zone before untangle these, lift the butt saw in case the blade jumps starting to fell. Always be end and pull briskly away. If out of the cut. aware of those around you. the tree is too heavy to lift, Saw with easy relaxed lever it up and winch or roller strokes using the full length of Stems up to 3in (8cm) it. Deal with hung up trees diameter can be cut straight the blade. Hedgelaying

For wildlife, are Trim excess brush from the near- Staking invaluable, providing safe side of the hedge. Cut upwards if using a slasher. havens, “corridors” for Britain’s Stakes should be about 1.5in flora and fauna. (4cm) diameter and long enough to be knocked about 18in (50cm) A hedge neglected or constantly Laying the pleachers into the ground, and still project a flailed, will become gappy at the few inches (about 10cm) above base and soon deteriorate into The first group of pleachers the top of the hedge the remnant hedge all too cannot be laid into the standing frequently seen in our hedge alongside, so they should Put the stakes in as you go so countryside today. be cut and laid turned out to one that the bushy tops of the side so they are available to fill pleachers can be woven in Laying, together with selective the gap left when the last between the stakes as you lay mechanical trimming, pleachers of the adjacent section them. rejuvenates the hedge, ensuring are laid. a long and healthy life, a sound barrier and diversity of wildlife. Ensure the pleacher you are Laid stems will survive as long about to lay is not tangled in the as the necessary nutrient flow rest of the hedge. can still take place from roots to tip. Bark, bast, cambium and at Cut so that the pleacher will least a little sapwood must be bend at between 1in and 4in (3- left, joined in a thin strip of stem 10cm) above the ground. If you from which the upper portions are forced to cut higher, cut a can draw nourishment. notch in the stump to encourage low resprouting.

Pleachers Cut through far enough that the pleacher will lower into place without forcing, but leave Pleachers are the stems that are sufficient bark and sapwood cut and laid. uncut to allow the pleacher to survive. Cut out all dead wood and excess live wood, especially if Used for hedgelaying, coppicing out of line with the hedge, but be snedding - cleaning up felled sure to keep sufficient spare timber. pleachers until you are certain they are not needed. Normally used one handed but the longer can Always remove Elder. It grows be used with both hands. vigorously and suppresses other plants, but cannot be laid Never wear a glove on the properly. billhook hand. There is less grip and it may slip. Cut cleanly, split stems die. Whenever there is a choice Cut or trim just above a bud between young and old Keep the billhook sharp, little and when possible to encourage often. A blunt blade can bounce pleachers, lay the young ones resprouting. because they re-sprout better. off the wood.

The pleacher must slope up Keep a safe working distance Try to use relatively evenly away from the stump or the sap spaced pleachers. from other volunteers. won’t flow. Lay all pleachers to the same angle if possible. Lay pleachers from different Cut with the grain and not across. rootstocks to increase chance of The stump may be trimmed with success. a saw. Never leave a billhook stuck in a stump, someone may trip and fall on it. Lay it flat on the ground near to where you are working. On 22nd April 2011 our friends from Association Orchis in Normandy France will again be visiting us for the weekend. They will arrive on Friday evening at Poole Ferry Terminal and return to Cherbourg on Monday morning 25th.

We intend to have some interesting conservation work arranged for them during the weekend but will also take the opportunity to show them some of the attractive tourist features of our county.

If anyone would like to provide accommodation to any of our visitors please contact me. If you would like to simply help plan and organise the trip again please get in touch, the more helpers and ideas the better. We have a good group of helpers but the more the merrier. I will be arranging a meeting closer to the visit in order that we can discuss and plan the arrangements.

If you are interested in the return trip to Cherbourg in September please pencil in the probable dates of Friday 16th September returning Sunday 18th.

However whatever your interests please come along and support our French exchange weekend on Easter Saturday and Sunday 23rd and 24th April.

I hope to see and hear from you. Terry Gillott, French Link

DORSET PLACE NAMES

Ever wondered about the origins of the weird and wonderful names of places that DCV visits? Well have a look at these - all coming up in the next quarter . . .

Parley Common (east) - Estperle, Est Purle 1280. ‘Wood where pear trees grow’, from Old English peru and leah

Kingcombe - Chimedecome 1086 (Domesday Book), Kendecumb 1212, Kentecumb 1288, Keincombe 1303. ‘Valley where wall-germander grows’, from Old English cymed and cumb.

Fontmell Magna - Funtemel 877, Fontemale 1086 (Domesday Book), Magnam Funtemell 1391, Great Funtmill 1704. Originally a Celtic stream name, Fontmell Brook, ‘stream or spring by bare hill’ from Celtic funton and mailo-. Magna distinguishing it from parva . . .

Tyneham - Tigeham, Tingeham 1086. Tynam 1244, Tynham 1280. Probably ‘goat’s ’ from Old English tige and hamm. DCV SOCIALS

As always DCV socials seem to Soper (who was responsible for On Tuesday 8th March it is revolve around food. The the original illustrations for the Pancake Day and Doug will be evening at Doug‛s provided a Famous Five books by Enid holding his annual pancake takeaway of great quality Blyton) and is a fascinating mix event. Please inform him if you thoroughly enjoyed by all. of childhood imagination and are interested in attending and Fortunately the Christmas meal information about the 1940s. bring a filling to share and a was organised quite early in the The event will include visiting bottle. month so the heavy snow was the attraction at a reduced price avoided. An evening of good of £2 then enjoying a takeaway. Finally, from Mon 11 to Sat 16 food, good company and the Please arrive by 7.00pm. April, Chris Huggill is appearing usual silly games seemed to be in a thriller, "Trap for a Lonely enjoyed by all. On 26th February Viv will hold a Man", at the Little Theatre, cookout following the task at Bournemouth. Tickets will be The next proposed event in the Kingcombe from about 5.00pm £9.50, concessions £7, the new quarter is on the 17th onwards. You are welcome to play commences at 7.45 and February where Viv has invited attend even if you have not been anyone interested is urged to us to visit her attraction on on task. The cost will be contact Chris by 1st March as Poole Quay. This celebrates approximately £3, please inform it's likely to sell out quite the life and work of Eileen Viv if you are interested. quickly.

TOOLS OFFICER NEEDED DCV is making a contribution of £50 to each of two charities close to Are you any good with your hands? Do you Gordon’s heart, Butterfly Conservation and know how to sharpen a billhook? Have you got Dorset Wildlife Trust. time to spare? If you would like to make a contribution in me mory of Gordon, yo u may do so thro ugh: Then you may be the one to help us. DCV

Albert Marsh, Funeral Directors urgently needs a new Tools Officer to look after No 2, Moorland Parade, Moorland Way, our supply of tools, without which we could not Poole, Dorset do our valuable work.

Perhaps you can spare a few hours a week at the DCV tool store in Wool, or maybe take a few

We would also like your suggestions broken tools home to repair. If you volunteer with for some form of the group then you already know what tools we me morial for Gordon. use/abuse, it’s just a case of sharpening and Please think about ways in which we could repairing them. remember Gordon and let Richard have your suggestions.

If you think you can help, please contact Richard

D C V DIARY February—April 2011

DATE TASK SITE CLIENT WORK

5 & 6 February Parley Common (east) Amphibian & Reptile Heathland restoration East Dorset Conservation 12 & 13 February Girdler’s Coppice, Dorset Wildlife Trust Coppicing North Dorset 17 February Viv’s shop Poole Quay £2 entrance fee plus 7.00pm Thursday Plus takeaway cost of takeaway Phone Helen to book 20 February Ryewater Farm, West Plantlife Scrub cutting Sunday Dorset 26 & 27 February Kingcombe Meadows, Dorset Wildlife Trust Hedgelaying West Dorset 26 February Cookout following task Book with Viv Saturday cost £3 01202 620660 5 & 6 March Fontmell Down, North Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub cutting Dorset 8 March Pancakes at Doug’s Bring a filling to share Book with Doug Tuesday and a drink 12 & 13 March Lankham Bottom, Butterfly Conservation Scrub cutting West Dorset 19 & 20 March Powerstock Common, Dorset Wildlife Trust Scrub cutting West Dorset 27 March Sunday Lorton Meadows, Dorset Wildlife Trust Footpath work Weymouth 31 March Thursday Planning Meeting At Viv’s 7.45pm

3 April Sunday Springhead, Fontmell Springhead Trust Fencing Magna, North Dorset 10 April Sunday To be announced Phone Richard, Doug Look out for emails or Peter 11-16 April “Trap for a Lonely Man" Little Theatre, Book asap with Chris 7.30pm for 7.45pm Bournemouth. Tickets £9.50, concessions £7 16 & 17 April Tyneham Farm Ministry of Defence Mystery task Project, Purbeck

23 & 24 April Swyre, West Dorset Private Drystone walling

DCV mobile: 07929 961532 (task hours)

Remember to keep a note of the DCV mobile phone number - there could be occasions when tasks 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 : February - April 2011

5 & 6 February: Parley Common (east), East Dorset Parley Common East OS 195

In the post war years of the 20th century the heathland in this part of Dorset was much reduced by the expanding suburbs around Bournemouth and by agricultural reclamation. At Parley Common a surprisingly large area survived, protected as an SSSI and latterly as a nature reserve. From high ground behind Ferndown the heath still Meet & Park stretches away to the distance, giving a hint of the wild expansive Near end of heath of former centuries. Barrack Rd Since our last visit the heathland boundary has been fenced. In summer hardy cattle roam over the area much as on the New Forest, their grazing habits adding diversity to the heath by limiting the growth of the more robust grasses and leafy scrub. But alone the cattle cannot keep the scrub entirely in check - gorse is too prickly, pine is unpalatable and birch can soon outgrow the attention of cattle. So scrub cutting is still needed for an open heathy habitat. And so too is DCV for our renowned ability to clear any scrub put before us. On this occasion we shall be tackling an area of pine and birch and reducing it to burning embers on which to brew our teas and coffees. NB: Meet near end of Barrack Road.

12 & 13 February: Girdler’s Coppice, North Dorset Girdlers Coppice OS 194 Our tasks at this site seem to come a good few years apart. This reflects the occasional management needs of the ancient woodland Meet & Park coppice. Ancient woods can be traced back to early records and are Near Mill probably descended from the original wildwood that clothed the ST 801 135 country after the last Ice Age. For centuries the woodland was managed to provide a wide range of wood products. The hazel understory was traditionally coppiced (cut just above ground level) every decade or so to produce a supply of poles and twigs for hurdles, thatching spars, bundles for fuel and so on. Well spaced trees were left to grow on, to provide hardwood timber for buildings and for ships. 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 hazel and maybe protecting the cut ‘stools’ against deer browsing with ‘wigwams’ using the cut branches. NB: The wood is low lying and the walk in along the rides can be wet underfoot in places. So waterproof footwear is recommended.

Sunday 20 February: Ryewater Farm, West Dorset Ryewater Farm OS 194 Our winter tasks would not be complete without a visit to one of the superb nature reserves that lie north beyond the chalk downs. Here Meet & Park at the land falls away toward the low lying Somerset Levels in a series of DWT car Park narrow, secluded valleys. One such valley contains this grassland ST 513 074 reserve. On our task last July we were treated to amazing sights, literally millions of flowers colouring the grassy meadows in yellows, reds, purples and white, and alive with insects. Now the meadows slumber, a dull green, giving little hint of their summer splendour, but this is the time for some essential management. Scrub constantly grows out from the woody field margins and into the meadows. Cutting it back keeps the meadows open, with a scrubby edge in which birds, insects and other beasties can hide and shelter. So that’s what we shall be doing, giving some scrub and bramble a good bashing to bring its edge back into place. As always a bonfire will keep us warm and topped up with teas and coffees. NB: Meet at the parking area in the DWT Bracket’s Coppice reserve a bit further north along the lane from the track entrance to the Ryewater reserve. It’s just past a house where the lane does a sharp bend. Park here but beware the ground can be very soft if you stray into the grassland beyond the parking area. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : February - April 2011

26 & 27 February: Kingcombe Meadows, West Dorset Kingcombe OS 194 This weekend takes us to one of our favourite nature reserves to catch up on some hedge laying practice. One of the most striking features of this reserve is its network of tall, thick hedges. There are nearly 200, measuring about 11 miles in length. They are mostly made of hazel and thorns, with also many fine oaks and curious old ‘mocks’ of ash – their gnarled and twisted trunks covered with lichen and moss. The hedgerows are maintained by the occasional and seemingly rather destructive practice of hedge laying. This encourages a thick re-growth of the hedgerow shrubs and for a few years allows light into the hedge bank which benefits the wild flowers. Meet & Park at There will be volunteers with hedge laying experience to give a helping hand. So come along and learn or polish up on this Pound Cottage traditional countryside skill in one of the finest settings in Dorset. NB: Meet at Pound Cottage for onward directions to the task site.

5 & 6 March: Fontmell Down, North Dorset Fontmell Down OS 183 Rather later than usual we make a visit to the high scarp of the Wessex downs in the north of the county. Here the

chalkland drops abruptly to a tapestry of fields and hedges in

the Blackmore Vale that stretches out into the distance below. The incredibly steep chalkland 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 the sheep grazed pasture is loosing out to expanding gorse and thorny scrub. So we shall be sawing and lopping the

Meet & Park offending bushes. And at this time of year we may even see At Quarry the sun above the hill top, and not tease us as it does earlier ST 884 168 by shining over our heads, leaving us and a cold frosty ground untouched in the shade! But then there’s always the bonfire to keep us warm. NB: Park at Quarry car park

12 & 13 March: Lankham Bottom, West Dorset Lankham Bottom OS 194 Back in December when we last planned to visit this site the winter weather had other ideas. It snowed, indeed it snowed a lot. The countryside turned white and the lanes became toboggan runs. Meet at Track Some days earlier after the first snow our client thought we were ST 606 003 ‘b*** barmy’ even to consider holding the task, and we had to agree the conditions were not that good. After yet more snow we reluctantly conceded defeat and had to cancel the whole task. But DCV doesn’t give up easily and this weekend we return for unfinished business. The site covers a steep downland valley. Some years ago it was little managed. Thorny scrub encroached over the slopes driving out chalkland plants and butterflies that feed on them. A massive effort is taking place to push back the scrub and restore the chalk grassland. We shall be cutting scrub on one of the slopes and trying to keep the bonfire from rolling downhill! NB: Bring stout footwear and a good pair of lungs for walking on the steep slopes. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : February - April 2011

Powerstock OS 194 19 & 20 March: Powerstock Common, West Dorset We have had tasks at this large and varied reserve for decades. In recent years its management has been transformed with increased funding. Even so there remains much to do and our help is still required. Since the old days introduced plantations of spruce and pine have been

removed, dense scrub has been cut back and livestock now graze extensively across rough, tree dotted pastures and small woods and thickets. Elsewhere there are larger woods enclosed from the grazing animals. Perhaps more than any other reserve in Dorset this gives the landscape a medieval Meet at Entrance to character. The invasive ability of scrub continues to need DWT Reserve managing to provide a varied habitat for plants, insects and Near Old Bridge SY 547 974 breeding birds. In awkward places like rough ground and steep slopes our ruthless ability with bowsaws and loppers is unmatched. So we have been asked to open up a scrubby area. The arisings will feed a warming bonfire, and provide hot teas and coffees for all that come. NB: We may be working on wet ground, so bring your wellies just in case.

Lorton Meadows OS 194 Sunday 27 March: Lorton Meadows, Weymouth We make a return visit to these grassland meadows that lie hidden away behind the suburbs of Weymouth and are Meet & Park now managed as a nature reserve. The meadows are on Lorton Lane clay and extend up a hill slope. The topography gives Over Two Bridges them seclusion from their surroundings, but the sticky clay and slopes provide some rather slippery mud issues on the paths. A few years ago on one of our early visits we installed a flight of wooden steps on a slippery slope. This gave a huge improvement to people using the path. But the path is so well used that the steps now need some further strengthening and surface repairs. If we turn out in force we have also been asked to improve an awkward stile arrangement over fences either side of a bank with big exposed tree roots. Maybe constructing a ladder like stile replacement – the solution is still under discussion.

Springhead OS 183 Sunday 3 April: Springhead, Fontmell Magna, North Dorset

This spring we return to these lovely landscaped gardens Meet & Park at to continue from last year in replacing the old wire fence Springhead along the boundary track. The gardens, run on a Workers Car Park ST 873 169 charitable basis, are set around a spring fed lake - crystal clear water backed by an old mill house. We still have quite a length of wire fence to do, replacing wobbly posts and re-wiring or restraining the lengths that have gone floppy. And to make things interesting the existing wires go through a tangle of vegetation. So there will be lots of fiddly jobs on offer, and experienced fencers will be on hand to show how it’s done. There’ll be no bonfire but there are bench seats in an old orchard where we can have comfy breaks. Luxury!

NB: Do not use the front entrance on the edge of the village. Use the rear entrance further up the lane, taking a sharp right along a gravelly track to the ‘workers’ car park D C V TASK PROGRAMME : February - April 2011

Sunday 10 April

Task to be arranged, phone Doug, Peter or Richard for details near the time, or look out for a DCV email update.

16 & 17 April: Tyneham, Purbeck Tyneham OS 194 & 195 It’s two years since our first task at this deserted village on the Lulworth army ranges. Since then we have returned time and again for an enthralling series of tasks, each one different and each one helping to restore the setting of the former Tyneham Farm one step further. The village of Tynham was requisitioned with surrounding farmland for training use by British forces and this inadvertently set up a capsule into the past with time and nature slowly taking over. Several of the collapsing cottages have been kept from completely falling apart and now form a popular tourist attraction. More recently attention has focused on the farm buildings just beyond the village. Now restored, they demonstrate their farming history and the recovery work has moved to the surrounding grounds. Here we have helped to recover the old pattern of stone walls, drainage and a cobbled ford, assist with landscaping projects around the area and laid a railway sleeper bridge. The exact nature of this task is a mystery, but as on earlier tasks our visit can be guaranteed to provide a varied and absorbing time. NB: Park at the far end of the visitors car park (SY 882 802) at the end of the lane – the old farm lies beyond over the bridge and up valley to left.

23 & 24 April: Swyre, West Dorset Swyre OS 194 In the last few years we have made tremendous progress repairing the old drystone walls that enclose the fields behind Meet & Park in this village in the west of the county. Centuries ago rocks and Village near stones cleared from the land or dug from small quarries were Phone Box SY 528 883 used to form strong stockproof walls able to stand up to the harshest of weather. As farm labour was lost from the land, wire fences became easier to erect and maintain. Most drystone walls fell into disuse, slowly breaking down and disappearing under scrub through lack of care and maintenance. Now there is a revived interest in drystone walls as part of our landscape heritage and many are being restored. This weekend we shall be tackling some more sections of collapsed wall that runs along the top of a valley slope beside a farm track. There is scrub to cut back and fallen stone to rescue and sort before we can start on gap repairs. As usual there will some experienced wallers on hand to provide guidance. The task is really worthwhile as our repaired wall will be seen and hopefully admired from the village houses across the valley for generations to come. NB: Park in Swyre village centre near the telephone box (SY 528 883) just off the main road and look out for the distinctive DCV signs leading through a farmyard to the task site. This is a joint task with our twinning friends from Orchis so it would be good to see lots of you to mingle.