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No 161 August - October 2012 Reg Charity No 1071723 www.dcv.org.uk

40 Years of conservation work in Who we are, what we do, where, why and how . .

DCV is . . . A DCV day lasts . . .

• A practical conservation group run by volunteers • 10.00a.m. – 5.00p.m. approximately since 1972 doing practical work in the • Breaks for lunch and drinks are included countryside that would not otherwise be done

• 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 , 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 • Lunch • If staying overnight – a change of clothes, • Note: If you have a medical condition or allergies sleeping bag (air bed/camp bed if you wish) of any sort, please carry a card and bring • Up to date tetanus jab necessary medicines. If you wish, bring this to the attention of the task leader. Please complete the “in case of emergency” details at the end of the newsletter, and bring on task. Reaching a task . . .

• If you need / can offer a lift, phone Peter Warren • All youngsters are welcome, but should be 3 days before a task accompanied by a responsible adult. • Lifts from Wool station (toolstore is nearby)

EDITORIAL

I don’t think DCV has ever cancelled a task in summer before. In winter yes, one expects some snow and ice but who would have predicted the record breaking amounts of rain we have had in April, June and July. So far the summer of 2012 has beaten all records, at least those going back to 1926 for Weymouth. This year 2012, for April, May June and July we have had 457mm of rain, that’s 18 inches of rain. Even the last wet year of 2007 could only muster 300mm/12 inches. The previous wettest summers were 1960 with 261mm and 1955 with 358mm.

Richard, in his review of the past quarter, makes reference to the extreme weather we have experienced so far this year and in view of recent events, it might be worth bearing in mind a few safety tips when travelling to task, or indeed otherwise. For example, if you encounter flood water be aware that it may contain animal and human waste from over-flowing sewers. If you are driving through a flood there may be hidden dangers such as tree debris, fence posts in fact any manner of objects that could puncture your car tyres or get stuck underneath your car. If you come across an accident it may be wise to phone the emergency services first before offering assistance in case you need rescuing and your phone is safe and dry in your car.

One benefit from all this rain is the beautiful Dorset countryside is even more stunning than ever - possibly at its best for nearly a hundred years - although this phase may not last long as we approach autumn. So when on your way to task or just driving somewhere start your journey a few minutes early to allow a stop to admire the great scenery. Take a map and look for alterative routes - you will come across some of the beautiful back-roads of Dorset. Why not take a photo or two. I am sure our web master can start a new page of great Dorset scenes. They may only be up for a few months but it would be nice to share. The trees in the editors’ garden are loosing leaves, so it may be that some trees have been tricked into thinking autumn has arrived early.

Tess has been working away trying to encourage more young people on task. It’s an uphill struggle because young people like to be with other young people. So if you know any parents with children or young people why not try to encourage them onto a DCV task. There are some easier tasks this quarter. Maybe we ought to designate one of the tasks suitable for young people and try to get them all out on the same day.

Finally, our President, Kevin Cook, wonders what hopes the DCV had at its inception 40 years ago. Have those dreams been met . . . what do you think? Coordinator’s Report

Given that we were running in to dig out most brambles rather carpentry for later. A dry start on Summer this report should be all than loping them off. Sunday saw the carpentry about tasks involving working in finished and as the rain set in we I missed the next couple of task shirt sleeves on warm sunny worked on getting the days as I was leading a working days, ho, ho, ho! intermediates in and with a late holiday for the National Trust, and very soggy finish managed Firstly we come to the two tasks step building and fencing at to get the first run of stocknet up. that missed my last report Ringstead. In the mean time because of the newsletter DCV were busy dry stone walling The Studland invasives task deadline. at and then the following coincided with the DCV Orchis week back at Dungy Head to trip so I was expecting a reduced Our work at Bincleaves, was to continue with the step building. turn-out but only two on Saturday improve access from the old I made the Sunday of this task was a bit disappointing. The pair coast path down to the beach, and it gives you some idea of of us (Peter & myself) busied building steps and a ladder. A how the wet weather affected the ourselves dealing with a mix of bright sunny Saturday got work previous work, when I tell you Fringecups, Himalayan Balsam of to a flying start. On Sunday that on each of these two warm, and a few stray ragwort plants. work slowed as the rain came in sunny days with ideal working On Sunday the turn-out crept up making the steep site slippery conditions we installed around to six and we managed to and working conditions 10 steps each day with a fairly complete our allotted areas in challenging. Even so the steps low turn-out. time for an early finish. were completed and the ladder built and set in place, leaving the The following weekend we were The following weekend was our hand rails to be completed later back at Dungy Head again first visit to Hooke this year, to in the week by the rangers. continuing our work on the steps deal with our old enemy, down to the beach. A very hot Himalayan Balsam. On Saturday The following week at Dungy Saturday provided an opportunity we revisited the site of last year’s Head the heavy overnight rain for further works on the drainage task there. With the DCV AGM in meant that on Saturday the path channel. While on the cooler the evening an early finish was in was a stream. In true DCV Sunday we focused on the order. fashion we battled on. Each step slower work of path widening board put in promptly created its Our AGM was in Martinstown and filling in the wear gullies. own private lake. By late village hall. As our speaker, afternoon, with the rain getting Unusually the one day task at Simon Cripps, needed to leave heavier, we had managed 7, Tyneham was on the Saturday of early we started with his talk steps, 1 per person and the path the Diamond Jubilee weekend. about conservation in the ocean. was in a horrendous state. It was Val had provided a variety or Very interesting but also very clear that we were starting to appropriately coloured cakes in specialised. This was followed by undo much of our previous work addition to the usual DCV fare of the buffet and the meeting itself. so with more rain forecast, the tea and biscuits. In addition to A good turnout and as always Sunday task was, reluctantly, the usual selection of gardening too much food. cancelled. Thus finished the jobs a rabbit fence was installed On Sunday we moved programme on a bit of a low. and part of a wall rebuilt. downstream to the fish farm and Thankfully the wet conditions The next weekend the forecast completed the section down to were in our favour at the first weather did not bode well for a the boundary of the DWT task of last quarter’s programme. fencing task at Ryewater where reserve. For once the DCV stove The mire at Upton Wood was the digging is often into already was given a rest as we had showing signs of actually being a wet clay. We made the most of a access to kitchen facilities mire. The little ponds were full dry Saturday and managed to courtesy of the B&B at the fish and the ground soft enough to get all 6 strainers dug in by farm. mean we could manage to pull or leaving the majority of the Coordinator’s Report

Cont’d . . .

The following Sunday was our roadside and wading through the We try to get cancellation second and probably final visit to floods outside the Kingcombe notifications out by email and the Swyre this year. Initially we Centre. However, with the River website as soon as we can but started on finishing the section of Hooke in flood and rising, any often the decision to cancel is wall started at our last visit but prospect of Himalayan Balsam not made until the leader arrives with numbers growing as people pulling alongside it was out of the on site. If you will be travelling far drifted in during the morning we question. So reluctantly the task then you may wish to check expanded operations to repair a was cancelled for both days. If before travelling if: couple of nearby holes. With all you want to see what the roads There has been heavy rain the of these completed, we finished from Dorchester northwards to day/night before and the task the day tidying up a section of the site were like! Take a look at involves: wall that fell out during the the Wessex FM website. • Being in or beside a water Winter in preparation for a future To have had to cancel three task course. visit. days in as many months is, I • Digging, i.e. steps, gates Hooke, oh dear, well I’m sure suspect, an unwelcome first, fencing. you have all now seen pictures especially at this time of year. • On a steep slope. of the havoc that the heavy However, the weather has been rainfall wrought on West Dorset rather exceptional and our this weekend. Yes, a few Summer tasks are often more Richard Meatyard determined souls made it to rain sensitive than the Winter Pound Cottage by parking up slash and burn tasks.

Social Diary DCV SWEATSHIRTS

The AGM provided the usual mix of excellent Sweatshirts with DCV logo available to food, the business of the meeting and an purchase: interesting talk from Simon Cripps DWT. Cost - £16.50 if collected on task The socials for the next quarter will include the or plus £2.50 for p & p. evening meal with the Orchis group on Saturday Sizes and colours - various 15th September followed by some informal Send cheque payable to dancing. This will be held at Church Knowle Dorset countryside Volunteers village hall at 6.45pm. The cost will be £5, please to bring a bottle. Please let Terry or Helen know if th Brian Thompson, 32 Cowleaze you would like to come - by Saturday 8 Martinstown, Dorchester, September. Dorset, DT2 9TD

Thursday 18th October at 7.45pm. Soup and Orders placed during August cheese at Helen’s with some items of interest will take a little longer due to road closures from recent trip to Ethiopia. Please contact for the Olympics. The company Brian orders Helen if you would like to attend. from is based in Weymouth. What influences our weather and why we get wet on task The Gulf Stream and Jet Stream are both ways the planet regulates surface temperature by redistributing both warm and cold air and water around the planet

The Jet Stream is a fast flowing, narrow air Britain experienced severe flooding as a result of current found in the area between the the polar jet staying south for the summer. tropopause and the stratosphere. The major jet streams on Earth are westerly winds The Gulf Stream, together with its northern (flowing west to east). Their paths usually extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic have a meandering shape; jet streams may Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift ocean start, stop, split into two or more parts or current that originates at the tip of Florida, and combine into one stream. The strongest jet follows the eastern coastlines of the United streams are the Polar jets, at around 7–12 States and Newfoundland before crossing the km (23,000–39,000 ft) above sea level. The Atlantic Ocean. It splits in two, with the northern higher and somewhat weaker Subtropical stream crossing to northern Europe and the jets are around 10–16 km (33,000–52,000 ft). southern stream recirculating off West Africa. The Northern Hemisphere and the Southern The Gulf Stream influences the climate of the Hemisphere each have both a polar jet and a east coast of North America from Florida to subtropical jet. The northern hemisphere polar Newfoundland, and the west coast of Europe jet flows over the middle to northern latitudes possibly raising the temperature in Britain by 5 of North America, Europe, and Asia and their degrees celsius making our winters warmer than intervening oceans, while the southern would otherwise be. One of the branches from hemisphere polar jet mostly circles Antarctica the tail of the Gulf Stream is the North Atlantic all year round. The wind speed inside a Jet Gyre. Its presence has led to the development of Stream will vary due to temperature but strong cyclones of all types. The Gulf stream speeds from 50mph to nearly 250mph have travels at an average of 4mph whilst the North been measured. Atlantic Drift travels at 1 mph

Jet streams are caused by a combination of a What's the difference between weather and planet's rotation on its axis and atmospheric climate? heating by solar radiation. Meteorologists now understand that the path of jet streams The difference is a measure of time. Weather is steers cyclonic storm systems at lower levels what conditions of the atmosphere are over a in the atmosphere, and so knowledge of their short period of time, and climate is how the course has become an important part of atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long weather forecasting. For example, in 2007, periods of time.

Air Currents Water Currents DORSET COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEERS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 23 June 2012

mapped the Dorset sea floor With DCV’s 40th anniversary Invited speaker Simon Cripps, and through the use of 3D in mind, President Kevin Chief Executive Dorset maps, can illustrate the Cook’s address to the group Wildlife Trust depth, type of sediment, what centred on awareness and lives there. This information anniversaries. What hopes, in turn informs where different he wondered, had DCV had Simon, an oceanographer by profession, highlighted sorts of fishing can be carried 40 years ago? environmental doom and out and offers protection to gloom in general, but said that areas so that they can be He reminded us of two other when something bad happens better managed to support anniversaries this year - 100 at sea, it’s not so visible and local fishermen and hopefully years ago naturalist Charles ways need to be found to prevent damage. Take a look Rothschild dreamt of illustrate what is happening. at the website for more safeguarding places where Problems affecting the sea information wildlife lived, a vision later to include: climate change, www.icoast.co.uk/ evolve into The Wildlife Trusts pollution, plastics, rubbish, movement. This year too invasive species, fishing, tragedy of the commons marks the centenary of In addition, Dorset Wildlife (areas not owned by anyone Charles Dickens whose Trust’s Great Dorset Seafood and therefore freely plundered novels, Kevin observed, make campaign promotes by all). no mention of the natural sustainable fishing. world. Kevin remarked that in Restaurants displaying the general conservation bodies What, he asked, can science Great Dorset Seafood sign are failing to meet their will provide, when available, targets and that there is a do? It can tell us about ecosystems, wastage, locally caught, sustainable disregard of core issues by efficiency of fishing gear. seafood on their menus, thus many people. There needs to influencing the market by be an awareness of the What it can’t do is make decisions – it can inform us giving the consumer the natural world and this has to power of purchase to drive come from personal but it can’t make the decisions. change. Look out for the sign experience, a subconscious and be a part of that change. understanding, perhaps missing in some, but DCV has So, what is the solution? recognised the need to act. Personal responsibility, listen We may be working against to advice from science, think the tide, but it is all we can do, what we can do locally. that and to remain optimistic. Dorset Wildlife Trust has ASSOCIATION ORCHIS LINK

One thing about our annual visit to DCV’s French The turnout was so good that we finished the task “twin” is that we never know quite what to expect early, giving us plenty of time to scrub up for the but it always turns out to be good. Normally we customary huge repas in a nearby village hall. Here, catch the ferry on our doorstep in , but with Orchis members reinforced themselves with family, constantly changing timetables we found the only friends and local worthies while laying out aperitifs Poole-Cherbourg crossing on Friday 15 June and an ample buffet. Those of us who have departed at 7 a.m. So we felt it would be better to experienced such gatherings had to remind ourselves drive to Portsmouth and catch a fast ferry at a that this was just the starter and that we would then more reasonable hour in the afternoon. be sitting down for the main course! This was Prospective numbers had fluctuated somewhat in accompanied by much wine and some delicious the previous few days, which proved a bit of a home made cider. Feeling very full, we almost forgot headache for Terry who organises these trips, but that a vast array of desserts (always a strong point in we finally became a party of 11, of whom 3 had Normandy) was about to appear! Few of us had much crossed to France earlier in the week. energy after that, but some still found the strength to dance before we finally packed up around midnight. The weather prospects for the weekend were mixed, to put it mildly, and as soon as we had We were allowed a lie-in on Sunday as this was a cleared the Solent it became obvious this was not sightseeing day. It began with another sumptuous going to be the smoothest of crossings. The crew pique-nique in the forest of St-Sauveur-le-Viscomte, were kept busy handing out sickbags in between followed by a walking tour of an arboretum which has rescuing bottles and glasses from the floor of the trees from every continent. There were some lively bar. Luckily only one DCV member succumbed to discussions here among both British and French mal de mer and all passengers seemed to have about the accuracy of the name labels! Finally a brief recovered by the time we glided into Cherbourg. visit to Portbail on the west coast of the Cotentin Here as always we were met by our hosts, ably peninsula before being driven to Cherbourg and a coordinated by Anne-Marie, Terry’s opposite much smoother crossing back to Portsmouth. number in St-Vaast-la-Hougue, the small seaport in which Association Orchis is based, 20 km or so We all agreed that the weekend had been as from Cherbourg. enjoyable and rewarding as any in the 15 year history of our twinning. Any DCV member can join in of We spent Friday evening getting reacquainted with course. You don’t need to spend a single euro while our hosts in their homes, in our unique brand of you are over there and, if languages are not your franglais, while being plied with great quality food forte, you can get by perfectly well in English. We will and drink. Thus we were ready for Saturday’s task be hosting the return visit of our Orchis friends the on the banks of the River Saire. The client, La weekend of 14-16 September and will need to Mouche de Saire, is actually no “fly” organization accommodate them for two nights. If you are able and but a well-established band of fishermen whom we willing to help at all, please contact Terry Gillott. did a task for the year before last. They catch trout Again - I stress - no knowledge of French is required! and occasionally salmon, so clearing the Looking forward to it. overhanging scrub provided them with an amenity as well as helping to diversify the wildlife of the Chris Huggill river bank. We seemed to have left the worst of the weather back in the UK, so after building three big DCV-style bonfires we settled down to the customary large pique-nique in warmish sunshine.

Health & Safety on task this summer

Remember that safety - your own and that of other people on task - is also your responsibility Follow safe working practices and think about the safety of others working near you

• Use sunglasses for protection against glare and the sun Protect your eyes • Safety goggles are available on task - ask the leader for a pair and wear them when using a mattock or pick on stony ground. Don’t work too close to others when using these tools - conversely, move yourself away if the mattock or pick user is too close to you • When cutting scrub or brambles, keep your head out of the way. Goggles are useful to wear here too.

• Wearing a long sleeved shirt and long trousers will protect you from Protect your skin the sun, scratches and ticks. • Wear a hat in the sun • Use sun cream or block - it’s easy to get sunburned when working • Protect your feet and toes by wearing stout footwear, steel toecaps can be bought fairly cheaply • Use a glove to hold a hot kettle

• Remember to drink plenty of water - little and often is best - keep a Dehydration small bottle near you • Work at a steady pace and don’t over exert yourself

• Use insect repellent when necessary Attacks • Remember to carry your own antihistamine (cream or pills) if allergic to bites • Wash your skin with cold water if you make contact with any plant sap to prevent irritation

TOOL USE

Remember when using spades (for digging) and shovels (for shifting and lifting) not to try to lift too much in one go. Lift with your knees bent, keeping a straight back.

Pick axes (for breaking up stony ground) and mattocks (breaking up soil with the broad end and chopping roots with the smaller sharp end). Don’t use gloves when using these tools as they may fly out of your hands wet or dry.

Iron bars, sharp ended, can be used for making holes especially in stony ground for fence posts. Iron bars, one sharp end and one blunt end, can be used in step building. The sharp end can be used to prise out the old steps and stobs and also to make a pilot hole for the new stob. The blunt end can be used to tamp down the soil or chippings used on top of the step. D C V DIARY August - October 2012 DATE TASK SITE CLIENT WORK 4/5 August River Hooke, Dorset Wildlife Trust Balsam pulling Kingcombe 12 August Hambledon Hill, North Natural England Ragwort pulling or Sunday Dorset scrub bashing 18/19 August Dungy Head, Lulworth Dorset Countryside Step work Cove 25 August Upton Wood, Poole Purbeck District Bramble cutting and Saturday Council pool digging 26 or 27 August Tool Store, Wool or task DCV Maintenance elsewhere Phone or check website 1/2 September St Alban’s Head, Dorset Countryside Drystone walling Purbeck 8/9 September Tyneham, Purbeck MoD Tyneham Farm Pond clearing Project 15/16 September Goathorn Peninsula, Private Pine cutting Purbeck 15 September Church Knowle village Dinner with Association Book by 8 September Saturday hall - 6.45pm Orchis 22 September , West Private Sheepwash restoration Saturday Dorset 23 September Symondsbury OR Private Sheepwash or dry Sunday Swyre stone walling 30 September Tadnoll, Purbeck Dorset Wildlife Trust Birch removal from Sunday heathland 4 October DCV Planning meeting Helen’s flat 7:45pm Thursday 6/7 October Lankham Bottom, West Butterfly Conservation Scrub cutting Dorset 13/14 October West Milton, West Private Scrub cutting Dorset 18th October At Helen’s - 7.45pm Soup and cheese 20/21 October Studland Heath, National Trust Gorse cutting Purbeck 28 October Ryewater Farm, West Plantlife Scrub cutting and Sunday Dorset fence repairs 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 : August - October 2012

4 & 5 August: River Hooke, Kingcombe, West Dorset This weekend we return to the wooded fens along the River Hooke to again do Kingcombe OS 194 battle with Himalayan balsam. Our earlier tasks this summer coincided with some exceptionally wet weather. Flood flows raged down the river flattening bankside balsams and almost everything else. On the last occasion the task site was inaccessible - flooded out. Hopefully on this visit we will have very much drier conditions and maybe even see the sun. Himalayan balsam, an introduced plant, has colonised wetlands across the country, becoming a nuisance in the conservation of our natural habitats. It’s only an annual but incredible numbers of seedlings can appear each spring. And they grow big and fast, by mid-summer easily overtopping the native plants and suppressing them with dense shade. Floods are no problem. Flattened plants re-root and grow upward again. Fortunately they are easily pulled up – though the big ones can put up stiff resistance - and once removed that’s a whole lot less Meet at Pound seeds to start another generation of plants next year. Our balsam pulling has Cottage SY 554 989 now extended from Hooke village down several miles of riverside. On this occasion we shall be doing a clean-up sweep removing any ‘survivors’ that escaped attention, before moving to a new area downstream. NB: Meet at Pound Cottage for onward travel. If late look for DCV board with instructions on where to go. Bring wellies or boots for wet ground. And as balsam often grows among nettles or sharp leaved sedges it’s best to come in clothes to protect your legs and arms. Gloves can be provided on the day if you don’t have any.

Sunday 12 August: Hambledon Hill, North Dorset Hambledon Hill OS 194 Our plant pulling season ends on this high chalk hill and ancient fortified site on the edge of the . From the upper slopes there are commanding views along the downland escarpment and over the Blackmoor Vale. Set against this wonderful backdrop we shall be traversing the slopes hunting ragwort and stuffing them in plastic sacks. And why do we do this? Well this is one of the best sites for chalkland plants and grassland mini beasts in Dorset. Livestock grazing is essential in maintaining this biodiversity, and to enable the animals to graze safely the ragwort must be controlled. In recent years there has been rather little ragwort to pull, showing the success of our tasks over the years. So we may be cutting baby scrubs on the steeper, bumpy slopes where machine cutting is not possible. This is important work, keeping back the constant effort of thorny scrub to take over the grassland. Meet & Park NB: There is no shelter on the hill, so bring suitable clothing. On a sunny In Lay-by ST 838 123 day it can get really hot, or rather it did in years gone past! So just in case the sun puts in an appearance, remember your sun cream and a hat. And stout shoes for the steep grassy slopes.

18 & 19 August: Dungy Head, Lulworth Cove, Purbeck Lulworth Cove OS 194 This weekend we resume our task rebuilding steps and putting in new ones on drops along a coastal footpath that descends to St Oswald’s Bay. The path lies in a spectacular part of the coast, in a sheltered valley sandwiched between the high chalk downs that form the backdrop to Lulworth Cove and the lower ridge of hard limestone that fronts the cove itself. The valley follows a band of soft clay geology which slips and slides and erodes easily, but gives access down to the bay. The path is steep, and with the wear of passing feet the soft clay erodes into gullies, sharp drops and slippery slides. For years there has been an ongoing battle to keep the path in good shape using steps and drainage. But the clay is constantly moving and the Meet in Car Park steps move too. So our help is needed to reposition old steps and Work Site At 10am for add some new steps on the steeper drops. The work involves lots of SY 817 800 Free Parking jobs from digging out unwanted clay, fixing the new wood boards, to reforming a firm path surface. We work in pairs or sometimes more, helping each other, with time to chat and some friendly rivalry on the best looking steps. NB: Please try to arrive by 10.00 am to pick up your car park pass from the task leader at Lulworth Cove car park. If late look out for car parking instructions on the DCV sign board, and follow our distinctive yellow arrows to the task site. Do remember to bring stout footwear, and suitable clothing for whatever the weather decides to deliver. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2012

Saturday 25 August: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole border We make a return visit to this area of natural greenspace on the urban Upton Wood OS 195 fringe of Poole to continue the management tasks we started last month. 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. Flowing through the site are some streams and ditches giving more variety. For local people the site provides an escape from the built environment, a readily accessible place for everyday contact with the natural world. Provided conditions are suitable we shall be clearing unwanted debris from the stream. We may dig out some more small pools in and around Molinia tussocks in the mire - habitat for dragonflies and other aquatic mini-beasts. Bramble invading from the woodland has a habit of scrambling over these tussocks where it could Meet & Park soon replace the mire vegetation. Elsewhere new bramble growth can On Pony Drive be a nuisance where it encroaches along paths. So we shall also be wielding slashers and loppers to keep the mire open and the paths clear and accessible for the many local visitors to the site. NB: Bring wellies if you have them for splashing about in the streams and for getting into the wetter parts of the mire. Extra task: We may run an impromptu task on Sunday or possibly the Bank Holiday Monday repairing the tool store roof at Wool, or perhaps finishing off a task elsewhere in West Dorset. Contact Richard or Peter or look at web site near the time for details.

St Albans Head OS 195 September 1 & 2: St Alban’s Head, Purbeck Our programme of tasks continues with another return visit, this time to the limestone headland that juts out to St Alban’s Head. Here, high above Chapman’s Cove, we have been helping to restore a drystone wall that runs alongside the coast path, enclosing fields from the coastal cliffs and slopes. Drystone walls can last for centuries but they do need maintenance to make good fallen and slumping stones, and collapses caused by the action of the weather, plant roots and livestock. Without this care a wall can fall into a derelict state. Over the years that’s what happened to this wall. Now the collapsed sections are being repaired to restore the traditional landscape setting for the coast path. You don’t have to be an expert to help. The basics are easily learnt and some experienced DCV wallers will be on hand for guidance. NB: The site is high and very exposed to winds and anything else Meet at Car Park SY964 775 the weather can deliver from the open sea. Fantastic views but do bring suitable clothing for changeable conditions, and your sun cream just in case we have the sun for company

8 & 9 September: Tyneham, Purbeck Tyneham OS 194 & 195 There have been comments circulating within DCV about the lack of pond tasks. Well, be careful what you wish for. We have been asked to make a start on desilting the village pond in the abandoned village of Tyneham. This is not a small pond. DCV desilted the pond over 20 years ago – it took several days and a large number of volunteers. Since then more silt has accumulated, brought in by drainage from surrounding land. This time the plan is to remove the silt in a number of phases spread over a few years. Even so, clearing just part of the pond will still be a challenge. So all those that have been missing pond tasks – this is the weekend to show your faces. 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 area is now part of the Lulworth firing ranges. The ruined cottages have been partially restored giving, on days Meet at when the ranges are open, a glimpse into the past - of everyday village life Car Park before the changes brought by the second half of the 20th century. With its unique setting the village has become a popular tourist destination. NB: This will be a messy task but in a lovely setting. Come in old clothes, wellies or suitable footwear for standing in mud and water, and be prepared to get wet, muddy and entertainment for the tourist visitors. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2012

15 & 16 September: Goathorn Peninsula, Purbeck Goathorn OS 195 This task takes us deep into Rempstone Forest and to the remote southern shore of . Hidden among the pines are groups of Task ‘nodding donkeys’, pumping oil from Britain’s main onshore oilfield. Our Site task takes us close to one of these pumping stations. On parts of the peninsula the plantation pines have been removed to restore heathland. This is where we have our task, among heathland clearings cutting out re-invading pine and other scrub in our usual ruthless ways with loppers and bowsaws. But there will be no fire. Think about it – bonfire, dry heathland and oilwells – no we don’t want to be responsible for Dorset’s Meet at Norden Park & Ride biggest ever fire. But the location is lovely and the task gives us 10am opportunity to see a little visited area of wooded heath and secluded bays on the shore of Poole Harbour. NB: We may be required to sign in at the site control centre. Try to arrive by 10.00am at the Norden rendezvous for onward travel to the centre and then the task site. If late make your way to the task site via Rempstone Farm along forestry tracks – we will try to get some DCV arrows in place to mark the route. On Saturday we will be joined by our twinning friends from Association Orchis providing lots of friendly chat in French and English. And there could be some special goodies to enjoy in our tea and coffee breaks.

22 and/or 23 September: Symondsbury, West Dorset Symondsbury OS 193 OR Sunday 23 September Swyre, West Dorset

This weekend we have two task options, both involving Park in Yard at stonework in the west of the county. We hope to continue Work Site SY 447 938 restoration repairs to an old sheepwash at Symondsbury. This task is weather dependent - we need dry conditions. But this summer dry days have been in short supply. So on Sunday only, if the weather is wet or the task at Symonsbury is completed on Saturday, we shall be returning to Swyre to continue restoration work on the drystone walls in the valley behind the village. The sheepwash was built years ago as a way of cleaning the sheep before shearing. The cut fleeces could then fetch a better price. Now there are more modern methods of cleaning fleeces. Those sheepwashes that survive lie abandoned and falling into disrepair as a relic of a bygone age in farming. It comprises a walled hollow with an entrance ramp built into a small stream and was used to hold up the flow allowing the sheep to be thoroughly dunked in water. We embarked on restoring the wash at Symonsbury several years ago. The priority on this occasion will be to fix loose stone slabs that surface the sheepwash and to repair the surrounding brickwork walls. There could well be more silt to remove from the bottom of the sheepwash, brought in by the stream after all the rain we have had in recent months.

Swyre OS 194 NB: For Saturday phone Peter or Richard or look out for an email on whether the sheepwash task will go ahead. For Sunday again phone or look out for an email as to whether we shall be at Symondsbury or Swyre. The sheepwash stone and brickwork repairs are on high, dry ground. But Park in Village if there are enough volunteers we may also splash around in the bottom SY 528 883 taking out silt. This will be messy, so bring your wellies and suitable clothes.

For Swyre bring stout walking type boots, ideally with steel capping – it hurts less if a stone falls on your foot! Park in Swyre village near Telephone Box. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2012

Sunday 30 September: Tadnoll, Purbeck Tadnoll OS 194 This task takes us to a wonderful expanse of heathland and grass wetland that extends right across the lower part of the Tadnoll valley. From the high points there are all round views of the Purbeck countryside. Lapwing, a wading bird that is fast declining as a breeding species in the English lowlands, still nests in the valley. While on the slopes many of the special plants and Meet & Park animals of heathland can be found. Free roaming ponies help to In Lay-by keep scrub invasion on the heath in check and they also open up SY 792 875 rank vegetation for more delicate species. But even the ponies have a job with birch invasion. So we shall be giving them some help with bowsaws and loppers, and a hot fire to enjoys drinks and catch up on the gossip. NB: Meet at lay by parking. The low lying ground can have areas of shallow surface flooding during wet weather periods. Bring wellies if you have them.

6 & 7 October: Lankham Bottom, West Dorset Lankham Bottom OS 194 After the summer wet maybe there is a chance that October will bring an Indian summer. If so this will be welcome for our visit to this chalkland nature reserve. With a low sun Meet at Track the reserve takes on wonderful subtle qualities. Long ST 606 003 shadows pick out the diversity of grassland textures on the downland slopes and village can be seen nestling among the shelter of trees in the valley below. And in the shelter of this chalkland valley it may still get warm enough to discard layers of clothes. As on previous visits the target for our tools will be the thickets of thorn, gorse and bramble. These have been insidiously expanding at the expense of the flower rich chalk grassland. The grassland plants host a diversity of butterflies, many of which have become much less common due to a widespread loss of suitable habitat to more intensive farming. We shall be cutting back some of the unwanted thorny stuff and consigning it to a hot bonfire for our teas and coffees. NB: Bring stout footwear and a good pair of lungs for walking on the steep slopes.

October 13 & 14: West Milton, West Dorset West Milton OS 194 North of the main road on the approach to from Dorchester there is an area of secluded, steep sided valleys. Just getting to this task site is a bit of an adventure - along narrow lanes, through deep cuttings overhung with ‘tunnels’ of trees and past tracks to remote farms. We take one such track which steeply descends over a river and into Farm. From here it’s on foot into a picturesque, steep sided valley seemingly hidden from the outside world. The autumn Meet & Park colours should be showing in the hedgerows and small woods, Powerstock Farm and on the trees that snake along the stream in the valley SY 505 963 bottom. We shall be continuing our usual task work at this site of clearing back scattered thickets of gorse and other scrub from the grassland slopes and along a bridleway. Some scrub provides valuable shelter for birds and mini-beasts but there is a need to keep it as a scattered mosaic with open grassland that provides grazing for livestock and habitat for grassland flowers and other insect life. So we shall be using our bowsaws, loppers and burning skills, all put to good purpose to brew DCVs classic smoky tea and coffee, consumed with lots of biscuits. NB: The path into the valley can be very muddy after wet weather, so bring waterproof footwear. Often the task day ends with a treat of tea and cakes back at the farmhouse, but no promises. D C V TASK PROGRAMME : August - October 2012

20 & 21 October: Studland Heath, Purbeck Studland OS 195

Even among all the wonderful places in the Dorset countryside this is a fantastic site. Studland, along with its sister heath at Godlingston, has more environmental Meet at Middle Beach designations than any other part of Dorset, at least 8 at Car Park for the last count, and a marine designation to come. Onward Travel Hardly surprising when one realises it has the greatest variety of habitats among all the Dorset heaths, and supports nearly all the iconic species to be found on these heaths. But even here there is the same old problem of scrub invasion. And also a need to re-cut gorse so as to provide the bushy re-growth loved by Dartford warblers and their insect prey. So we shall be busy cutting through some of this scrubby stuff in our usual ruthless way with bowsaws and loppers. It’s all in a good cause, to make our teas and coffees on a hot fire. NB: Meet at the NT Estate Office at Middle Beach car park for onward lifts to the task site (location yet to be decided). If late look out for DCV’s white board for instructions.

Sunday 28 October: Ryewater Farm, West Dorset Ryewater OS 194

This weekend we travel to one of our most distant task sites deep in the rural north of West Dorset. Here narrow lanes

Parking Area snake through wooded valleys and over fast flowing streams descending toward the lowlands in Somerset. This nature reserve is a wonderful reminder of the countryside of the past. It has flower rich hay meadows and pastures, big hedgerow trees and soggy areas for the plants and mini- beasts that like the wet. Over the years we have helped clear back scrub from the meadows, repair and replace fences and remove seemingly miles of old wire fence running through the hedges and streamside woods. On this occasion we are likely to be carrying out a variety of maintenance jobs from cutting scrub to clearing fence lines of collapsing branches. All with our usual teas, coffees and biscuits. 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 Farm reserve. It’s on the right 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.

BST to GMT

Don’t forget to change your clocks if you intend to go to Ryewater. Move them back one hour before you go to bed.