Last week we continued with preparing wood for charcoal burning, as there’s plenty of demand for our charcoal. Chris was on site early as usual to start the charcoal burners. Work began on repairing the jetty and more non-slip strips have been ordered. Last year’s saplings were checked and bracken cleared from them so they get the best chance of thriving. The weather has contributed to the growth spurt all around and we had to take a scythe to the long grass that was beginning to take over the paths.
Construction of the shelter continued, with a positively medieval feel to the building techniques and to the appearance of the shelter. Who knows – we may get a gothic arch?
Update from Jackie on the new bench by the redwood which has been purchased by Canal & River Trust from the winnings received when the tree was a runner up in the Welsh Tree of the Year 2017: Kevin Philips has asked Eric to come up with some words on the plaque which will go on the bench.
*
We will now be starting at 9.30 for anyone who wishes to come along earlier and leave earlier as we all suffer from overheating when the sun comes out down at the woodland because it is so sheltered. This Tuesday we’ll have visitors, including Darren and a colleague who will be having training on the splitter, and CRT Gilwern Volunteers who will be joining us to help out cutting back the bracken.
Here is the workplan:-
- Bracken cutting with CRT volunteers and check trees
- Splitter joining us and training to be given to hirer Darren
- Continue to repair the jetty
- Charcoal burn & sift – Lots of customers waiting for charcoal
- Get shave horses out and re-stock labels etc.
- Shelter construction continues – all hands needed to get the roof on!!
- Someone to put out the LCW sign in the pod on a pole by jetty.
Not on the work plan but still to do will be checking the bees. Bob and Jackie will be at the woodland at 9.30 to do this before the day gets too hot
Environmental notes
There’s plenty of wild angelica blooming around the stream and the first of the common spotted orchids are appearing. We’re still on the lookout for nesting birds and slow-worms.
