GENERAL INFORMATION.
Be sure to bring suitable working clothes, waterproofs and wellies and a strong pair of gardening gloves, something waterproof to sit on (eg, bin bag) plus food and drink. For those who are unsure of where to go please ring the task leader.
The outlined task description is a guide to give you an idea of what to expect but quite often events overtake us and we may be given something quite different to do.
Please note that some Post Codes have been included to assist those with Sat. Nav. and give a general indication of the vicinity of the task and not necessarily the exact location.
Don't forget to keep up your tetanus jabs. If you have had a few over the years it is possible that you won't need any more.
Please arrive by at least 9.45am for a 10am start as often we will be moving on to the work site.
Sunday 3rd november
CRANEMORE COMMON
Scrub clearance here for the Heath Lobelia.
From Old Milton take the A337 Christchurch Road and then turn right at the roundabout along Ringwood Road through Walkford towards A35. Just before the crossroad at Hinton Admiral there id a gate on the left into a field.
What3Words: ///jubilant.flattered.evenings
Map Ref: SZ 207952
User Body: Meyrick Estate
Task Leader: Peter Harris.
Tel No: 01590 643144
Mobile: 0781 6178591
Sunday 10th november
ROCKFORD COMMON
Rockford Common is the first bit of 'wild' heath and forest you get to when heading north from Ringwood. Rhododendron from the neighbouring properties is spreading onto the heath, plus silver birch and non-native turkey oaks are shading out the heather.
We will be cutting and removing this invasive vegetation to conserve the heathland.
If going east from Ringwood on the A31 take the first exit and at the roundabout turn 1st left. Then right at the 'T' junction, then right into Gorley Road, just before the White Hart Inn. Then continue as below. *
If going west along the A31 look out for the signpost giving direction to Hightown/Poulner (before you get to Ringwood) Take the exit and at the mini roundabout turn right into Southampton Road towards Poulner. Continue until you get to mini roundabout just before the White Heart Inn into Gorley Road. * Keep heading north on Gorley Road to Highwood Lane-this is very narrow and tree lined. Cross a ford, round a corner then along a straight section of lane. Weave round a very narrow left then right bend. Immediately after the bend is a turning to the right-which is not signposted. Keep following this lane up the hill where the tarmac runs out and becomes a gravel track.
Cross a cattle grid and ignore the National Trust sign saying 'No Unauthorised Vehicles Beyond This Point' Park in any of the dirt laybys on the left where we meet.
What3Words: ///bronzer.crinkled.glitter
User Body: Hampshire Countryside Services
Map Ref: SU 168075
Post Code: BH24 2NB
Task Leader: Wendy Mitchell
Tel No: 01590 644060
Mobile: 0780 5970 001
Mobile: 0780 5970 001
Sunday 17 november
GREAT NEWBRIDGE COPSE
Task to be confirmed.
From the A337 Lymington to New Milton Road, turn into the Efford Estate, housing Otter Nursery. Do not turn into the nursery but keep straight on until you reach some outbuildings, Continue on down the track on the right of the scaffolding firm and will park up the lane past the gate.
User body: Terry Gage.
Map Ref: SZ 307937
Post Code: SO41 0JD
Task Leader: Peter Harris.
Tel No: 01590 643144
Mobile: 0781 6178591
Sunday 24th november
GRAVELLY MARSH, NORTH SOLENT RESERVE
THIS TASK IS CANCELLED, DUE TO THE WEATHER.
Sunday 1st december
BOLDRE LANE
We will be cutting back blackthorn regrowth.
Meet in the car park at the Red Lion car park at 0950 and drive in convoy to Richards house where we will leave the cars. A short walk to the working site.
What3 Words: ///transfers.fittingly.presides
User Body: Richard Collenette
Post Code: S041 8NE (Pub)
Grid Ref: SZ 319983
Task Leader: Julie Thomas
Tel. No: 023 8066 6665
Mobile: 0747 4264 050
Sunday 8th December
GREAT NEWBRIDGE COPSE
Task to be confirmed.
From the A337 Lymington to New Milton Road, turn into the Efford Estate, housing Otter Nursery. Do not turn into the nursery but keep straight on until you reach some outbuildings, Continue on down the track on the right of the scaffolding firm and will park up the lane past the gate.
User body: Terry Gage.
Map Ref: SZ 307937
Post Code: SO41 0JD
Task Leader: Roy Bower
Tel. No:: 01590 670603
Sunday 15th december
IBSLEY COMMON
Greater Broomrape is a very rare and mysterious plant that is a parasite of gorse. The largest population of this plant is at Ibsley Common in the New Forest.
We will be cutting and burning gorse to create a varied structure to the gorse to benefit the plant.
If coming from the south/Ringwood direction, turn off the A31 at Ringwood and take the A338 north to Salisbury. After about 3 miles the main road enters Ibsley, just before the thatched Old Beams pub on the right, take the right turn signposted 'Ibsley and south Gorley' At the end of lane turn left and follow the road through Ibsley Village. Just past Ibsley Garage on the left is a right turn- Newtown Farm Road (if you get to Hockeys Farm shop on your right-you've missed the turn) -follow road up the hill until it becomes a dirt track. Take the right fork when it splits (Ignoring National Trust sign saying "No Unauthorised vehicles beyond this point " Watch out for potholes on this track. After a line of dragons teeth there is a gateway on the left-go up the track onto the common to park.
What3Words: ///funk.saloons.headrest
Map Ref: SU 166100
Post Code: SP6 2PW
User Body: Hampshire Countryside Services
Task Leader: Dave Thomas
Tel. No: 023 8066 6665
Mobile: 0747 4264 050
Sunday 22nd december
NEWLANDS MANOR
Tasks to be revealed on day.
From the B3058 Lymington to Milford on Sea Road, turn right onto the tarmac drive signposted Newlands Manor and next to the South Lawn Hotel. Continue up this drive and meet at the turkey oak tree.
User Body: Newlands Manor Residents Association
Map Ref: SZ287933
Post Code: SO41 0RF
Task Leader: Heather Lipscombe
Tel. No.: 01590 671915
Mobile: 0778 4871053
Sunday 29th December
NORTH SOLENT RESERVE
Site and task TBC
User Body: Natural England
Task Leader: Julie Thomas
Tel. No: 023 8066 6665
Mobile: 0747 4264 050
Sunday 5th January
SHIRLEY FARM
Rhododendron removal and burning.
Meet by the metal gate in Braggers Lane, Bransgore. We shall be moving from there to the work site.
User Body: Simon Butler
Map Ref: SZ 192998
Post Code: BH23 8EF
Task Leader: Heather Lipscombe
Tel. No.: 01590 671915
Mobile: 0778 4871053
Sunday 12th January
CRANEMORE COMMON, MEYRICK ESTATE
Todays Task is to continue the work we have been doing previously, clearing scrub and silver birches to encourage the Heath Lobelia. 'Lobelia urens', an incredibly rare wildflower.
The plant prefers poor acid soils thriving on heathland and favouring disturbed ground. Over time, the ideal growing conditions of open heathland have been replaced by woodland and this has led to its demise.
What 3Words: //metro.searcher.intricate
Grid Ref: SZ 2081 9507
User Body: Meyrick Estate
Task Leader: Peter Harris.
Tel No: 01590 643144
Mobile: 0781 6178591
Sunday 19th January
HYDE COMMON
Seepage mires a very rare wetland habitat and some of the finest examples in Europe are on the western edge of the New Forest. In order to help keep the specialist habit wet, we need to be clearing gorse and birch on the slopes of Hyde Common.
Directions; If travelling from Ringwood direction-take A338 towards Salisbury. About 1 mile south of Fordingbridge, look for right hand turn signposted "Hyde/Hern Lane. Follow this lane for a mile and at the top of the hill there is a cross road with Hyde Primary School on the right and a cricket pitch on the left.. Carry straight on, pass the school and across the common. At the crossroads turn right and go pass the Foresters pub on the left. After half a mile, turn right into a large gravel car park. Cross the car park and go up a slop to an upper level where we will meet.
This is Abbots Well car park, Frogham.
What3Words: ///fishnet.princes.protected.
Map Ref: SU178128
Post code: SP6 2JA
User Body: Hampshire Countryside Services
Task Leader: Dave Thomas
Tel. No: 023 8066 6665
Mobile: 0747 4264 050
Sunday 26th January
NORTH SOLENT RESERVE
Site and task TBC
User Body: Natural England
Task Leader: Julie Thomas
Tel. No: 023 8066 6665
Mobile: 0747 4264 050
Sunday 2nd February
MINSTEAD STUDY CENTRE
Lots of different jobs to do
In Minstead village, go past Trusty Servant pub on your left and take next turning left. The lane goes uphill and then downhill. Take the road on the right, just before the ford which is signposted "Furzy Gardens" and "Study Centre" The study centre is just there on the right.
Meet at Study Centre
User Body: Minstead Study Centre
Map Ref: SU 278108.
Post Code: SO43 7GJ
Task Leader: Paul Taylor
Tel.: 01794 511196
Sunday 9th February
ROYDON WOODS
Probably scrub clearance and pine removal.
Meet at the reserve car park and then we will be moving on.
From Brockenhurst, turn left from the B337 immediately past the Filly Inn and follow the track keeping right until you see a small car park.
What3Words: ///sourcing.spans.print
Map Ref: SU 307004
Post Code: SO42 7UF
User Body: Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust
Task Leader: Peter Harris.
Tel No: 01590 643144
Mobile: 0781 6178591
Sunday 16th february
NEWLANDS MANOR
Tasks to be decided
From the B3058 Lymington to Milford on Sea Road, turn right onto the tarmac drive signposted Newlands Manor and next to the South Lawn Hotel. Continue up this drive and meet at the turkey oak tree.
User Body: Newlands Manor Residents Association
Map Ref: SZ287933
Post Code: SO41 0RF
Task Leader: Wendy Mitchell
Tel No: 01590 644060
Mobile: 0780 5970 001
Sunday 23rd February
NORTH SOLENT RESERVE
Site and task TBC
User Body: Natural England
Task Leader: Heather Lipscombe
Tel. No.: 01590 671915
Mobile: 0778 4871053
Sunday 2nd March
COPYTHORN COMMON
Clearing brash and burning.
Meet at the lay-by next to Copythorne Infants School on Romsey Road, running from Cadnam to Ower.
What3Words: ///aviation.importers.diver
User Body: Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust.
Map Ref: SU307155
Post Code: SO40 2PB
Task Leader: Gwyn Alford
Mobile: 0745 6914 687
Sunday 9th March
GREAT NEWBRIDGE COPSE
Task to be confirmed.
From the A337 Lymington to New Milton Road, turn into the Efford Estate, housing Otter Nursery. Do not turn into the nursery but keep straight on until you reach some outbuildings, Continue on down the track on the right of the scaffolding firm and will park up the lane past the gate.
User body: Terry Gage.
Map Ref: SZ 307937
Post Code: SO41 0JD
Task Leader: Roy Bower
Tel. No:: 01590 670603
Sunday 16th March
LYMINGTON & KEYHAVEN NATURE RESERVE
The sheltered block of gorse and blackthorn scrub at Keyhaven is where a few years ago nightjars nested for the first time ever on the nature reserve, in an area cleared of vegetation created by yourselves. There are now over half a dozen pairs of nightjars nesting at the reserve. and so we will be cutting back more gorse to maintain suitable habitat for this rare and unusual species.
We will meet at 0930 at the car park at the end of Lower Pennington Lane, Lymington.
We will travel to the site in the trailer or walk along the ancient highway to the site
What3Words: ///undertook.flask.lance
Map Ref: SZ 318927
Post Code: SO41 8AL
User Body: Hampshire Countryside Services.
Post Code: SO41 8AL
Grid Ref: SZ 318 927
Task Leader: Dave Thomas
Tel. No: 023 8066 6665
Mobile: 0747 4264 050
Sunday 23rd March
BOLDRE LANE
Continuing our work in clearing the regrowth of blackthorn.
We will meet at 0950 at the Red Lion Pub in Boldre. from there we will drive to Richards house to park the car and then a short walk to the site.
What3 Words: ///transfers.fittingly.presides
User Body: Richard Collenette
Post Code: S041 8NE (Pub)
Grid Ref: SZ 319983
Task Leader: Wendy Mitchell
Tel No: 01590 644060
Mobile: 0780 5970 001
Sunday 30th March
NORTH SOLENT NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
Actual site TBA
Scrub clearance.
Task Leader: Wendy Mitchell
Tel No: 01590 644060
Mobile: 0780 5970 001