GVCV Task @ Emley Castle – Sunday 2^nd April 2023

The weather was with us for this year’s task at Emley Castle. The sun was shining as we helped local landowners (Tim and Nola) to clear bramble from a deer fence in need of repair, prune the orchard and remove willow from an area managed for bog loving plants.

Tim and Nola provided a fantastic lunch for the volunteers to say thank you for our efforts. A great farm site managed for wildlife with great hosts.

Edward helping clear bramble for his Duke of Edinburgh Award …

… with a little help from Sian and Candy.

Orchard before pruning …

 and after.

Lunch – normally we have lunch outside and bring our sandwiches so this was a special.

GVCV Social @ The Beacon Inn – Skittles and Dinner – Saturday 25th March 2023

Skittles is a great way for our Gloucester Vale Conservation Volunteers to show off their skills beyond cutting, planting and burning. On Saturday 25th March 2023, the group met for dinner and skittles at the Beacon Inn in Harefield (well worth a visit).

Despite our best efforts, Dave B won again this year and was duly awarded this 2023 medal to add to his growing collection.

Anthony in action

Dave B being awarded his medal by Dave E

On Sunday 19th February 2023, volunteers from GVCV gathered at Stinchcombe Hill. Stinchcombe Hill which is part of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (A.O.N.B.) supports a wide diversity of plants and animals. The hill includes important areas of Unimproved Cotswold Limestone Grassland (U.C.L.G.).

Working at the margins to maintain a clear route along the footpath

Beginning the clearing of area to revert to grassland

Working with Chris Wiltshire from the Stinchcombe Hill Trust, volunteers helped clearing trees with ash die back, created log piles in the woodland areas and helped clear scrub from an area to be converted to grassland.

Some trees we cut down, some trees we support, a typical GVCV supporter in action

The weather couldn’t have been better for a day on the hill as super keen GVCV volunteer David Blatcher noted, ‘I just love these tasks, I don’t know how Candy manages to book the weather. I am going to buy her a pint in the pub on the way home to say thank you’.

Just look at that sky – location could have been Greece, Spain or Italy, and no passport needed

GVCV is always welcoming new volunteers. If you fancy a day in the sunshine helping the environment, get in touch info@gvcv.org.uk.

The happy group, still smiling at the end of a day’s hard graft.