Joint Task With Friends of Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common (FOLK) 26th September 2021
The second joint task of the year with FOLK saw us working on the side of the hill. Eight GVCV members with a similar number from Folk mustered in Tramway Cottage car park on a warm and sunny early autumn day before setting off to collect our tools.
The work was to cut a nine foot wide corridor through an area of gorse to encourage the movement of butterflies from one area of the hill to another, in particular the rare Duke of Burgundy which is present on specific areas of the hill.
The group split into two and worked from each end of the designated section with the hope of meeting in the middle. Fires were started at each end of the corridor to burn off the cut gorse which was rapidly piling up.
The warm sunshine and stunning views of Cheltenham created a tranquil, almost spiritual backdrop to the work which was enhanced when a nearby gorse bush went up in flames! Fortunately it was soon extinguished. With the butterfly corridor created by lunchtime most people departed although a few remained into the early afternoon to tidy up and let the fires burn down.
Here’s hoping to a procession of Duke of Burgundy butterflies next spring.
Rob Niblett