Bracken bashing at Old Spring Wood: 24-06-2014

The b…… season is definitely upon us.  The blooming balsam has been put on the back burner and the beating of beastly bracken has taken its place.  Armed with batons of hazel seven barmy volunteers and Paul entered Old Spring Wood in trepidation of what was to besiege us. 

The newcomers to bracken bashing were given a short introduction on the best way to tackle the brute. “Bruise but don’t break the stems.  Bracken is branched; ferns are feathery and should be treated with care.”   

Graham practises his bashing skills

 but Anita remains cheery.

The early part of the morning was fairly promising as many years of battering had banished the brute from large areas of the woodland which has now been replaced by beautiful ferns, blossoming foxgloves and berry laden bilberries.  

Foxgloves make a come back

The dream was soon broken by a bewildering barrier of brazen bracken rearing its ugly head. At this point an essential coffee break was declared.  

Anita starting to wish she had stayed at home.

Bracken, bracken everywhere .....

Bolstered with beautiful birthday cake (thanks Ros K.), with bated breath we boldly went forth to beset, bludgeon and beat the beast into submission. 

Meanwhile, three men had marched up to the top of hill to check on the trees of the newish woodland and then marched down again, had lunch and then marched up once more.  I believe it is thought that the trees are now big enough to look after themselves and shouldn’t need any more TLC.

Dave was particularly pleased with his efforts to sort out this tree.

Colin proudly surveys his better protected sapling.

  
By 2.30pm the bracken bashing bunch who were blistered, beat, bleary-eyed and bored battled their weary way back to base and home.

Anita