Elmsett Greenlife Grove Scheme

Improving the hedgerow

2012-01-20T14:12:00.011Z

As you can see from the photo, the hedge between Buckle's Wood and the village meadow is in a sorry state! Some serious restoration is needed.
We have applied for a pack of saplings from The Woodland Trust, given to communities as part of the Jubilee celebrations. When I last looked, they had received over 7,000 requests. If we are lucky, it will be a great start to our project. the birds, insects and other wildlife that are attracted to well maintained hedges will be glad too!

Planting trees is good for the planet

2011-12-17T19:23:00.001Z

Coppicing

2011-11-22T16:05:00.003Z

The trees along the ditch on the western edge of our woodland have been coppiced in time gone by. This ancient way of woodland management, by cutting trees down at their base, encourages vigorous new growth and helps to prolong the their lifespan. The cut timber has many uses.
www.coppicing.com has lots of additional information and illustrated examples of good practice.

Fabulous Fungi

2011-11-15T18:59:00.011Z

The recent mild, wet weather is just right for fungi. This year there are many different species popping up through the grass. Last Sunday was warm and sunny, so I wandered round with my camera.

I wish I knew more about mushrooms and fungi, their names in particula

Last Sunday, The Living World on Radio 4 featured two experts discussing their finds on a fungi foray in Wales. It was fascinating.

Tidying up

2011-10-29T08:48:00.011+01:00

James has trimmed the ground cover away from the base of the hedges, where the blackthorn was encroaching onto the rides and cut back the new growth on the section of hedge that has been layed. Since then, the other side of this section has been cut by Robert Fison's contractor.

The Spindle bushes really stand out now, with branches full of fruits and seeds, which are poisonous. The wood from these shrubs were once used for spindles, knitting needles and skewers.
While I was taking these photos, a few starlings were enjoying the last of the sloe and blackberries in the hedgerow.

Heaps of hay and baskets of berries

2011-09-11T15:04:00.003+01:00

We concentrated on the area in the middle of the woodland and then on the rides leading up to it. I would say that more than half of the grass has been raked off and heaped into piles amongst the trees. The rest will be done as and when the sun shines and people have an hour to spare.

There are lots of berries and fruit on the trees in the woodland and the hedgerow. The birds and beasts will have full tummies, if the apple and blackberry cumble makers don't find them soon!

New notice board

2011-09-07T16:39:00.005+01:00

Our smart new notice board is in place at the entrance to the wood. James has cut the paths, so as the weather forecast is reasonable, we are ready to rake the rides this Saturday morning (10th) starting at 10.30.

Please bring a wheelbarrow, rake and a drink. We shall be providing a variety of cakes! Everyone welcome.

Competition time!

2011-08-02T13:27:00.006+01:00

When we had completed our mini-beast home, we invited our enthusiastic workers, (the children in class 3 and 4) to enter a competition to think of a name for our new 'des res' and design an explanatory poster to display to all the woodland wanderers.
THE WINNERS ARE...
Lauren Diduca for 'Beastly Towers'.
Lily Shirred for her well thought out design (shown above).
We hope you all enjoyed your prizes!

New Housing development in Buckle's Wood

2011-06-23T09:47:00.007+01:00

James brought the pallets up to the wood last weekend and arranged them in this inspirational way, so that when the children from years 3 and 4 arrived with their collection of natural building materials, they were keen to get started!

They pushed hay, straw and crunched up egg trays into the middle and then began to make interesting holes and routes into our construction, to make easy access for the future residents.

With a roof on top, and lots of different gaps and spaces, I think everyone has done a jolly good job. Let's hope the mini beasts think so too!

These people helped us with this project. Hilary Furlong found the pallets, which were given to us by Andy Barnes. Parents gave us the internal fitments. Badgers, guided by Mrs Burdiss, completed the building with gusto! Thank you .

The magic of moths

2011-06-01T20:05:00.020+01:00

After a day of heavy showers, the sky cleared and the moths arrived as it grew dark. Not as many as usual, as the temperature was a tad cool, but our knowledgeable expert Tony Prichard was able to capture and identified about 15 different moths.
The Privet and Lime Hawk-moths were magnificent. Taking photos was tricky and the images don't reflect their true beauty.

The Lime Hawk-moth (above) was a female with an bulging abdomen full of eggs.

The evening was summed up in an email from John, a member of the group
"Just a note to say thank you for organising last night’s moth hunt. It was a most enjoyable evening and the hot dogs and soup were delicious! The sight of the privet hawk moth will stay with us a long while!
We would like to thank Tony for giving us a splendid evening.
There are over 2,000 species of British moths and Tony Prichard has photos of many of them on his website. It's well worth a look!
As promised, Tony has sent a list of the moths that we looked at during the evening.

0014 Hepialus humuli ~Ghost Moth. 00 17 Hepialus lupulinus~ Common Swift. 1011 Pseudargyrotoza conwagana. 1082 Hedya pruniana~Plum Tortrix. 1333 Scoparia pyralella. 1376 Eurrhypara hortulata Small Magpie. 1727 Xanthorhoe montanata ~Silver-ground Carpet. 1782 Horisme tersata ~Fern. 1825 Eupitheciacentaureata~Lime speck Pug. 1906 Opisthograptis luteolata ~Brimstone Moth. 1976 Sphinx ligustri ~Privet Hawk-moth. 1979 Mimas tiliae ~Lime Hawk-moth. 2089 Agrotis exclamationis ~Heart & Dart 2107 Noctua pronuba ~Large Yellow Underwing. 2126 Xestia c-nigrum ~Setaceous Hebrew Character. 2128 Xestia triangulum ~Double Square-spot. 2194 Mythimna albipuncta ~White-point .2337 Oligia strigilis~ Marbled Minor. 2339 Oligia latruncula ~Tawny Marbled Minor. 2387 Caradrina morpheus ~Mottled Rustic. 2477 Hypena proboscidalis ~Snout

New housing development in Elmsett!

2011-05-24T17:07:00.004+01:00

During the next half term, with help from the pupils at Elmsett School, this pile of old pallets will be transformed into a desirable residence for the smaller, wildlife inhabitants of our woodland.

A great way to recycle pallets and do our bit to support this year's environmental theme

BIODIVERSITY.

Watch this space!

Three cheers for our football team!

2011-05-17T10:06:00.004+01:00

Elmsett School's fete turned out to be a successful event for all.
The school won the football tournament, the weather was dry (for most of the time, we were able to give our treasurer some profit from our stall and the raffle prize winners were cheerfully surprised!
James Hitchcock is looking forward to afternoon tea at Hintlesham Hall.
Margaret Nelson will enjoy using the eco-friendly contents of her Buckle's Wood Bag.
David Cross will use his binoculars to look for his lost golf balls.
Liam Glennon will be able to use his wind up torch on the Moth Hunt in Buckle's Wood on the 31st May, with Tony Prichard as our guide.

In the Merry Month of May

2011-05-12T08:59:00.000+01:00

This photo of our stall at the school's fayre was taken last year. Lots of people enjoying the sunshine, buying raffle tickets and Buckle's Wood bags!
After weeks of sunshine and no rain, the prospect of heavy showers for this year's fete on Saturday, is not good. But we shall be there with our gazebo, hoping that the rain lands on Buckle's Wood and not on the meadow.
There will be super prizes to be won in our raffle and lots of bargains on the nearby stall belonging to the school's recycling centre.

Moth Hunt

Yes, I know it's a Red Admiral butterfly, not a moth, but I'm hoping to take loads of photos on the 31st May, when Tony Prichard will be leading our moth hunt. The evening will start with refreshments at 8.45, and finish late! Tony is Suffolk's moth expert and is not charging us for this event. You will find lots information about and photos of moths on his website.
Numbers will be limited, so if you would like to join in with the fun send an email to eggscheme@gmail.com

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-17T16:28:00.004+01:00

We had a good time looking for Easter eggs in the wood on Saturday and all the hunters received a chocolate one, as a reward for their efforts! The refreshments were delicious, as usual! Four lucky people won more chocolate treats in our raffle.

Many people had not visited Buckle's Wood before and were impressed by our achievements. Members of the committee have worked hard to ensure a successful event, so a big thank you to Fiona and Pam (hunt and Easter egg organisers), Jackie, Caroline, Alison and other refreshment providers, and last but not least, Maria and Wheaten Mill for providing the raffle prizes.

Spring and Easter Eggs

2011-04-08T16:57:00.004+01:00

The sun was peeping out every now and then as I wandered around the wood, admiring the lovely display of flowers on the blackthorn bushes in the hedgerow. There were lots of bumble bees hovering along the ground, looking for suitable holes to lay their eggs and a Peacock butterfly was sunning itself by the side of the ride. Let's hope that Saturday morning on the 16th April will be sunny and warm, for our EASTER EGG HUNT. It starts at 10.30 (meet at the village hall) and finishes, with a raffle and refreshments The following evening was warm and windless. A good time to see if the barn owl was about. No barn owl, but a lovely sunset!

National Nest Box Week.

2011-02-15T18:51:00.003Z

The snow on our Barn Owl box looked undisturbed by anything large , but perhaps
some smaller birds sheltered in there when the weather was really bad.

All the sticks and debris left by previous occupants (not Barn Owls) have been cleared by Roger's ornithologist friend. Perhaps the pair of Barn Owls that were hunting over the wood on Monday will be tempted to make this their home, although they might be put off by at least two people aiming cameras at them!

For those people who want to encourage more birds to nest in their garden, this page on the BTO site might be useful.

Hedge Laying Day

2011-02-05T16:56:00.007Z

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to postpone this event, but we hope to hold it before the new growth starts this spring.

We shall be laying our next section of hedge on
Saturday 12th Feb, starting at 10 o'clock.
There is a "how to do it" video clip on this very interesting
site about woodlands.

The length of layed hedge needs tidying up and we want to
find a suitable spot for a pond or boggy area. This year we want
encourage a greater variety of wild life into our woodland.

Selling our forests.

2010-11-20T19:54:00.008Z

If you are concerned about the news that the government are planning to sell our national forests to private companies, go to 38degrees and join the 100,000 plus people who have signed their "Save our Forests" petition.

Jonathon Porritt makes his views clear on his blog--as usual!

The children at Elmsett School have their own area in Buckle's Wood. They used logs as seats , to make an outdoor classroom near their trees. They also helped to plan our woodland and were asked to write down their wishes for our woodland's future. Many hoped that it would be a peaceful place, full of wildlife and give pleasure to many future generations.

We've made a good start.

A.G.M.

2010-10-18T14:02:00.003+01:00

Our A.G.M will be held at Elmsett Methodist Church on Thursday 2nd December, starting at 7.45.

Many people enjoy walking round the wood and have kept the grass along the centre of the rides under control.

James has cut them back to their original width, to help Barn Owls with their winter hunting and to ensure that our walkers aren't faced with a thin muddy track when the weather gets bad.

We are planning another hedge laying session, when the leaves have dropped.

Bye-bye Butterfly?

2010-07-26T18:01:00.009+01:00

This week the Butterfly Conservation Trust is urging everyone to spend 15 minutes looking for and recording the butterflies that inhabit their garden or local area. There are more details and forms to fill in and return on their website, but it is best to choose a sunny day.

Loss of habitat and climate change are two possible reasons for their decline. There are too many gardens covered with decking and used for offroad parking . Butterflies need flowers that that attract insects. Many of the wildflowers that we have planted have survived and are attracting butterflies, bees, hover flies and other pollinating insects.

But why a photo of a Cinnabar Moth caterpillar? Well, environmental scientists are concerned about their welfare as well. This one was tucking into some ragwort in Buckle's Wood and although this plant is poisonous to livestock, and the caterpillars that feed on it, distasteful to predators, it would be sad if both disappeared from our landscape.

News and Next Working Party

2010-06-30T13:42:00.006+01:00

James has cut the rides, with a few extra diversions, a pleasing number of wild flowers are thriving and butterflies, insects and other small creatures were apparent when I wandered round yesterday with my camera.
I shall have to get help with identifying some of the things that I photographed, like this construction in the grass
There's a website that will do just that for people like me, who have a great interest in the environment, but not the knowledge to go with it! So why not bring your camera to our next working party.
Saturday 17th July. We'll be starting at 10 o'clock

Marvellous Moths

2010-06-14T15:05:00.015+01:00

Everyone had a good time on Saturday, with thanks to Mark who writes:-

Thank you having me along this morning to show what came to the moth traps last night. A wonderful gathering for a Saturday morning, which goes to show how much regard everyone has for their woodland wildlife. The bacon sandwich was a real bonus.

The following is a list of species encountered:
Pale Tussock~ Spectacle ~ Buff Tip~Vine's Rustic~ Buff Ermine~ White Ermine, Oak Hook-tip Brown Rustic~ Nutmeg~Common Swift~ Setaceous Hebrew Character
Mottled Rustic~ Pale Mottled Willow~ Heart and Dart~ Light Emerald
Small Waved Umber~ Small Magpie~ Shoulder-striped Wainscot
Common Wainscot Not forgetting the birds: Last night there was a Barn Owl hunting the field to the east and a Little Owl on the telegraph wires.
Today, we heard and/or saw:

Blue Tit~ Great Tit~ Yellowhammer~ Chaffinch~ Dunnock~ Whitethroat,
Lesser Whitethroat~ Song Thrush~ Wood Pigeon~ Jackdaw.All I need now are some photos please!

Discovering Moths

2010-05-31T09:06:00.007+01:00

Our next event, on Saturday 12th June, will be a moth hunt, led by Mark Nowers, the RSPB warden at Wolves Wood. It will be an early start, as we shall look at the moth trap with Mark at 8 o'clock.

Not all moths are boringly dull and just fly at night. Pyraustra purpuralis, (above) which is small enough to fit on a 5p coin, was flying about the borders in bright sunlight.

Here are some more interested facts to whet your appetite, with grateful thanks to an article in this Saturday's environmental section of the East Anglian Daily Times!

More than 2,500 species of moths have been recorded in Britain and the Channel Isles.

Some moths travel here from Europe and North Africa.

They pollinate plants and are eaten by bats and birds.

And, like other forms of wildlife, their numbers are declining.

We shall have a short break for a bacon butty breakfast and then Mark will help us to identify bird songs, as we stroll round the wood.

If it's wet, the event will be cancelled

School Fete

2010-05-16T11:43:00.003+01:00

The School's annual village fete is next weekend (22nd. May) and the EGGS team will be there with our Buckle's Wood, long lasting and sustainably made bags. These are much better for our planet than plastic bags. Have you read about the huge area in the Pacific Ocean that is clogged up with tiny pieces of plastic, carried there by the world's ocean currents.
We shall fill a Buckle's Wood bag with eco-goodies, to offer as our raffle prize and bargain second hand books for you to purchase and enjoy at your leisure.

Spring

2010-04-27T09:05:00.011+01:00

Went up to the wood with my camera one sunny afternoon recently and had a pleasant, peaceful time, just wandering around, listening to the birds (Jackdaws, Rooks, a Green Woodpecker and other singing songsters in the hedgerow) and taking the odd photo.
The flowers on the Blackthorn were just coming out and looked lovely.
A Peacock butterfly was fluttering about between the new trees and the hedge, as were a number of Bumble bees.
Most of the trees had green leaves showing and I came away thinking all's well-- but we do need some rain!!!

Another sunny day!

2010-04-11T11:10:00.009+01:00

We made some more wood piles in the last area that we planted, using some of the trimmings from the last hedge laying session. The rest of the debris was burnt and enjoyed by all the "helpers!"

Trees and guards were checked, a few dead trees were replaced, and some spiral guards were swapped for rigid ones.

The heap of mulch was distributed around the base of trees that didn't get much last year and we scouted round for litter (not much) and broken guards, canes and stakes (only a few).

Some wild flower plants have started to grow. Bumble bees and a few butterflies were about and of course-most of the trees are showing signs of coming into leaf.

A big thank you to Jackie (for organising the refreshments), all the soup and cake providers and Maria for the eggsellent, extra surprises for all the children who helped.

Saturday 10th April. Next working party.

2010-04-05T11:24:00.003+01:00

We aim to start work at 10 o'clock.

Tree stakes and guards need to be checked and the heap of mulch by Blanche's bench should be distributed round trees.

Please bring wheelbarrows, spades, lump hammers, and loppers/secateurs. We also need to move some of the the debris from the hedge laying session into the wood, to make wood piles.

As I walked round the wood last week, Jackdaws flapped off noisily from the Barn Owl box. No sign of the Kestrels, although the Barn Owl has been seen hunting over the wood at dusk recently.

New map

2010-03-11T13:28:00.006Z

This orienteering map was drawn up by Simon Peck from the Suffolk Orienteering Club, for Elmsett school.

Now, where to put that pond?

Exchanging Links

2010-03-04T14:28:00.005Z

Last week I received an email from Raz Godelnik who thought that our blog was really interesting. Raz is the CEO of Eco-Libris, a green company in America.
The group promotes tree planting, with an extra dimension, in that they ask people to plant a tree for every book or books that they read. They are also supporting green books. You’ll have to look at their website to find out what they are!

The year of the pond?

2010-02-21T15:41:00.004Z

We've been talking about a pond for a long time and all the benefits that it would have for wildlife.
It could be an interesting experience for everyone!

A date for your diary.

2009-12-27T14:05:00.010Z

Mark Nowers, the RSPB warden at Wolves Wood, has offered to organise a moth hunt on Saturday the 12th June

It will mean an early start, investigating the trap, which will have been set up the previous evening.

We will just have time to demolish some bacon butties, before Mark guides us round the wood, to look for and listen to the local birds.

This moth was keeping in the shade on the trunk of our old apple tree. A Red underwing, I think. I might be more positive after the Moth Hunt!

Hedge Laying Day

2009-12-06T12:05:00.007Z

Following a week of horrible weather, we had a lovely sunny day for our hedge laying workshop, bright and not too cold. Bob Howe and Geoff Kistner spent Tuesday preparing the next length of overgrown and unmanaged hedge, which made the task a little easier for the volunteers.

Although thinned out, the remaining growth still needed to be unravelled and trimmed, before the skilled work could start.

After a short break for a soupy lunch and cake, the team continued laying and then fixing the new hedge with stakes and binders.

Next year the new growth should be thick and strong , a good habitat for birds and other wee beasties.
They resulting bit of hedge looks good, with another section to the right that will be tackled later on. Our thanks go to Jim Wallden from Haskett Ltd, who was an expert guide and kindly left some binders for our use, the refreshment team and all those who helped before and on the day.

Peter Berry

2009-12-01T09:01:00.004Z

Members of the group were very sad to learn that Peter Berry, Babergh District Council's Countryside Officer, had died suddenly last week.
He has helped and supported the development of our new community woodland scheme and will be missed by us and all people that knew him and shared his love of the countryside.

National Tree Week 25th November--6th December

2009-11-23T08:37:00.012Z

People who are concerned about the future of our planet know that planting trees will help to slow the damaging effects of climate change.

If you are unable to plant trees yourself then you could support The Woodland Trust or The Green Light Trust. Both organisations are planting new areas of woodland. So sponsor some tree planting today and hope that it's not too little, too late.

Hedge laying Workshop and Working Party Day Our last working party and hedge-laying workshop

2009-09-20T14:13:00.008+01:00

We shall be holding another workshop on Saturday 6th. December. Our expert guide, Jim Wallden, will be on hand to help newcomers acquire this ancient skill, and remind those who worked on the above stretch last year, what to do!

This will also be our last working party this year and there will be plenty for everyone to do, not least, tidying up the debris from the hedge layers!

Soupy refreshments will be available and a few extras, with Christmas in mind.

Sunny Sunday

2009-08-16T19:15:00.018+01:00

Last Sunday was the first time in ages that I've been able to linger in Buckle's Wood, with my camera.

Lots of butterflies, especially little brown ones, that were very mobile and difficult to photo

These two were the best of the rest

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly on thistle seeds Lovely to see this as they have been rather scarce over the last few years.

Painted Lady. I've never seen one before!

I spotted this in the vegetation by the side of the footpath that leads to the wood. A spider guarding its web.

Blanche's Bench

2009-08-09T14:43:00.006+01:00

Blanche was always part of the steering group. She was determined that our trees would get planted and she would have many years to enjoy watching them grow. Sadly, that wasn't to be.

We thought that the most appropriate spot for her bench would be in the middle of the wood, with the trees growing all around, but I think that we shall have to cut down of the nearby vegetation, before we have her total approval. She was a bit prickly about thistles!

Photos from Alison Grant

Bird Track

2009-07-26T11:37:00.006+01:00

Had a message from the RSPB, as follows:

BirdTrack is an online bird recording scheme that allows you to store and manage your birdwatching records from around Britain and Ireland.

Taking part couldn't be easier - just register as a recorder (it's free), then start to enter your valuable bird records.

From casual records, to full species lists for a site, all the collected information helps fill gaps in our knowledge of numbers, distribution and movements of birds, which in turn feeds into conservation decisions made by organisations like ourselves.

As well as providing a comprehensive record of what you have seen, with your permision all submitted records are also made available to your county bird recorder.

Animated maps are available through the BirdTrack pages and show the arrival and departure of migrants, as well as the seasonal movements of birds at both a local and national level.

In partnership with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and BirdWatch Ireland, BirdTrack was launched in 2004 and has since gone from strength to strength. With your help we can continue to gather unique and fascinating information on Britain and Ireland's birds.

Click to sign up here.

Summer Days

2009-07-08T14:51:00.007+01:00

The PTA Fete was enjoyed by lots of people and the rain kept off until almost the end, in fact it arrived just as the rescue helicopter left and all the stall holders started to pack up and go home.
Many thanks to the people who helped on the day, or provided items for the "raffle"

The lucky winners were:-
Marion Brown (bird Table), Mr Sissons (basket of fruit), Jean Lawrence (Buckle's Wood Bag full of eco-goodies), Duncan McLennan (Intelliplug), Joy Sillitoe, Mac, Mrs Ratcliffe, Mr Knights,Simon Bishop, and Liam Glennam (pack of 4 low energy light bulbs).

Well done everyone

Buckle's Wood in June

2009-06-08T11:38:00.010+01:00

The trees are growing well and look good, although we have lost a few over the winter. Most of the wild flower plants that were planted and protected by wire netting are also doing well, although I expect they are looking a bit battered after last night's storm.

These photos were taken a few hours before the hail started! Red Campion and Ox-eyed Daisy.

We shall have a stall at the PTA Fete again this year.

BARGAIN, BAGS AND PRIZES!

Watering the Wild Flowers

2009-05-19T11:39:00.014+01:00

All the wild flower plugs have been planted in the woodland and the school's tree nursery. The rainy days, following a dry period, came just in time!

Pam Oldroyd has been sorting out her plants and has given us some large clumps of wild primroses, which originated from a wood in Essex, many, many years ago. I'm sure they will thrive in Buckle's Wood. Thank you Pamela.

Bees and Wild Flowers

2009-05-03T08:18:00.008+01:00

The Wild Flower plugs, especially selected to attract bees and other nectar loving insects, were planted last weekend by members of the Management Group.
One hundred plants were given to school, for the pupils and staff to plant in their empty tree nursery. The children will be able to watch them grow and learn to identify the flowers in the summer. They plan to collect seeds in order to sow them next spring.

We should be worried by the global decline of the bee population. The Varroa mite has spread from Asia to to all parts of the world except Australia and has a debilitating affect on bees. The use of chemicals by farmers, loss of habitat and adverse weather conditions are all thought to contribute to this decline.
There is plenty of information about bees on the web, but Breathing Spaces is a good place to start

Wild and Watery

2009-03-28T13:47:00.006Z

Work in the wood was almost cancelled today as the weather was foul! Even the ducks that visit our garden looked dismal.
However, a sturdy group of woodlanders, donned wet weather gear and woolly beanies and set off over the bridge, with a promise of hot soup and delicious cakes to follow, when the work was finished.
Why the urgency?
Well, with thanks to the Green Light Trust, we have received another Tree Council grant to buy more wild flower plugs and they have to be planted next month. To help the bee population, we have ordered nectar producing plants from British Wild Flower Plants in Norfolk.
The pupils from Elmsett School will put some of the plants into their tree nursery and then collect the seeds in the Autumn.
Thank you to everyone who helped today, to Jackie, Pam and Diane for the refreshments, and the super soup makers

Hadleigh Green Fair

2009-03-18T17:19:00.006Z

Well, here we are, displaying out wares at the first Hadleigh Green Fair, organised by the local Green Party. Plenty of people came to enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

Mac, Maria, Fiona and Morag (the willing volunteers) did a great job looking after our stall and deserve a BIG THANK YOU giving up their time to help. They were able to spend their spare moments looking round and chatting to other, like-minded, stall holders. Bags and books were sold. Nathan Gregory won the Buckle's Wood bag which was packed with eco-goodies.

Although we didn't make a fortune, it was thought that the event was well worth supporting.

Photo: Morag Embleton

Beacon for Bees

2009-03-12T14:06:00.009Z

People are worried about bees. A lot have been dying because of disease, poor weather conditions, loss of habitat, use of pesticides and other unknown reasons.

As they pollinate some of our crops, fewer, or no bees at all would have a bad impact on the country's food production.

Last autumn we planted loads of wild flower plugs around our woodland, in an effort to encourage insects, butterflies and moths. Not all the plants will grow--the rabbits have made sure of that!

The children at Elmsett School will be growing more wild flowers plants for us this year, as there is space in the tree nursery. If they are quick they could apply for a free packet of

"be good to bees"wild flower seeds from Blue Peter .

What a good idea!

Hadleigh Green Fair

2009-02-20T14:20:00.007Z

We shall have a stall at the Hadleigh Green Fair,
which is being held between 10am - 4pm at The Guildhall
on Saturday 14th March We shall be promoting Buckle's Wood
and Elmsett School's Community Recycling Centre.
Our bags will be on sale and there will be other eco-bargains to buy and win.

This is the first event of its kind to be organised by The Green Party in Hadleigh and there will be lots to to see and enjoy. These are some of the planned attractions

Acoustic Live Music ~~The Mad Hatters Tea Garden

Craft Stalls & Green Woodworking ~~ Local Environmental Groups

Café Green for Homemade Cakes & Spring Broth
Energy Saving Exhibition
Admission is FREE

Enquiries to: Ian St.John. Tel: 01473 823729

Green woodpecker

2009-02-12T00:59:00.003Z

Taken in Elmsett by John Gillies, this photo has appeared in the Evening Star and the East Anglian Daily Times.

The green woodpecker is the largest of the three woodpeckers that breed in Britain. This looks like a female.

Main events for this year

2009-02-08T13:01:00.006Z

We have planned three main working parties for this year. Others may be fitted in if needed!

March 28th, for general tidying up and sorting out.

June 13th, when we shall be preparing the wood in readiness for the School's Village Fete.

June 20th. The P.T.A.'s Village Fete. We shall have a stall to promote the woodland and raise funds.

September 12th, which will probably involve rakes and sunshine!

December 5th, which is a tentative date for a second hedge laying session. If we have a late spring, we hope that there will be time to fit another one in then.

At the last meeting of the Management Group, we decided to remember Blanche by placing another seat in the woodland, similar to the one on the left.
Like many other dog walkers, she loved the wood and the fact that she and the community could look forward to watching it grow and develop. Alas, it wasn't to be.

RSPB Homes for Wildlife

2009-01-29T12:05:00.004Z

The RSPB has a new website about providing homes for wildlife in your garden. Register for lots of ideas.

For Blanche

2009-01-27T19:37:00.009Z

It was Blanche's funeral at St Peter's today. The Rev. Gerald Harrison, in his usual gentle way, reminded us of Blanche's four-legged family - the dogs, cats and rabbits. They were family to Blanche, who used to refer to individual animals, like my dog, as this or that "little person".

I thought it was apt that, while the congregation sang "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small", a very determined creature, almost certainly a rabbit, was trying to dig its way into or under the church; the scrabbling noises were quite loud.

It was also apt that, unbeknown to the congregation, one of the bearers who carried Blanche into the church was Ron, a retired RSPCA inspector. I think he may have met Blanche, years ago. The collection was for the RSPCA, in Blanche's memory. If you'd like to contribute, and didn't get a chance to do so at the funeral, you can send cheques to The Co-operative Funeral Service, 47 St Helen's Street, Ipswich, IP4 2JL, saying it's in memory of Blanche Seager, for the RSPCA. Otherwise, you can donate online.

Blanche will become part of St Peter's churchyard, where the rabbits, owls and other creatures will keep her company, year in, year out. The West Country poet Thomas Hardy wrote about such a place in his poem "Transformations":

Portion of this yew
Is a man my grandsire knew,
Bosomed here at its foot:
This branch may be his wife,
A ruddy human life
Now turned into a green shoot.

These grasses must be made
Of her who often prayed,
Last century, for repose;
And the fair girl long ago
Whom I often tried to know
May be entering this rose.

So, they are not underground,
But as nerves and veins abound
In the growths of upper air,
And they feel the sun and rain,
And the energy again
That made them what they were!

Our thoughts are with David, and his four-legged friends, at this sad time.

Illustration: 19th century copyright-free wood engraving

Buckle's Wood in January

2009-01-26T19:56:00.005Z

It might not look like it, but this will all spring into life soon.

Click on the picture to see it large.

Blanche

2009-01-20T17:41:00.005Z

We were all saddened to learn that one of the original members of our woodland group, Blanche Seager, had died suddenly, just after Christmas.

She was a much-valued member of our Steering Group, who was determined that our plans for new community woodland would become a reality. Always reliable, she pursued this aim with a cheerful enthusiasm, whether it was organising the refreshments or manning our EGGS stall in inclement weather. We know that she was looking forward to spending her retirement years watching the trees grow.

Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time. We shall miss her.

A Winter's Activity

2008-11-30T14:24:00.008Z

We hope to have another hedge laying session in the new year and will have an instructor to hand, to remind previous participants and help novice workers!

We had positive feedback from our first two workshops and the growth along the new hedge is thick and strong, making a good, protective habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Please contact the management group if you are interested in joining us, before Christmas, if possible.

Flutter by, Butterflies

2008-11-27T09:50:00.002Z

Mark Nowers, the RSPB Warden at Wolves Wood, has suggested that we should monitor the number and species of butterflies that have been attracted into our woodland. The best way to do this would be to carry out a butterfly transect between the Months of April to October next year and he has given us the link below for more information.

http://www.ukbms.org/(S(ercfnombnc1w0cuekhhlzm55))/methods.htm

The survey is done once a week, so we are looking for some volunteers, with sufficient knowledge, or willing to learn more about butterflies, who could undertake this. Mark has offered to advise us and help set this up, so please contact me if you are interested.

Ready for winter

2008-11-18T09:23:00.003Z

This year has been rounded off with the completion of a number of projects.
Hilary Furlong liaised with James Buckle, who offered to lend us a couple of his men and some logs to create our outdoor classroom in the school's planting area.
The small areas of ground that we prepared earlier in the year were filled with a large selection of wild flowers.
The school's tree nursery was emptied, to make room for seeds and small saplings, to be garnered this later this term. The sturdy trees from the nursery were used to replace dead trees in the wood and the remainder will be heeled in, to over winter in our vegetable patch.
We have done a bit of tidying up. Everything is looking good AND the barn owl is back!
Thanks everyone for your help.

Bring rakes and wheelbarrows too.

2008-11-02T19:03:00.004Z

The plants are ordered. The rides have been cut. The young trees in the school's tree nursery have grown well and the strongest ones will be used to replace the dead trees in the wood.There will be lots to do-- planting the wild flowers, raking the rides and gathering up the cut grass and replacing the dead trees. Members of the Management Group will prepare for all the activities beforehand so that when the helpers can start working when they arrive at 10 o'clock.

Our Next Working Party

2008-10-21T17:02:00.007+01:00

On Saturday 8th November we shall have 300 wild flower plugs to plant.
As usual we shall start at 10 o'clock and our Refreshment Team will provide delicious, homemade soups and other tempting offerings to boost our spirits and energy!

The plants have been ordered from British Wild Flower Plants, using grant money that the Green Light Trust gave us earlier this year. We have created bare patches in the wood in shady, semi shady and sunny areas. All we need is plenty of helpers with trowels!

We also hope to raid the School's tree nursery for trees to replace those that have died in the woodland. Other activities are planned, but more about those nearer the day.

Kestrel chick

2008-10-11T01:13:00.005+01:00

The owl box erected in Buckle's Wood to provide a nesting site for barn owls has been occupied by a pair of kestrels that raised two chicks. This one was ringed for BTO records.

Photo (c) Roger Horne.

A.G.M

2008-08-30T18:31:00.001+01:00

Our third A.G.M will be held at Elmsett School on Thursday 25th September.
The meeting will start at 7.30 and everyone is welcome.

Animal Habitats

2008-08-19T08:21:00.010+01:00

The pupils at Elmsett School have always been involved with creating and developing our woodland. In the early stages, they helped to name our scheme and designed the woodland's layout.

They were asked to think about and suggest what they would like in their wood. Many children wanted it to be a safe place, where all kinds of animals can live.

With this in mind, and the fact that many species are struggling with diseases and unseasonable weather, we shall be introducing different habitats to improve the biodiversity in Buckle's Wood.

The photo shows caterpillars on some nettles in my garden. They will turn into Peacock butterflies. We have nettles in the wood , but not many flowers for the butterflies to complete their life cycle, so this autumn we shall be planing wild flower plants, to attract more butterflies, insects, birds, and bees.

Frogs and their plight

2008-08-04T14:30:00.006+01:00

Last week, the press covered a news item about the global plight of frogs and other amphibians. The two deadly illnesses have reached the UK and the public are being asked to report cases of sick or dead animals to Froglife so that they can track the extent of the diseases.

A pond was included in our original woodland plan and we shall be considering when, where and how to achieve this in the near future. I hope that there won't be too many obstacles and objections to our plans. It could be a challenging time, for us, the frogs and their watery friends!

Good News for our Environment

2008-07-28T11:24:00.006+01:00

It was great to be woken up with good news this morning. The Woodland Trust has bought 850 acres near St Albans in Hertfordshire in order to create a native woodland, the largest of its kind in the country.

I didn't realise that half of the ancient broadleaved woodland that had survived until 1930s has now been lost and the UK is one of Europe's least wooded countries.

Buckle's Wood Bags

2008-06-25T16:50:00.006+01:00

The bags arrived in time and they are super. The weather on Saturday could have been better, but the promised arrival of the Sea King search and rescue helicopter attracted the crowds and despite the drizzly start, the day was thought to be a great success!

EGGS at the School's Fete. Sat 21st June.

2008-06-17T09:11:00.041+01:00

We shall be launching our EGGSELLENT sustainable shopping bag at the Village Fete.

Made from the world's best natural jute, printed on one side, by a small company in West Bengal, the Buckle's Wood Bag is fairly traded, sturdy, and will last a long time.

We would like to thank Lesley Mabon for her generosity and her her diligent workers at the Good Bag Company. We asked the impossible and they came up trumps!

Progress report

2008-05-25T12:00:00.008+01:00

On a scorchingly hot day, the last working party did a magnificent job in the woodland, followed by demolishing the home made soups and cakes that were provided by our Refreshment Team.

There is a well worn path around the edge of the wood, made by all people who enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Most trees are doing well, although we do seem to have a few non-native ones amongst our oaks and ashes!

As Elmsett School's P.T.A. is holding a Summer Fete for the village on the 21st we decided to abandon thoughts of another Woodland Fayre this year. Instead we are planning to have an eco-friendly stall at the fete, when there will be lots for adults and children to see and do.

Homes for Wildlife

2008-04-28T18:03:00.010+01:00

Last Friday, Hilary, Alison and children from years 3, 4 and 5 spent an enjoyable and very productive morning in Buckle's Wood.

They put mulch round trees, planted small plugs of celandine, cowslips, snowdrops and bluebells at the base of the hedgerow near the school's trees and arranged hedge cuttings and logs in heaps, in order to attract more wildlife into our woodland.

We hope that the log pile shown in the photo, will attract Stag Beetles which can be found in Suffolk, but are becoming quite rare.

Our Next Working Party

2008-04-22T15:25:00.004+01:00

Everyone is invited to come and join our next working party on Saturday 10th May, starting at 10 o'clock. There will be plenty of homemade refreshments and a soupy lunch to keep your energy levels up! Stay for a short time, or keep going until the work is done--we don't mind.

Please bring a fork and wheelbarrow if you would like to put mulch around our trees, or loppers and and a pair of secateurs for alternative activities.

We have received grant funding from The Green Light Trust to spend on introducing wild flowers into the woodland. We need to prepare small suitable areas, so that we can plant in the autumn. We shall start this work on Saturday as well.

Wild Flowers

2008-03-31T14:36:00.004+01:00

The original plan for our woodland included thoughts and suggestions from the children at Elmsett School. One of their ideas, a wildflower meadow for the insects, butterflies and bees, might become a reality, with the offer of a grant from the Green Light trust. It will involve a lot of work to prepare and maintain a suitable area and it all has to be done this Spring!!
Meanwhile, two Barn Owls were spotted hunting over the wood and everthing has survived the storms and snow.

Another good day.

2008-02-25T13:39:00.011Z

Men at Work

No seriously, everyone worked extremely hard, got a lot done and had time for refreshments and a soupy lunch.

Jim Wallden and Simon from Haskett Ltd, demonstrated the ancient art of hedge laying and then guided our group of novices. The bench near the Barn Owl box was re-located towards the back of the woodland. Two perching posts were placed amongst the trees, to encourage the barn owls to hunt over and make their home in our woodland. Another sturdy bench ( made by John Lee) was positioned on the west ride.

All the mulch that was donated by Eco -Sytems Ltd. was spread around the trees. The mulch that was donated by Ben Norwood, was collected and left in a couple of heaps, ready for the children to use round their trees.

We now have a seating area, to be used as an outdoor classroom, made tree trunk, which was cut up and donated by James Hitchcock.

So, THANK YOU to everyone who helped, especially James Buckle, who sponsored the hedge laying workshop and to prove that we really did work hard here's a photo that I took when the sun nearly came out!

A Date for Hedge laying

2008-01-30T09:49:00.000Z

We shall be holding our hedge laying workshop on Saturday 23rd February. Those people who have signed up to do this will be guided by Jim Wallden, from Haskett Ltd, who manages James Buckle's hedgerows. Jim will prepare the selected length of hedge beforehand, so that members of the group will be able to start work at 10 o'clock! There is still time for more people to join us. Just 'phone 01473 658297 if you are interested.

We shall also need people to help with on-going maintenance work in the wood. Nothing too difficult, but there is quite a bit to do! Our Refreshment Team will be on hand to provide everyone with a selection of homemade soups and other delights.
See you there!

Hedge Laying

2008-01-08T09:03:00.000Z

Last year a team of novice hedge layers had an enjoyable time turning this

into this.

No wonder they look pleased

We are planning to hold another hedgelaying workshop at the end of February/beginning of March. If you would like to join us phone me on 91473 657062

Finished with a Flourish

2007-12-02T15:32:00.000Z

Amazingly, we had another sunny, but windy morning for our last tree planting session. Most of the 60+ people who had donated trees joined our "professional" planters and got the job finished by early afternoon. There were lots of compliments for the delicious soups, cakes and drinks that the Refreshment Team prepared to revitalise the workers

The Barn Owl box is on top of the pole and a special seat, dedicated to Paul Marshall on his retirement has been placed nearby. Made from reclaimed scaffold boards by Reelfurniture, the bench has excellent environmental credentials. Appropriately, during his 20 years as Head Teacher at Elmsett School, Paul has encouraged many environmental projects and was keen that the school should take an active part in the development of Buckle's Wood.

So, with grateful thanks to all the people who have supported us over the last three years, our tree planting is complete. However, there are more projects in the pipeline that will keep us busy for next, and many more years to come. Keep in touch

Our Final Tree Planting Day.

2007-11-24T12:06:00.000Z

Next Saturday, the 1st of December, will be our last tree planting session. There will be lots going on, as well as all the hard work! Paul Jackson from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust will arrive at 9.30. to put the Barn Owl box on top of our pole. Tree planters will start to arrive at 10 o'clock, with their wheelbarrows, lump hammers and spades, ready for action.

Many people will be planting their own trees that they have donated to our woodland. Of these, 45 will be native oaks. I wonder if any of these trees will grow to be 800 years old, like Old Knobbley, who was featured in last week's East Anglian Daily Times and is mentioned in Archie Miles' latest book Hidden Trees of England. Archie Miles also wrote The Trees that Made Britain, a copy of which will be one of the prizes in our RAFFLE. The Powergen energy saving box, which includes the Eco Kettle is also one of the prizes.

Members of the Steering Group will be busy beforehand, getting everything ready for planting, and our souper chefs will be cooking up a feast for lunch (and tea, coffee and cakes for extras. We hope that that this will be another enjoyable and memorable event for all.

See you there!!!

Not at all Boring

2007-10-17T09:59:00.000+01:00

Steve Piotrowski, founder of the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Trust, visited the village earlier this year and suggested that Buckle's Wood would be a good place to site a Barn Owl nesting box, to encourage this year's fledgelings to stay in the area. Needless to say, the Steering Group thought that this was a brilliant idea.

The Hazelwood Trust has paid for a box and EDF Energy has kindly donated and erected a suitable pole at the back of the wood, overlooking one of the rides that leads to the meadow area in the centre of the trees. More news when the box arrives!

Suffolk ACRE Awards

2007-09-30T14:40:00.000+01:00

Earlier this year, Elmsett Parish Council proposed that EGGS should be considered for a Community Achievement Award from Suffolk ACRE.

At the beginning of September we were told that our new community woodland was one of four schemes that were being considered for an award. We were pleased meet Andrew Budden, from Suffolk ACRE, to tell him all about our scheme and show him round Buckle's Wood.

Members of the Steering Group were invited to their seventieth AGM and award ceremony on Thursday 27th September. We were delighted to receive a certificate for joint 2nd/3rd place, which was presented to us by Lord Tollemache and Lady Cranbrook.

The EGGS project has been "commended for outstanding community achievement".

Well done everyone; helpers, organisers and supporters, especially The Green Light Trust and James Buckle.

Your trees in our woodland

2007-09-02T14:46:00.000+01:00

We shall be planting our last trees in Buckle’s Wood in November.

If you'd like to have a tree planted in memory of a loved one, or a group of trees as a family donation, please select from the list of native trees that are suited to this area, listed on the order form. To download the form, click on the image (right) so it opens in a new window, then right-click on the image and choose 'save image as...', then save to your desktop. Open the file on your desktop and print. You might want to note these instructions before you start.

If you've rather have a form emailed to you as a PDF file, email us with 'Tree donation' in the subject line.

Individual trees will cost £10.00
Four trees will cost £30.00

The price includes the cost of stakes, tree guards and the tree’s future maintenance.

A permanent record of all the donations to Buckle’s Wood will be kept in a folder, which will be available for everyone to see.

Please return your order, with a cheque made payable to EGGS, by the 23rd September, to:

Sue Mackie MBE,
Myrtle Cottage, Whatfield Road, Elmsett. IP7 6LZ
or
Jackie Parkinson,
Baybrooks, Hadleigh Road, Elmsett IP7 6ND

For information about the variety of trees, see the British Trees website.

Woodland Fayre

2007-07-28T14:03:00.000+01:00

Our Woodland Fayre went well. After a week of sunshine and heavy showers, Saturday stayed dry, so visitors were able to enjoy all the various outside activities and wander around Buckle's Wood. The general feeling was that all the planning and hard work had been well worth the effort and the visitors had had an enjoyable time.

Everything happened more or less as planned, although a couple of exhibitors were unable to attend at the last moment. However, we were pleasantly surprised by two unexpected events.

Martin Myerscough, who invented the Greenbottle, an eco- friendly alternative to plastic milk bottles, came with his children and planted our first Yew tree. This was a lovely surprise, as he has been extremely busy since his product was launched earlier this year.

Another surprise was a phone call, informing us that our summer fair had been selected to receive a Powergen Eco Fete Award and to expect a £500 cheque, 500 energy saving light bulbs and two energy saving boxes, worth £8O each, as raffle prizes. Two representatives from Powergen distributed the light bulbs and a photographer arrived to take photos, which might be used by Powergen at a later date.

The Steering Group would like to thank all the stall holders and volunteers, who gave their time and energy to make the day go with a swing and the companies and organisations listed below for their generous support.

Audi Ipswich, Babergh District Council and CRed, Barefoot Books, Bartrum's Brewery, Blacks., Brinkley Woods, British Eco. James Buckle and Charles Course, Build Base(Hadleigh), Burgon and Ball, Chilli's Galore, Grenville and Elizabeth Clarke, Donnachadh McCarthy, East of England Co-op, Eco-Hamster, Ecover. Elmsett Village Shop. Fruitina. Hadleigh Maid Chocolates. Halfords. Hollow Tree Farm. Ipswich Town Football Club, James White Ltd., Jenny Steel, Jules and Sharpie, Jump Start, Kallo Foods, KETTLE Crisps, Kingfisher Books., Kew Gardens., Marybelle Milk, Meridian Foods, Millets, Natracare , Neal's Yard Remedies, Organix, Paddy and Scott's, Pakenham Water Mill, Plum Baby, Purely Pesto, Recycle2Shop, Reelight, Revolve, St. Jude's Brewery, Safety Systems , Sainsbury's , Solar Technologies, Stonham Hedgrow , Suma, Sustrans , Suffolk County Council's Recycling Bus, Suffolk Woodland Honey, Taylor Made Joinery, Tesco, The Body Shop, The Ecologist, Thompson and Morgan , Usbourne Books, Waitrose , Wayland Publishers, Wyndi Wyndi.

Delightful Donations

2007-07-02T10:52:00.000+01:00

These two inspirational books have been given to us, to support our Woodland Fayre.

The Trees that Made Britain has been donated by Kew Gardens and has been signed by Tony Kirkham and Jon Hammerton. Donnachadh McCarthy must be one of the most environmentally friendly people that you could meet and advised Dick Strawbridge in the BBC TV series It's not easy Going Green. He has also written a message and signed his book.

These books could be yours - if you make the highest bid!

Whatever next!

2007-06-09T18:04:00.000+01:00

The Woodland Fayre is being organised by a small, enthusiastic sub-committee of eco-warriors!!! They have contacted many companies, organisations and people to ask for their support. We are just amazed at the replies that have been sent so far. I am having to take a two week holiday to recover.These are just a few more examples of the brilliant responses to our green celebration, in no particular order.

Taylor Made Joinery (Bildeston) sent us a generous donation. Ipswich Town Football Club sent us a voucher for 2 people to tour their carbon neutral stadium. Kew Gardens have sent a book, which has been signed by Tony Kirkham and Jon Hammerton. Ipswich Audi has sent 4 tickets for an Ipswich Town match. Suffolk County Council's recycling bus will be there.

There will be more when I get back!

Woodland Fayre

2007-05-30T11:35:00.000+01:00

The plans for our Woodland Fayre are going well and we have had a tremendous response from individuals and companies that we have approached, for support, in one way or another.

For visitors, the day will start at 11 o'clock. There will be plenty to see and buy, in and around the Village Hall and Buckle's Wood. You will be amazed to discover that being green covers such a wide range of activities.

There will be a BIG ECO-RAFFLE.
Games and prizes
Locally grown strawberries for summery refreshments.
Examples of solar technology.
Chickens and eggs.

While the Steering Group is busy adding to this list, our bit of hedge laying is busy recovering from its experience!

Progress Report

2007-05-16T14:07:00.000+01:00

The preparations for our Woodland Fayre are growing apace, with offers of support arriving nearly every day, from people and companies that want to get involved. Green living and taking care of our environment is such a vast topic!
To date, here are some of the things that you will be able to see and buy.

Wild flower and tree growers.
Sustainable uses of wood. (wood burning stoves, wood turning and carving)
Bags of compost to buy and win.
Gifts of goodies from Ecover (UK) ltd and James White Drinks Ltd.
Home made produce from the WI.
A barbecue using locally sourced meat.

A gift of little oaks

2007-05-12T11:32:00.000+01:00

Earlier this year, the Green Light Trust advised all woodland groups that the Dedham Vale Project had Surplus Oak saplings to give away. After one or two phone calls, Richard Parmee delivered a very generous bundle of 100+ trees, fifty of which were planted by the school, before the dry weather set in.
The rest are heeled in and doing very well at the edge of our veggie patch and will be included in our last planting session in November.
Thank you GLT for sending us details of this offer and a special thanks to Richard for delivering the trees ~~ the elms on the way into Elmsett from Ipswich, look great with their new growth of leaves.

Our Summer Woodland Fayre

2007-05-01T13:20:00.000+01:00

We shall be holding a Woodland Fayre on Saturday 21st July.

EGGS has asked everyone at Elmsett School to help make this event a fun day out with an eco-friendly theme - a celebration of green living!

There will be a barbecue, stalls, refreshments, prizes, demonstrations of basket weaving and wood carving, and lots more. If the weather is good, we shall spread out into Buckle's Wood, amongst the newly planted trees.

We would like to hear from people or companies that make or sell environmentally friendly products and would like to be part of our day. Just leave your details and we shall get back to you!

Much Mulching in March

2007-04-02T09:58:00.000+01:00

Another lovely day for our mulching and Easter Egg hunt.
All the green compost was distributed around our trees by 11.30, so we were able to enjoy a relaxed coffee and cake break, before doing some tidying up work . We finished off the morning with delicious homemade soup and rolls, provided by Blanch and her refreshment team.
The Easter Eggs hunters mingled with the mulchers, searching for "eggs" and returned to collect their bounty, red faced and gleeful!
A BIG thank you to everyone for making it such an enjoyable occasion.

Mulch Mountain

2007-03-23T07:45:00.000Z

Thank you John Jewers of Ashbro Feeds for providing the FREE mulching material for our next working party session (Saturday 31st March) and James Seeley, who brought it back to Elmsett
from the Foxhall landfill site, via diversions, back lanes and lots of traffic heading the other way!
If you have ever wondered what happens to the contents of your brown wheelie bin, well, it's composted and some of it will be helping trees to grow big and strong in Buckle's Wood.

The Next Working Party

2007-03-02T08:15:00.000Z

We shall be mulching and tidying up at Buckle's Wood on Saturday 31st March between 10am and 1pm.

Refreshments in return for hard work!

Come along and join us if you have time to spare.

Ingredients for a Novice Hedge Laying Day

2007-02-06T08:26:00.000Z

A bright, sunny day in February, with rooks flying overhead and ladybirds creeping about, enjoying the weather

A challenging length of hedgerow.

Expert help and advice from hedge layer Adrian Walters, who trained at Otley College and now manages the Sudbury Common Lands Trust and is a wildlife advisor to Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the Green Light Trust.

Grenville Clarke, from The Green Light Trust, who supplied tools, knowledge and encouragement.

Add a break for a generous helping of home made soup.

Mix it all together with an enthusiastic, hardworking group of green volunteers.

Brilliant!

Broadcasting EGGS

2007-01-21T16:32:00.000Z

On a bright, breezy Saturday morning a few members of the steering group and younger tree planters gathered at Buckle's Wood to meet Rachel Sloane from BBC Radio Suffolk. We looked at the trees and talked about beginnings, good fortune and future plans. Not without some trepidation, we all rose to the occasion, having been reassured that blunders would be edited out.

Our contribution to Rachel's early morning breakfast show will be broadcast on Saturday 27th January - it starts at 6 o'clock! If you miss it, you can listen again during the following week via BBC Radio Suffolk's website, where you will be able to see some photos and information.

Happy New Year 2007

2006-12-31T18:14:00.000Z

Goodbye 2006Last year, with help from a lot of willing volunteers, we raked and heaped up grass from about 3 acres of the field, planted and mulched over 1500 trees and shrubs and managed to select good weather for our working party days! So, thank you everyone for helping to make last year such an enjoyable success.

We shall hope to see you all again this year, heading towards Buckle's Wood, with welly boots on and gardening implements to hand. We shall need to spend some time dong maintenance work, culminating with our last tree planting session in November. There will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved, even the less energetic can help! All activities will be advertised on this blog.

Bird's-eye view of Buckle's Wood

2006-12-11T08:32:00.000Z

We would like to thank Bob Dewes and the crew of the Sea King search and rescue helicopter, who, with special authorisation from Elmsett and Wattisham airfields hovered over our village, to take some great 'photos of our newly planted community woodland.

I don't believe it!

2006-11-19T13:55:00.000Z

Another gorgeous day for our working party.

Beautiful saplings from Sandy Lane Nursery, Wattisfield.
Loads of volunteers to plant them.
Grenville from The Green Light Trust helped and kept us on the right path.
Juliet Hawkins, from Buckle's Farm, inspired children to be creative.
Plenty of wholesome refreshments to distract us from our mission.
Over 800 trees and shrubs planted and mulched

Finished by 2.30.

BRILLIANT

Thank you everyone

An essential service

2006-11-18T14:37:00.000Z

(Left to right) Jackie Parkinson, Blanche Seager, Anne Rivers & Diane Diss kept all the volunteers fed with delicious soup and home made cakes, and provided lots of tea and coffee to keep everyone going on the 18th November Planting Day.

EVERYONE WELCOME

2006-11-05T16:03:00.000Z

Our next tree planting session will be on
Saturday 18th November,
from 10 o'clock onwards.
We shall have 800+ trees and shrubs to plant.
No heavy digging is required! Please bring
a wheelbarrow, spade and lump hammer
(We have some equipment that people can use).
Please mark your tools in some way for easy
identification at the end of the day.
SOUP AND REFRESHMENTS

for hungry workers.

Hope to see you there!

Still Life?

Grow a tree

2006-10-23T13:41:00.000+01:00

Now's the time of year to collect tree seeds. Children from Elmsett school have collected seeds for Buckle's Wood. Whether or not Elmsett children go to the local school, they can still grow trees at home - the BBC provides some simple instructions. However, please don't grow conkers (chestnut seeds) as they're not suitable for our project. Instead, please try ash, oak, hornbeam, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, or elder. The more trees we grow ourselves, the fewer we have to buy.

The Green Light Trust

2006-10-22T15:45:00.000+01:00

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Green Light Trust's new, deeply green and environmentally friendly headquarters has received an award from R.I.B.A.

Read all about it at The Green Light Trust website.

"Like a medieval landscape"

2006-10-22T13:15:00.000+01:00

Maybe this is the sort of thing Sue meant?

Part of 'Haymaking', by Pieter Bruegel, 16th century.

Well done everyone!

2006-10-22T09:47:00.000+01:00

On a lovely warm Saturday morning, starting at 10.00 o'clock, about 60 adults and children raked, wheelbarrowed and heaped the hay into big piles. We were sustained by delicious refreshments, supplied by Blanche, Jackie, Diane, Lorna and Alison and were finished by early afternoon.

The youngsters deserve a special mention, as most of them were under 12 years old. They all worked willingly and with enthusiasm (with a little bit of mischief making at the end!!). We left with the piles of hay intact and the field looking strangly like a medieval landscape.

We are now ready to plant our next lot of 830 trees and shrubs on November 18th. Let's hope the weather will be kind again.

One man went to mow.

2006-10-16T08:28:00.000+01:00

We need to prepare the field for our next tree planting session in November, so Russell Goodchild mowed the grass on Monday 9th October, watched by excited members of the playgroup.

He did a good job, but what a lot of hay to rake into heaps on the 14th October! This is just a small part of the field.

EGGS News

2006-09-07T15:53:00.000+01:00

At the Steering Group meeting on 6th September, EGGS elected the following people as officers for the year: Chair – Sue Mackie; Vice-Chair – Jackie Parkinson; Secretary – Margaret Nelson, with help from Jackie Parkinson and Alison Grant; Treasurer – Sue Gull; School liaison – Alison Grant and Hilary Furlong.

Hilary reported on the recent visit by Babergh Tree Wardens to the village, which included Buckle’s Wood. The wardens made constructive comments on the management of the hedges to encourage wildlife.

The steering group is going to buy a collection of tools for the use of volunteers on working parties. The first will be on 14th October, when we’ll be cutting and raking the grass prior to the next big planting session on 18th November.

We’ll need a big turnout on both days, so please note them in your diaries NOW –

Saturday 14th October and Saturday 18th November, starting at 10am.

Back to school

2006-09-07T15:48:00.000+01:00

The children are back at Elmsett School this week. These are some of the pieces of work they did about EGGS last year, chosen at random. We look forward to seeing more.