We had our first working party this year, to cut back the hedge that runs alongside the public footpath in the wood. We removed a lot of the brambles that were rampaging in the undergtowth and generally trimmed back branches.
All the hedges surounding  the wood are old and have  mature and coppiced trees dotted along them for added interest. Sadly the hedge that we were working on today is atarted to have gaps in it where animals and people cut throught from the meadow.Ways of restoring the hedgrow was discussed as we worked and we decided to block an expanding gap at the back of the play equipment, to encourage the children to use thenearby bridge acess into the wood.
Those people who use Facebook might like www.facebook.com/BucklesWood
or you might like to see more people at work on Flickr 

Help from B.T.S.

B.T.S -- the company of tree surgeons that keeps the elctricity cables free from overgrown trees, has trimmed back  the hedge at the rear of the wood. Usually they shred and clear away the cuttings, but as you can see in the photo-- they piled the offending overgrowth into neat piles for us to cut up and use to make small animal habitats amongst  the trees (brilliant)! THANK YOU B.T.S.

Frozen asset

The Green Light Trust--Celebrating 25 years of bringing people and nature together .

 The Foundry, Lawshall.Suffolk 

On Saturday 13th September the Trust marked the occasion with a birthday party at their headquarters in Lawshall, Suffolk and invited people and organisations that have been involved in their projects over the years.

The Birthday party itself was a great success! Over 80 people joined the Founders, Trustees and Staff at the Foundry to review our work during the last 25 years, listen to presentations from the Founders of GLT, Ric Edelman and Nigel Hughes, and to learn about the ambitious plans for the Charity’s future work from CEO Ashley Seaborne.

Over the previous 8 months staff planned for ‘Legacy Legs’; an idea that connected 47 WildSpace and Environmental Education projects together. In total, 121 miles were covered by 22 staff and colleagues of GLT; with partners, family members and pets either running, riding or walking to, from and around a WildSpace or project location. This sponsored event raised £500 for the Charity’s work and will help fund a ‘Woodland Minds’ course for young people. Ashley ran the length from Babergh Disrict Council to Buckle's Wood and presented us with a commemorative plaque Management group, which will be displayed in our notice board.

Following a wonderful hog roast and buffet for lunch, we were guided round Frithy Wood, an area of ancient woodland and Golden Wood. There was  artwork on show  by Artheads (a Bury St Edmunds Charity),  as well as storytelling,  exhibitions showing how Community WildSpaces have flourished, Forest School training, green crafts and demonstrations of bodging techniques.  To end the day guests were offered some of the beautiful birthday cake made by Sarah from GLT.

We hope their ideas and trees will flourish 

and grow over the next 25years!

Old Knobbley the Oak Tree read on BBC Radio 2

If you missed part of my biography being read live on BBC radio 2 a few weeks back it's here plus pictures minus most of the technical problems!

A message from Old Knobbley's Publicity Office.

In England's First Tree of the Year competition Old Knobbley came second place missing the top title by just 465 votes.

The winner was the Major Oak of Robin Hood fame.

Loyal supporters of Old Knobbley have asked on Old Knobbley's facebook page that the Major Oak undergo a drugs test claiming that the Nottinghamshire tree has been using unnatural substances for years.

Old Knobbley quickly came to his distant cousin's defence saying in his deep slow voice “My old friend, that you know as the Major Oak, has in his past struggled with humans filling his trunk with concrete, cladding branches with lead and then fibre-glass all in an effort to help and support. But now the humans know better and are helping to wean my dear cousin off these unnatural substances. The Major Oak can hardly be blamed for their use.”

Other Old Knobbley fans in a letter to the East Anglian Daily Times have cited the fact that Old Knobbley does not have a USP as his failure to win the competition, implying that he needed to be linked to historical figures to be taken seriously in a competition featuring such culturally significant trees as Robin Hood's Oak or Newton's Apple.

Old Knobbley's biographer, Morag Embleton, spent a long time explaining unique selling points to Old Knobbley and after pause of a day or two Old Knobbley said “I don't understand this need for fame. Many trees have succumbed to it. There are many Apple trees that claim to have inspired Newton and as for Robin Hood? Whether he did indeed live will remain a secret amongst us trees. If the Major Oak isn't going to tell, then neither will I. If you need stories of me and Boudicca or the Witch Finder General then please find them or create them (although the Boudicca line will be a bit of a stretch – I'm told I look good for my age but I'm not 2000 years old!).

“I prefer that I am loved for being me, a tree that has been growing here in Mistley for 800 or so years (possibly longer, I can't remember). I knew your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, I could go on... I have worked for many hundreds of years to provide timber for your houses, boats and fireplaces. There may be a bit of me still in the local houses or churches. I'm sure you clever folk could do a DNA test to find out. I have provided many homes for other species often sacrificing my leaves and acorns to keep insects, birds and other animals alive. You would not believe what wood boring larvae and fungal mycelium are doing to me! Many of the younger trees in this wood and beyond are my children, all of us taking in your carbon dioxide and giving you oxygen to breathe.

Perhaps coming runner up is a blessing. I would hate for the visitors to me to increase so much that Mistley Parish Council had to worry about the compaction to my roots (that's a big tree killer you know) and then to fence me away from my friends with visiting hours for hugs limited to just one day a year with no chance of tree climbing as has happened to the poor Major Oak. No, the Major Oak can keep his fame if that is what fame does to a tree. I 'll take free 24/7 hugs and careful climbers over winning a competition any day.

I am very happy that my friends thought so kindly of me that I came a pretty close second in this competition. I understand that people put up posters and geocaches and did all sorts of things to support me. Thank you all. It warms my heartwood to know that I hold a special place in your hearts.”

Old Knobbley would like to thank John Lungley, Marian Hill, Sarah Tonks, Susan Anderson, John Bradley, Gerry Donlon and Sue Mackie as he is aware that they worked particularly hard to promote Old Knobbley in this competition..

via: www.oldknobbley.com

Old Knobbley-- a special tree!

I thought that you would like to know that Old Knobbley, the ancient Oak tree that lives in Mistley, is one of ten finalists  in The Woodland Trust’s contest to find England’s Favourite Tree of the Year. They were selected from over 200 trees that were   nominated by the public.

Old Knobbley is special. He has a website, a presence on Facebook and a beautifully illustrated children’s book about the events that he has lived through during his long life.  My daughter Morag is passionate about growing and protecting trees.   This is top of her list of “must do" activities to help our environment,

On your Farm devoted part of their program on Monday to The Woodland Trust. Since then there has been a lot of interest from the  national and local media.

Please support Old Knobbley NOW by voting on The Woodland Trust's website.   You have until  November 3rd.  All you need is an email address.

Meanwhile you can keep up to date with events by looking at his special Vote for Me page on Facebook.

Please share this with your friends and colleagues and encourage them to vote.

Watery delights

These are just some of the photos that I've taken near our new pond.

With thanks to Ispot, this is a Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly (Libellula depressa). It was hovering over this twig and dipping it's abdomen down onto it. Laying eggs!

Another Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly. There were quite a few of these darting  across the water.

A saw one lone swallow and these busy House Martins. Difficult to get them in focus from a distance.They seen to be gathering mud. for  their nest building.

This is the first damselfly that I've seen in the wood. They need water to complete their life cycle.

                                      This male blackbird was enjoying a quick dip.

Just a few scarecrows from the First World War.

 With thanks to Elmsett School's textile bank for lending me the clothes, but not the hat!

 The school's scarecrow is reading a copy of Michael Murpogo's Private Peaceful. No problems with finding suitable clothing for this.

 The Elmsettf and Aldham  Newsletter team sent this village postie.

 These three children waiting to be evacuated to a safer home were the BEST IN SHOW. Well done the Seeley family!

Edith, the nurse was patiently waiting for the next patient, but was so tired that she fell asleep by the end of the afternoon and had to be helped to a spot where she could lean against  tree! (with help from the Parkinson family)
For a number of people, this was the first time that they had looked round the wood since they helped with planting the trees and we received  lots compliments from villagers and newcomers.Some more Buckle's Wood bags were sold-  an added bonus.

Pond-life.

Had a wander in the wood to see if the pond was still brimful following the rain last week --and it was!

Managed to snap this little blue butterfly which I shall ask Ispot to identify. (a small blue perhaps)

Then, a lovely surprise. On the way home,  I paused again at the pond I snapped this little creature which came up for air and and then disappeared into the murky water. A Water Boatman, perhaps.

Return of the scarecrows.

Saturday 14 June

A date to remember

Lady Charity has great pleasure in inviting all her friends and relations to a day out in Buckle's Wood. We shall be remembering our ancestors who  lived during the First World War. Dress optional, but appropriate for the occasion!

Some body give Bertie a prod, otherwise he'll miss the prize giving.

More details to follow.

Mass plug planting

The school children spent a busy, last afternoon of term, planting the wildflower plugs that we bought from Shrublands Park Nursery. Catherine Stitt from the Nursery described the qualities of each plant,and added details of how they were used as remedies in bygone days. Help from Catherine,Jackie and Margaret, Anna and Mac was much appreciated by all!
A temporary wire netting fence surrounds the plants to keep them safe from the rabbits and hopefully they will merge in with the other all the other wildflowers over the summer.

I thought the Barn Owl box would not be occupied this year, so it was good top see a pair of Jackdaws popping in and out, whilst keeping an eye on me and flying off when I got too close!

Ready to plant the plugs

Caroline, from Shrublands Nursery will bring the wildflower plugs up to the wood this Friday afternoon.
An exciting end of term activity for the children at Elmsett School. Luckily Caroline has offered to talk about the special qualities of these plants and answer any tricky questions!
All the flowers ,Bettony, Cowslips, Meadow Buttercup ,Ragged Robin and yarrow, are suitable for sunny spots,
We shall plant the Foxgloves  elsewhere.

Preparations for some more wildflowers.

A cloudy morning, but no rain to discourage a small group of woodlanders who met in the middle of the wood  where the school children will each  plant a wildflower plug later on  of this term.We were going to  kill off areas of  grass by turning over the turf, but decided to lift  the turf and use  it to edge the pond.

A great effort by Mac, Liam and Geoff, the turf lifters and shifters.

Alexander, who forked over the earth in the squares.

John, Margaret and the girls, who did an excellent job sorting out stakes and tree guards.

 

We bought our wildflower plugs  from Shrublands, our local nursery and intended  to plant them last term, but other events and the weather  got in the way. We also want to put plants in and around the pond. Hilary has made a start by bringing along some marsh marigolds, which she planted in a boggy bit. Good job she came in her wellies!

 

 

 

We shall be there

We shall be selling our eco-friendly carrier bags, made from natural fibre, which will decompose on your compost heap!

Brilliant!

We have a pond.

Our thanks to James Buckle and his merry men who worked in wild weather to create lour new wildlife pond and Juliet Hawkins for her advice and plan.

A pause for the weather.

We woke up to a sharp frost last week and the sound of machinery drifting over from the direction of the wood. As the sun started to break through the mist, I went over to see if had started on the pond.
The noise was coming from elsewhere, so I continued to the wood, with camera, to take some atmospherical photos!

The log pile was created from the brushwood left over from coppicing the ash trees.

 

 

 

It really was quite cold, so headed back home!

New view from the footpath.

James Buckle's men have coppiced the ash trees and hope to dig our pond in the coming week. Meanwhile, there will be a working party this Saturday to clear the brushwood  away from the hedge and pile it between the trees to make small animal habitats for the wildlife.

New shoots will grow from stumps of the coppiced trees and we shall fill in the gaps with new hedgerow plants if necessary. This is an ancient way of revitalizing and managing hedges and woodland.

 



All the brushwood has been removed from the pond area and put into piles within the trees. The outline of the pond has been drawn ready for the digger next week.

Preparing for our pond

Just before Christmas we stood in the middle of where our new pond will be and discussed the fate of these coppiced ash trees, with Neil and Nick, James Buckle's employees.

We needed to decide how much of the hedge needed to be coppiced again in order to let light into the pond and reduce the amount of leaves that will fall into it in the Autumn. So all of the trees between the footpath (on the left of the photo) will be cut down and allowed to re-grow to hedge height and more hedging will be planted in the gaps.



After the storm

On a calm day, following the storm, I wandered round the wood and was pleasantly surprised to find very little damage. A few branch had broken off some of  the big trees in the hedgerow  but otherwise, everything was fine.
Seeds,berries and autumnal leaves decorated  the woodland

The mature, coppiced ash trees all look well and free from die back and have a huge crop of seeds dangling from their branches.

I couldn't find many  fungi and nearly missed this tiny one that was hidden in the grass along one of the rides.