Conservation Work Party – Saturday 5th November 2016

Our next work party is on Saturday 5th November and we would be delighted to see any new volunteers.  We meet at 10.00 am at the top of Intake Lane and work until 1.00 pm with a break midway, but even help for just an hour would be appreciated.  Bring gloves if you can, and wear stout shoes or wellies.  All the necessary tools are provided.

 

The Grapevine Parish Magazine entry for November 2016

Our group recently had a very enjoyable afternoon at Ampleforth Abbey, following a delicious Sunday lunch at The Fairfax Arms, Gilling East.  One of our members cycled there from Dunnington; isn’t that impressive?   Some of us walked the short distance from Gilling to the Abbey, following a pleasant track alongside the playing fields.  We headed for the Visitor Centre and the welcoming Abbey, then visited the Tea Room, furnished with Mousey Thompson tables and chairs and finally saw the Orchards, full of a myriad of apple trees.  Ingrid Marie, Worcester Perm, Discovery, Sunset, Spartan, Wagner, Ribston Pippin, Kent, Suntan, Fiesta, Crispin, Lord Lambourne are just a few of the varieties, I wonder how many names you recognize?

 The orchard at Ampleforth Abbey

It still feels summery but soon we’ll be having our Autumn Lecture which this year is by Mike Sutton-Croft from Defra, on ‘Alien Species’.  Mike has carried out wide-ranging research on their impact, from Crayfish in our rivers to American Skunk-cabbage introduced by garden centres.  (An American expert mistakenly referred to them as American Spunk-cabbage which always makes me laugh).  The Lecture is on Wednesday 23rd November at 8.00pm in Dunnington Reading Room.  Everyone is welcome, free to members, otherwise £1.50 to help with costs.

We’re holding our Working Parties on 5th November, 3rd December, and 7th January. The  Conservation Volunteers are helping us to clear brambles (by their roots) in the bluebell area on 31st October, 7th November, 14th  November, and 17th November. You’re always welcome to join us, whether it’s for a few minutes or a couple of hours.  Who’d prefer to exercise in a gym when you could be out in the fresh air, enjoying the autumnal colours and nutty fragrance of the magnificent trees?

Please check our website http://www.fohw.org.uk   for dates of future events including our New Year Lunch and other activities.

Linda Maggs

 

Conservation Work Party – Saturday 22 October 2016

Our next work party is on Saturday  22nd October and we would be delighted to see any new volunteers.  We meet at 10.00 am at the top of Intake Lane and work until 1.00 pm with a break midway, but even help for just an hour would be appreciated.  Bring gloves if you can, and wear stout shoes or wellies.  All the necessary tools are provided.