First stage of the new Wapley bridge

The support beams for the new bridge were put into place the night before last, so you can now see the increased clearance that will be needed for the overhead electric cables.

The new support beams rest on the century-old supporting piers

Trains are running regularly under the partly constructed bridge

Wapley bridge the morning after the night before

Work on the Wapley bridge came to a halt last night due to the wind and rain - it would have been unsafe to lift the new bridge sections in. We don't yet know the new timing for this but we're guessing next week, maybe New Year's Eve / New Year's Day.

Update 28 December - they've lifted the new bridge beams in! Picture to follow.

A train thunders past the gap and the crane. Parts of the new bridge are on the lorry on the right.

The gap, with the left-hand support being built up with concrete to the new height.

The support beams for the new bridge waiting on the lorry.

Wapley bridge up, up and away...

The old bridge across the railway from Shire Way to Wapley Common (Sergeant's Farm Bridge) was craned out this morning (Boxing Day) in a spectacular operation by Network Rail's contractors Murphy and crane operators James Jack.

The 1900s structure was stubborn to the last - it took a man with a sladgehammer to free it from its masonry supports.

Wapley bridge - Network rail promised a big crane...

... and they weren't joking! The Big Lift should start around 8.30 or 9.00 am on Boxing Day morning.

Merry Christmas from Wapley Bushes!

Work on temporary Wapley footbridge going well

They've erected the two stairways and they are just putting the support for the walkway across today (Sunday 7 Dec). Presumably they'll need some more time without any trains passing to finish the walkway off.

Wapley footbridge update

A quick progress report on Network Rail's work to raise the footbridge in connection with the electrification of the Great Western main line.

On the Wapley side of the bridge they have now laid stone along the green lane to the point where the temporary footbridge will be positioned. On the Shire Way side contractors Murphys have been removing excess soil prior to constructing the temporary bridge. If the track to or from the "ash track" is blocked for lorry movements, they will let you through if you ask - the track isn't closed.

The temporary bridge will go up in the fairly near future, and they will then start work on the accesses to the new bridge. Subject to the weather it is planned to crane the old bridge out and crane the new bridge in over a VERY long day on Boxing Day.

Triple celebration at Wapley Work Morning

Wapley Bushes Conservation Group have celebrated three major successes this year. We've retained the Green Flag Community Award - awarded for high quality public open space - and gained two awards in South West in Bloom, forming part of Yate and Dodington in Bloom's Gold Pennant winning entry.

Presenting the awards to the Group at the 15 November work morning, Dodington Parish Council Chairman Cllr Christine Howard said "This is all down to the volunteers. Without their enthusiasm none of this would have been possible"

Conservation Group volunteer and parish councillor Paul Hulbert said "We were particularly pleased that our very new project on Wapley Common, the Orchard for the Future, gained the highest possible Neighbourhood In Bloom Award"

"We've already started preparing for next year - since the judges visited, Dodington Parish Council and the Conservation Group have relaid the main path round Wapley Woods so that local people will be able to use it despite wet weather over the winter"

But it wasn't all celebrations - after the presentation we got stuck in and cleared back vegetation on both sides of the pathway from the kissing gate to the Western Wood, plus a "deep clean" of the litter on the Reserve.

Rail works at Wapley footbridge now under way

The work to raise the Wapley footbridge to make room for the overhead cables for electric trains is now under way. Network Rail's contractors have been clearing vegetation and test drilling to check out the ground conditions.

A temporary footbridge will be provided while the main bridge is out of use. Unfortunately the temporary bridge won't be suitable for pushchairs or prams.

Major awards for Wapley

This year we have once again won three major awards. In South West in Bloom, Wapley Common and the Orchard for the Future gained a Level 5 Outstanding award, and was part of the route that gained Yate and Dodington in Bloom a Gold Pennant. Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve gained a Level 3 Developing award.

The Nature Reserve and Orchard retained the Green Flag Community Award, the national award for high quality public open spaces. The awards will be presented by the Chairman of Dodington Parish Council Cllr Christine Howard at the start of our next Wapley work morning on Saturday 15 November.

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Workday, Saturday 15 November

This workday will be a morning of general maintenance work and tidying up the reserve prior to the winter season. Please wear walking or wellington boots and bring some gloves. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

Pond Life - take 2

 

Last week's work morning had to be postponed - it was raining so much that it was too wet to work on the pond! It will now take place this Saturday, 11 October. 

The Kennedy Way Pond recently won an award in South West in Bloom for its range of flora and fauna. Volunteers will be carrying out general management works including vegetation clearance at this local wildlife haven.

Meet at the Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre at 10.00am (parking is available at the Yate overflow car park also on the eastern side of Link Road, BS37 4AY).

Pond life - exercise in the open air

The Wildlife Trust will be holding a workday on Saturday 4 October at the Kennedy Way Pond, which recently won an award in South West in Bloom for its range of flora and fauna. Volunteers will be carrying out general management works including vegetation clearance at this local wildlife haven.

Meet at the Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre at 10.00am (parking is available at the Yate overflow car park also on the eastern side of Link Road, BS37 4AY).

Report from Work Morning, 14 September

A dozen volunteers set to and achieved wonders in a couple of hours. We dug out the stream - our annual task - and cleared paths, gathered rubbish and checked our fruit trees. A good morning in the fresh air!

Report from Bat Walk, 13 September

Catching up... The Bat Walk went very well, and all the families who came managed to both "detect" bats and and actually see them. The best place was the pond in the corner of the Upper Meadow, probably because they were feeding on the midges that gather there.

Discover nature and find out about the sun this week

The Discover Festival continues with lots of local events. This Friday 26 September at 2 pm there is a Wild Walk in Yate to discover autumn wildlife, fungi and wild edibles with local naturalist Ed Drewitt on ramble around Goose Green. No dogs allowed except guide dogs.

Meet at Goose Green on the Frome Valley Walkway, at the entrance on Oak Close, BS37 5TW. Booking required - press the Book Now button on http://www.southglos.gov.uk/events/wild-walk-discover-autumn-wildlife-fungi-and-wild-edibles-2/

And this Saturday 27 September you can "Discover the sun!" starting 11 am at St. Nicholas’ Family Centre, Chargrove, Yate, BS37 4LG.  Discover more about the sun at this astronomy talk with the Cotswold Astronomy Society plus outdoor observation session using solar telescopes (weather permitting).

No dogs allowed except guide dogs. Age: 12 plus. Booking required - press the Book Now button on http://www.southglos.gov.uk/events/discover-the-sun-astronomy-talk-and-use-of-solar-telescopes/

Many more Discover Festival events are listed here: http://www.southglos.gov.uk/discover-festival/#!/

Success as new proposals received for Wapley footbridge over railway

Paul Hulbert at the Wapley Footbridge

We reported previously that Network Rail's original plans for raising the footbridge from Shire Way to Wapley Common had been rejected by South Gloucestershire Council.

Network Rail have now produced much more realistic plans, with a bridge width of 3 metres which will accomodate bikes and pushchairs safely. They presented their plans to Dodington Parish Council's Planning Committee yesterday evening, and the plans will be made more widely available shortly.

The bridge needs to be modified to cope with the electrification of the main railway line. There will be a temporary footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists while work takes place, but unfortunately the temporary bridge will not be suitable for pushchairs.

Work is likely to restart in November, with the bridge being closed from December to March.

Wapley Bushes Bat Walk Saturday 13 September

It's time to go detecting again! Join Avon Bat Group for a twilight stroll in search of bats. Bat detectors provided. Wear warm clothes and boots and bring a torch. Meet at 7.15 pm at the Shire Way entrance to Wapley Bushes (opposite Cherington, Yate, BS37 8YA)

Wapley Bushes Workday, Sunday 14 September

This workday will be our annual stream clearance where we hope to clear the central watercourse through the main woodland. This work is required to preserve the habitat of the rare local thin-spiked wood sedge. You are welcome to come along and please wear walking or wellington boots and bring some gloves.
Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, 10.00am.

Day of Judgement (Part 2)

Today was the second judging session for this year's South West in Bloom awards. This time judge Grenville Johnson visited Yate and Dodington In Bloom to carry out the judging for the Neighbourhoods Award. Grenville prefers the word "assessor" rather  than judge, as like all In Bloom judges he gives groups lots of helpful hints and tips. Here Tim Fairhead and Malcolm Stephen are showing him part of the woodland at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve.

Successful fruit tree pruning workshop at Wapley

The pruning workshop at Wapley today, which was led by local fruit tree expert Mr Fruit (Graham White) was very interesting.

Members of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group were joined by colleagues from Friends of Yate Common, Bradley Stoke in Bloom (Three Brooks Nature Conservation Group) and and Downend and Bromley Heath (Friends of Leap Valley).

Please click the links for details of these other excellent local reserves.

Day of Judgement (part 1)

Today was the first judging session for this year's South West in Bloom awards. Judge Michael Foy visited Yate and Dodington In Bloom to carry out the judging for the Pennant Award. He is seen here with Tim Fairhead and Paul Hulbert at the Orchard for the Future.

Less mud at Wapley next winter!

One of the muddy stretches of path earlier this year

Dodington Parish Council and Wapley Bushes Conservation Group are undertaking a major path upgrading project at Wapley Bushes this summer. The aim is to get rid of the very muddy stretches due to the last couple of very wet winters. The section of path shown in the photo is still very muddy even in the current warm weather.

Ring Paul Hulbert on 01454 315851 or email paul.hulbert@gmail.com for more information or if you would be interested in helping at conservation mornings in the Nature Reserve.

Let's pull together to rid the River Frome of Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant which spreads along riverbanks, smothering native plants and causing flooding. The easiest way to control it is to pull it up.

Join us for free Big Pull mornings this summer. Everyone is welcome. 10am – 1pm on Saturdays 28 June and 12 July, meeting at the far end of Celestine Road, Yate BS37 5HB.

Wellies, trousers and long sleeves recommended. Gloves, equipment, guidance and free refreshments will be provided.

For more information or if you have access needs, please contact communityspaces@southglos.gov.uk,  call 01454 863556 or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/bigpull

Fruit tree pruning workshop 13 July - come and join in!

Orchards are a South Gloucestershire priority biodiversity habitat because many orchards have been neglected or grubbed up in recent decades.

In order to help stem this decline, Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, Dodington Parish Council and South Gloucestershire Council are now all working together to preserve the traditional horticultural skills that are needed to maintain existing and newly-planted orchards.

A free fruit tree pruning workshop is being held at the Wapley Rank cottages opposite the southern Besom Lane entrance to Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, Besom Lane, Westerleigh, South Gloucestershire, BS37 8RW, starting at 10am on Sunday, 13 July 2014. The workshop tutor will be local fruit tree expert Mr Graham White. No advance booking needed - just turn up on the day.

Summer Commons Walk Sunday 29 June

South Gloucestershire is fortunate to have some very picturesque countryside and our local walk leaders,
Richard and Pauline Wilson, will be taking us to the Orange End, Assley Common and Inglestone Common
areas in the north of the county where we shall see wild summer flora in full bloom.

Please wear walking boots or other stout footwear. Ample free car parking is available at the Wickwar Road car park - meet for a car share at the Clock Tower, High Street, Chipping Sodbury, 2.00pm.

Guided nature walk at Ridge Wood Sunday 15 June

Exjoy a relaxed Wild Flower Walk through Ridge Wood with local naturalist Rupert Higgins. Learn more about the wildflowers in this beautiful nature reserve and about how the reserve is managed.

Meet at Quarry Road entrance 9.50 am for a 10 am start. The walk should finish around 12 noon.

Chipping Sodbury, Lilliput & Kingrove Common Walk, Friday 23 May

This particular spring walk forms part of South Gloucestershire’s Walking for Health programme so it is relatively gentle and different walk options are available such as walking in the Ridge Wood nature reserve or heading out into the green, open countryside.
Meet at the Rugby Club car park, The Ridings, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6PQ, 10.30am.

Goose Green Spring Clean, Saturday 12 April

Help preserve this local grassland and wetland nature reserve! We shall be undertaking reserve maintenance such as path clearance and a general reserve tidy up.  Please wear walking or wellington boots and bring some gloves.

Please meet at the bridge on the reserve, west of Oak Close, North Yate, 10.00am.

Spring Countryside Walk, Sunday 6 April

This will be a guided tour of the scenic River Bybrook area near Slaughterford, Wiltshire and our walk leaders will be the experienced guides Richard and Pauline Wilson. Please wear walking boots or other stout footwear and please note that ample free car parking is available at the Wickwar Road car park.
Meet for a car share at the Clock Tower, High Street, Chipping Sodbury, 2.00pm.

Spring has sprung, and we've cleaned it!

It was a lovely spring morning today, and we made the most of it. Half a dozen volunteers scoured the Nature Reserve and the Common picking up litter and giving the Reserve a "deep clean". Fortunately there wasn't too much rubbish except in the couple of usual litter "hot spots".

Meanwhile Tim went round the young trees in the Orchard for the Future applying deer repellant and administering minor "first aid" where necessary. The trees are looking good.

Thanks to everyone who took part today!

Quiz Night Live! Friday 21 March

This is your chance to have some fun and pick a team of Eggheads and bring them along to our general knowledge quiz in aid of Avon Wildlife Trust. You are most welcome make up a team name and bring your own snacks and beverages. We will also be serving tea and coffee for you in the break. Quiz teams are usually made up of four players at a cost of £2.50 per individual team member. Please contact Malcolm on 01454 310328 to book your team's place.

Venue: The Old Grammar School, High Street, Chipping Sodbury.

Dry Stone Walling Course at Dyrham Park, Monday 19 & Tuesday 20 May

This is an opportunity to learn the traditional countryside craft of dry stone walling under the tuition of experienced practitioners. The two day course costs £60 and for more information and to book a place please contact the National Trust at Dyrham Park on 01225 892374.
Please meet at the visitor centre at 9.30am on both days and Dyrham Park is 2 miles south of the M4 Junction 18 on the A46 (satnav postcode: SN14 8HY).

Wapley Local Nature Reserve Workday, Saturday 15 March

We shall be undertaking general management tasks, including a spring clean, that will help to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve. Please wear stout footwear.

Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

Temporary footbridge for Wapley

It looks like Network Rail have listened to councillors and users of the path over the footbridge to Wapley Bushes. They have put in an application to divert the path via a temporary footbridge while they raise the bridge to get clearance for the overhead cables for electrifying the line.

Clearance work has recently started on site and we are now waiting for Network Rail to sort out the details of the paths to make sure that the slope isn’t too steep.

Report from Wapley Work Morning, Sunday 16 February

A very busy work morning, as nine of us tackled some major jobs. Tree planting, fruit tree pruning, litter picking, cutting up fallen trees, and hydrological engineering!

We cleared some fallen trees and then tackled the blocked outlet from the Top Pond. To find the blockage we first had to hack our way up through the middle of a hedge:

I think we've found the source of the Nile
- Dr Livingstone I presume?

The blockage which was making the Top Pond too deep turned out to be fallen tree branches under the water. Some of them were so rotten they looked like been spare parts for the Mary Rose. Eventually we were rewarded with success as the stream started to flow rapidly - we calculated the flow rate as about at around a tonne of water a minute. The pond was already several inches lower when we left - objective achieved.

The stream is now flowing healthily again

Meanwhile our other work parties were pruning back the small fruit trees in the Orchard for the Future and generally tidying up the Nature Reserve. A good morning's work!

Worst mud patches being repaired

Dodington Parish Council has generously agreed to finance repairing the worst parts of the weather damage on the Nature Reserve. Stone will be put on the mud patches on either side of the bridge between the two meadows, and the worn steps at the bottom of the Lower Path in the main woods are being rebuilt.

Meanwhile the Conservation Group is looking for finance to restore the more extensive lengths of paths within the woods.

Wapley Local Nature Reserve Workday, Sunday 16 February

This is your chance to burn off some of those Christmas and New Year calories by joining us for our first workday of the new year. We shall be undertaking general management tasks that will help to enhance the
biodiversity of this precious nature reserve. Please wear walking or wellington boots and bring some gloves.

Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

Happy New Year from Wapley Bushes!

Here's a local resident (Chipping Sodbury actually) to go with our recent sound recording (repeated below) of one of his Shire Way cousins, a short distance from Wapley. The sound recording was made at 11.30 pm. Apparently robins can see well enough to catch insects by street lighting, so they stay up late and only shut up when the street lamps go off. A local friend reports that her neighbourhood robin starts singing at 3.00 am, so either they don't need much sleep, or they operate a shift system...