Bluebells and bracket fungi at Wapley!

The ground is very wet underfoot - wellies or walking boots advised - but there's plenty to see at Wapley as the Nature Reserve wakes up for the spring.

The bluebells have started to appear around the woodland paths:

And do you know where at Wapley you can find these strange bracket fungi?

Report from Wapley Bushes work morning - Saturday 19 March

The cold weather, and several of the regulars being away, meant a reduced turnout - only five - but two teams went round clearing the public paths of obstructions and picking up litter at the same time. Meanwhile, the fruit trees on the common area were given a "full service" - they were pruned back hard to encourage future growth and the right shape of branches in the future, as well as loosening the tree straps to provide growing room as appropriate.

Goose Green Workday - Saturday 9 April

As part of our commitment to 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.

Lilliput Park work morning - Tuesday 4 April

A small band of enthusiasts - the Lilliput Conservation Group - is spending a couple of hours on the first Tuesday of each month tidying up the hedgerows and plantings in Lilliput Park.

Please come along and help us improve this historic park. We shall be meeting at the Kingfisher Road gate at 10.00 am. Please wear suitable footwear and bring gloves if you have them.

You can check out the Lilliput Conservation Group on Facebook for more information.

The Orchard for the Future is five years old today!

It's hard to believe, but it's exactly five years ago today that we got together to plant the Orchard for the Future at Wapley. It was very much a joint effort - funded by South Glos, sited mostly on Dodington Parish Council land, planted by local volunteers, and looked after ever since by Wapley Bushes Conservation Group. 

Virtually all the trees have survived, and we're gradually getting a modest crop each year. All the fruit varieties are traditional and local to the area - there used to be lots of small orchards around here, but almost all have disappeared over the years. This is our small effort to roll back the trend.

Quiz Night Live! - Friday 1st April

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.