Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, near Yate and Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire.


The Nature Reserve is run by the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, a small group of volunteers.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Misuse of Wapley picnic field


With the good weather and the bank holiday, there were groups of people meeting up at the Picnic Field last weekend.  It was a real state when the Parish Council groundsman went to clean it yesterday. There was evidence of drug taking, drinking, disposable BBQs slung in the hedges.  There were the little gas canisters and balloons as well.

Be warned - the police have been asked to put this area on their regular patrol route.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Watch out, ticks are about!

It is tick season, so if you are out exercising around woodlands, grasslands or moorlands, please check for ticks regularly and remove them safely. #BeTickAware.

This video shows what to do if you get bitten:


Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Wapley Bushes and Common are still open!


If you're looking for a big area to exercise safely while keeping the recommended two metres apart, how about visiting Wapley Common and Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve?

There's plenty of space to explore, and lots to see - the spring flowers are starting to appear, there are lots of birds, and the early butterflies are about, like this lovely Comma.

Monday, March 23, 2020

Environmental work days cancelled


Because of the Coronavirus outbreak, all work days, events and meetings organised by Wapley Bushes Conservation Group and Avon Wildlife Trust Southwold Group have been cancelled until further notice.

The advice we have received is that the risks involved with shared tools and even with gathering for a safety briefing at the start of a session are too high.

However, at the moment individuals are still being encouraged to visit green spaces as healthy exercise, as long as they maintain the two metre "social distancing". So there is no reason why we as individuals can't do things like keeping an eye on our reserves, reporting any problems to the site owner, or some individual litter picking.

We'll continue to keep you up to date with news about Wapley Bushes on this blog.

Friday, March 20, 2020

Successful last tree planting morning for the winter


We did our last planting morning on Saturday 14 March, with 11 volunteers putting another 33 native trees into the woodland to replace the ashes we shall lose to Ash Dieback Disease. We planted a mixture of oak, crack willow, small-leaved lime, alder, whitebeam, silver beech and rowan.

That completes our planting programme for this winter, and means that we have now planted more than 300 trees over the last 3 years.

Our thanks go to our many volunteers, and to Dodington Parish Council for buying the trees and paying for our always enthusiastic local contractor Chris Belcher for strimming the ground ready for us.

You may notice some gaps in the planting. We've avoided the main areas where we can see bluebells coming up, and we think there may be a bumper showing of them this year.

Saturday, March 07, 2020

Now you see it, now you don't


Sharp-eyed visitors will notice that the interpretation board where the Ride leaves the Common has disappeared.

Don't worry, this is part of the process of getting new interpretation boards produced for here, and also for the Shire Way entrance and the Top Pond.

Thursday, March 05, 2020

Wapley trees getting "royal treatment" with coronet cut



You may have noticed that tree surgery has been carried out recently on several trees that are suffering from ash dieback disease. They have been cut back to "monoliths" 6 metres high, and the tops have been cut into splintered shapes.

This is called "coronet cut" - it imitates the natural fractures that would happen if the decaying trees failed under storm conditions, instead of simple straight cuts. The greater surface area provides a microhabitat for insects, fungi and microorganisms. The insects will be a great food source for our local bird life.

Apparently in Sweden they experimented with achieving this effect using explosives. We decided that this wouldn't be a good idea for Wapley...

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

No, it's not the Wapley Water Park


Most of the parking area at the Besom Lane end of Wapley Common is currently under water. We think this is the worst flooding we've had since December 2012, but the water level is gradually going down now. South Glos Council has been asked to check the drains that run under Besom Lane.

*** UPDATE 6th MARCH ***
The tide has gone down, and the parking area is now clear of water. Obviously parts of the Common and Nature Reserve are still very wet.

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Work Morning - Saturday 14 March


We shall be undertaking more tree planting that will help to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve and doing a spring clean too. Please wear stout footwear.

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

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Good planting progress at Wapley Bushes Work Morning on Wed 19 February

The tree planting work morning took place on Wednesday 19 February, having been postponed from the Sunday because of the high winds. 8 hardy volunteers planted 33 native broadleaf trees that will help replace the high canopy as the tall ash trees gradually die off.

The species we planted were oak, black poplar, small-leaved lime, alder, whitebeam, silver birch and rowan - a nice mix that will provide a variety of habitats in years to come.

Our next work morning will be on Saturday 14 March, meeting at 10.00 am at the Shire Way gate. This will be the last Wapley tree planting session for this winter, but there will also be lighter tasks for anyone who prefers them. Please come and join us!

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Work Morning postponed until Wednesday 19 February


Due to Storm Dennis, the tree planting planned for Sunday 16 February has been postponed. On Monday and Tuesday rain and high speed gusts of wind are still forecast. The planting session has now been rescheduled for this Wednesday (19 February)


We shall be doing a mixture of tree planting on the reserve using native British trees plus cutting back excess vegetation. Please wear stout footwear and bring gloves.

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

In the meantime, please do not enter the woodland while the Met Office wind warnings are in place. 

Friday, January 31, 2020

Primrose Bank Workday - Saturday 1 February 2020

This workday is to clear brambles to help spring flowers has been organised by the Southwold Group of Avon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Frome Forum. Please wear outdoor clothing, gloves and stout footwear.

Meet at 10am on the east side of Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury near the zebra crossing by the entrance to the Frome Valley Walkway.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Season's Greetings from Wapley Bushes


Best wishes to all our visitors, helpers and readers!

Sunday, December 08, 2019

Awards presented at Wapley Bushes Work Morning on 30 November


Our recent work morning started with the Chairman of Dodington Parish Council, Cllr David Lane (left), presenting the volunteers of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group with the Nature Reserve's  latest award certificates. The Reserve has once again won the Green Flag Community Award and two Outstanding Neighbourhood Awards from South West In Bloom.

Cllr Lane thanked volunteers, saying "Your hard work is very much appreciated by local people who visit the Nature Reserve. We're proud of what you have achieved"

By the time we started work we were joined by a number of new people - there were 17 volunteers in total, including a number of families. The volunteers planted 30 trees of varying species in the Ancient Woodland as part of our Ash Dieback Replacement Programme, and generally tidying up the Reserve.

We're just starting our busy season. Our next work morning will be on Sunday 16 February, meeting at 10.00 am at the Nature Reserve sign at the gate next to the pedestrian crossing on Shire Way, Yate. We always have work that's suitable for everyone. It's a friendly group and we welcome families to come and take part.



Friday, November 15, 2019

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Work Morning - Saturday 30 November

This work session will be a morning of woodland planting to enhance biodiversity plus general maintenance 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, 10.00 am.

Sunday, November 03, 2019

Splendid Halloween Family Owl Prowl at Wapley Bushes

Ian McGuire arriving in character

Our Family Owl Prowl on Halloween went very well, There were 35 of us including lots of children, mainly in Halloween costume. The children loved exploring the “spooky woods” in the dark - I think the adults were more nervous than they were!

The Owl Prowl was led by Ian McGuire of Wild Owl TV (dressed as the Grim Reaper!), who showed us lots of pictures on his iPad and explained the different species of British owls and the different habitats they prefer.

Ian played recorded owl calls to try to attract our local tawny owls who live in Wapley Woods. He also called them very successfully by voice, striking up a few different "conversations"

We only had one brief glimpse of a tawny owl, but we heard lots of them calling back to us. Probably 5, including a male/female pair close together. Thank you Ian for a very successful evening!

Can you spot yourselves in local professional photographer Rich McD's photos, taken under very difficult conditions?

 
 
 



Friday, October 25, 2019

Kingsgate Park Nature Reserve Ponds Workday - Postponed to Sunday 27 October

Due to heavy rain being forecast for Friday night and Saturday morning, we are postponing this work morning until Sunday 27 October. 

We shall undertaking maintenance of this important amphibian site including cutting back vegetation. Please wear gloves and wellington boots.

Meet at the Scott Way entrance to Kingsgate Park, Scott Way, Yate, BS37 4NW, 10.00am (Parking is available at the entrance of Shackleton Avenue)

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Family Owl Prowl at Wapley Bushes - Thursday 31 October (Halloween!)

Family Owl Prowl led by Ian McGuire, including mobile PowerPoint presentations.

Very suitable for families - children love to explore the “spooky woods” in the dark.

It’s Halloween evening - costumes optional! Meet at 7 pm at the Shire Way gate.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Kennedy Way Pond Workday - Saturday 5 October

We shall be carrying out general management works on the reserve including vegetation clearance at this local wildlife haven. Meet at the Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre, 10.00 am

Parking is available at the Yate overflow car park, which is also on the eastern side of Link Road, BS37 4AY.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Bicycle Safari (nature ramble on wheels) - Sunday 29 September

Enthusiastic local families listening to
Ian McGuire at last year's Bicycle Safari

Local cyclists will be able to discover the green spaces of Yate and Dodington on a family-friendly cycle ride on Sunday 29 September. The Bicycle Safari will be led by local wildlife educator Ian McGuire of Wild Owl TV, exploring the nature that lives alongside us in our town.

The ride will set off at 11.00 am from Riverside Car Park next to Yate Cinema, BS37 4AY. Cyclists can meet the South Gloucestershire Council Bikeability Team from 10.15 am onwards, to have their bikes checked or find out more about safe cycling with family and friends. Children are very welcome but under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.

The event is organised by the Joint Cycleway Group, which has members from local councils and cycling organisations and meets regularly with South Gloucestershire Council. They lobby for new and improved routes for cyclists, and run events to encourage cycling in our area.

Local councillor Paul Hulbert, the Secretary of the Joint Cycleway Group, said "We've run Bicycle Safaris for the past two years and they've been very successful. This year we're exploring the south and west of the town, down to Wapley Common and then across to Yate Common. We're so lucky to have these marvellous green areas"

"This year's Bicycle Safari is being financed by Yate Town Council and Dodington Parish Council. We're very grateful to South Gloucestershire Council's Bikeability Team for providing instructors, and to Yate Shopping Centre for letting us use the Riverside Car Park for the start and finish"

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Report from Wapley work morning Sunday 8th September


The weather was kind to the 8 volunteers who tackled some valuable tasks at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve. The usual September task was clearing out the bed of the seasonal stream that flows down through the Ancient Woodland, so that it doesn'r overflow into the surrounding vegetation. This time we also had to saw off two trees that had fallen across the stream.

Another significant job was cutting a corner of the orchard area that had been missed when the mowing was done - hence the very traditional scene in the photo above (though as we didn't have scythes we resorted to slashers instead)

Monday, September 02, 2019

Talk and slide show “The Wild Owl TV Garden” - Wednesday 18 September

Talk and slide show “The Wild Owl TV Garden” by Ian McGuire at St Nicholas Family Centre at 7.30 pm. Find out how you can encourage animals to visit and breed in your garden.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Sustainable September - events in Abbotswood and nearby

Abbotswood Action Group have announced their programme of events for "Sustainable September" - there's lots to interest all the family. The first event is this Sunday, 1st September:  “Lines In The Landscape: A time trail walk exploring how people and nature interconnect in our modern town and countryside” The walk will set off from outside St Nicholas Church, Abbotswood at 2 pm.

A walk of about two hours at a gentle pace from Abbotswood to Wapley Bushes and back. Discover disused streams and ancient hedges in the built-up area, and see how wildlife and people use pathways, beelines and wildlife corridors in the Nature Reserve. Please wear suitable footwear and dress according to the weather.

If you’re interested, other events during the month include wildlife talks and a Bicycle Safari (think “nature ramble on wheels”)

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Wildlife talk and slideshow - "The Conservation of British Owls” - Thursday 12 September

We've had some success in recent years in attracting owls to Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve.  Local owl expert Ian McGuire will be telling us more about the different types of owls and how we can help look after them. He's an entertaining speaker and he will be showing some of his excellent collection of photos.

The talk starts at 7.30 pm on Thursday 12 September in the Shire Way Community Centre, Shire Way, south Yate.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Wapley Bushes work morning - Sunday 8 September

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Workday - We shall be undertaking the annual stream clearance and other reserve maintenance walk on this autumn workday.

The stream that runs down through the woods after heavy rain needs to be cleared of leaves and other debris each autumn - if we didn't, it would flood into the area nearby and affect some locally rare plants.

We will also have the usual range of lighter tasks such as litter picking and trimming back paths - something for everyone.

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

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Wapley Woods survey for Ash Dieback - public event - Wednesday 14 August

Ash Dieback Disease is geeting closer to our area. Although we're already planting large numbers of replacement trees in Wapley Woods, we want to know whether we already have any traces of the disease in the woods, and to learn how to recognise it.

Please come along on our Ash Dieback Tree Survey walk with Chris Wright of Silverback Arboricultural Consultancy. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the Nature Reserve, south Yate, BS37 8US at 10.00am.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Very good Wapley work morning on 14th July

Twelve volunteers came along to our work morning, and we really got a lot done in the fine weather. The greenery has been growing at a rate of knots, so we needed to clear the brambles from round the young pear trees in the hedge at the bottom of the Lower meadow. We also trimmed back the edges of some of the main paths and did a "deep clean" litter pick in some of the less obvious places.

Our seasonal task was pruning the stoned fruit trees to ensure that they grow strong and straight. We also had to prop up an apple tree on the Common that had so much fruit on it that it was leaning over. It didn't help that the ground is cracking and so the original tree stake had become loose.

Despite all the hard work, we had time to admire the early stages of this season's apple crop.

Heritage variety apples in
the Orchard for the Future
We also paused to admire the many, many butterflies and flowers in the grasslands.

Meadow Brown butterfly
on Black Knapweed
Our next work morning will be on Sunday 8th September, meeting at 10 am at the Shire Way gate to the Nature Reserve. There will be something practical for everyone - please come along and meet our friendly group.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Wapley Bushes gains eighth Green Flag Community Award in a row

Members of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group showing off their eighth Green Flag Community Award at one of the Bug Hotels during their July work morning at the Local Nature Reserve.

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve and the Orchard for the Future have been recognised as one of the UK’s very best green spaces. Today, a record number of parks and green spaces collect a Green Flag Award. 

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Wapley Bushes has won the Green Flag Community Award, a category for green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups. There are only eleven Community Awards in the whole of the South West. In fact there are only two Green Flag Awards of any kind in South Gloucestershire, the other one being Page Park in Staple Hill.

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve is an area of meadows and woodlands which is very popular with local people of all ages. It is managed by the volunteers of the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group on behalf of site owners Dodington Parish Council.

Committee member Paul Hulbert said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Community Award for the eighth time”

“Our local green spaces really matter to residents and visitors. They make a major contribution to health and wellbeing”

“This award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Wapley Bushes to such a high standard - the real credit goes to our hard-working volunteers, and to Dodington Parish Council for their unfailing practical and financial help”

"Our reserve is a mixture of flower-rich meadows, ancient woodland and younger plantations. We work closely with South Gloucestershire Council and the Southwold Group of the Wildlife Trust, who provide us with very valuable advice"

The next work morning on the Reserve will be Sunday 8 September, meeting at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am. Extra volunteers would be very welcome – please contact Paul Hulbert on 01454 315851 for more details, or just turn up.


Photo

Members of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group showing off their eighth Green Flag Community Award at one of the Bug Hotels during their July work morning at the Local Nature Reserve.

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Wapley Bushes Summer Fruit Tree Pruning - Sunday 14 July

Please help us look after the historic varieties of trees in the Orchard for the Future. As well as pruning stoned fruit trees such as plums and gages, we shall also be attending to odd jobs on the reserve such as litter picking, cutting back paths and other general maintenance. As usual there will be something for everybody!

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

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Free Wildflower Walk on Yate Common - Tuesday 28 May

This guided wildflower walk will cover various grassland areas on Yate Common. Our guide for the evening will be local naturalist Pauline Wilson. The walk will start at 6.30pm and run to 8.30pm.

The meeting point will be the southern Road to Nowhere entrance to the Common where
there is some limited parking (please see https://goo.gl/maps/w96ncixAbXuXEqmi7

Free First Aid Course for environmental volunteers - Wednesday 29 May

Dodington Parish Council has arranged a First Aid course on Wednesday 29th May (next week) at Dodington Parish Hall, Finch Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6JZ.

It is intended for allotment holders and people who volunteer of local open spaces.


The course will start at 7.00pm and finish at 9.00pm and it will cover:

Safety
Bleeding (types and how to stop)
Bandaging (compression, ambulance dressings, slings)
Choking
Fainting and seizures
Burns and sunburn
Recovery position
Calling 999
Heart attack & Defibrilation
Record keeping

Friday, May 24, 2019

Beating the Bounds of Yate Common, Sunday 26 May




Beating the Bounds is an ancient custom that is practised on The Common in Yate. The Reverend, Town Mayor, Friends of the Common and local residents will walk the boundaries of The Common.
Traditionally, children are turned upside down at the corners to teach them the boundaries of their Common, which they should protect (nowadays sweets may be used as an incentive)

 
Beating the Bounds of Yate Common starts at 3pm from the St Briavels Drive entrance of Yate Common. The walk is suitable for pushchairs and takes about 60 - 90 minutes. 


If you would like to find out more about the custom, please follow this link

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Meadow species planting on Wapley Common - 4 May and 17 May


We had 13 volunteers at our work morning on Saturday 4 May, when we put in several species of plug plants to enhance the diversity in the Orchard for the Future section of Wapley Common. As well as planting we did a "deep clean" of some of the harder to reach areas of the Reserve and cut back some overgrowth.

Unfortunately one of our chosen species hadn't arrived, so we had another session on Friday 17 May. Six of us started at Dodington Parish hall, and planted all three species on the "Mini Meadow" next to the Hall - our present to the Parish Council.

Then four of us went on to Wapley Common and planted the remaining plug plants. The result is that we now have yellow rattle, oxeye daisy and knapweed (see photo above) in the third of the Orchard nearest to Shire Way - you won't see them until they've grown a bit. These plants will help encourage pollinators and discourage more invasive species. In future years we plan to do the same sort of planting on the other two thirds of the Orchard.

We finished off the session with a walk round the Reserve doing a site inspection. The icing on the cake was that we saw a Red Kite flying over the Common, with its distinctive forked tail.

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Workday - Saturday 4 May

This workday will be a combination of working with Dodington Parish Council on a deep spring clean of the reserve and planting out native plants in a grassland area. Please wear stout footwear.

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

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Goose Green Workday - Saturday 13 April

We shall be undertaking reserve maintenance on this local grassland and wetland nature reserve such as path clearance plus litter picking. Please wear walking or wellington boots and bring some gloves.

Please meet at the bridge on the reserve, west of Oak Close, north Yate, BS37 5TN, 10.00am.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Trees and woodland planting - report from work morning 16 March 2019

Despite the threat of poor weather, the rain and wind held off. Eight of us put in 33 new woodland trees of various native species and 56 lesser celandine plug plants.

One of the plug plants

This session completes our winter 2108/2019 tree planting programme at Wapley - since early 2017 we've planted 230 saplings that will grow up into substantial woodland trees. We're planning to put in another 100 trees next winter.

Saturday, March 02, 2019

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Workday - Saturday 16 March

We shall be undertaking more tree planting that will help to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve and doing a spring clean too. Please wear stout footwear.

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

River Frome Spring Clean work morning - Saturday 16 March

This is the annual spring clean around the River Frome Walkway area by Yate Shopping Centre. Everyone is welcome to help out to clear up our local environment and please wear sturdy footwear and bring stout gloves. Bin bags and litter pickers will be provided and this event is organised by Chipping Sodbury's Baptist Church environmental action group.

Meet at 10am at the Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre (parking is available at the two car parks on either side of Link Road, BS37 4AY).

Friday, March 01, 2019

Ridge Wood woodland work morning, Sunday 10 March

10am -12noon, meet at the Melrose Close entrance of Ridge Wood local nature reserve, situated between Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

Work days are a fantastic way to make a practical contribution to the future of this important local nature reserve and are great fun. A range of activities will be undertaken, suitable for all abilities.

New volunteers are always welcome - no need to book, just turn up. Gloves and tools provided.

Further details and a map can be found on the Ridge Wood website: www.ridge-wood.org.uk
Email: info.forw@gmail.com

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Very productive work morning at Wapley on Sunday 17 Feb


We had an excellent tree planting session at Wapley on Sunday. Fifteen volunteers planted 33 trees and did a litter-pick as well. We were pleased to welcome four new volunteers including a family group.

In the core of the Ancient Woodland we put in 24 trees, a mixture of English oak, black poplar, linden, black alder and rowan (mountain ash). All of these will grow into substantial trees to replace anticipated losses of the high canopy due to Ash Dieback Disease, which is now only a few miles away. By using a wide mix of native species we are future-proofing the woodland against as yet unknown diseases, while providing a good habitat replacement for birds, insects and lichen.

We also put in 9 smaller trees in a gap on the woodland edge nearest to the Common where a big tree fell a few months ago - wild cherry, goat willow, field maple and common hazel.

Our next work morning will be on Saturday 16 March. As well as another 30 plus significant trees we shall be putting in some plug plants of typical ancient woodland species such as yellow archangel on the woodland floor, and doing some litter picking as well.

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Wapley Local Nature Reserve Workday - Sunday 17 February

We shall be doing a mixture of tree planting on the reserve using native British trees plus cutting back  excess vegetation. Please wear stout footwear and bring gloves.
Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, south Yate, BS37 8US, 10.00am.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Many hands made light work at Wapley work morning on 2 December!


Eleven of us made short work of the woodland planting on 2 December. Despite the rain we planted 35 woodland trees of various species to help replace future losses from ash dieback disease. With such a good attendance we got the trees planted quickly.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Wapley Local Nature Reserve Workday - Sunday 2 December

This workday will be a morning of woodland planting to enhance biodiversity plus general maintenance 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.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Ridge Wood work morning - Sunday 25 November

Meet at 10.00 am at the Melrose Close entrance to woods (see map here)
Jobs to suit all abilities, gloves and tools provided
Finish at 12:00 noon approx.

Find out more from the Ridge Wood website

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Wapley Fungus Foray finds species galore


 The Wapley Fungus Foray on 14 October was a great success. Led by Lee Haywood of the Cotswold Fungus Group, 13 volunteers found a wide variety of fungi. The children were particularly good at finding them.

The event was organised by Wapley Bushes Conservation Group and sponsored by South Gloucestershire Council via Cllr Tony Davis's Member Awarded Funding grant. Many thanks Tony!

Here is a small selection of the other fungi we found - there's an official list, but please don't ask me what they all are!











Success at South West In Bloom Awards

Volunteers Pete Carpenter, Paul Hulbert and Tim
Fairhead in Yeovil with the award certificates
Wapley Bushes received two Outstanding awards - the highest level possible for Neighbourhood entries - at the South West In Bloom awards in Yeovil earlier this month.

The judge particularly praised Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve for "outstanding environmental responsibility" in the long-term re-planting project in the woodland, and for the community participation in events and workdays.

Regarding Wapley Common and the Orchard for the Future, the assessor singled out the fruit trees, the grass-cutting rotation providing small mammal habitat (owl prey) and the new bug hotels for special praise.

Lilliput Park, where many of the same people volunteer, gained the Outstanding Award too.

We also congratulate our colleagues of the Wapley Allotments Association for their two Outstanding awards - so it was a clean sweep all round!

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Kingsgate Park Nature Reserve Ponds Workday - Saturday 27 October

We shall undertaking maintenance of this important amphibian site including the cutting back of vegetation. Please wear gloves and wellington boots.

Meet at the Scott Way entrance to Kingsgate Park, Scott Way, Yate, BS37 4NW, 10.00am (parking is available at the entrance of Shackleton Avenue).

Sunday, October 07, 2018

Ridge Wood work morning - Sunday 21 October

Meet at 10.00 am at the Melrose Close entrance to woods (see map here)
Jobs to suit all abilities, gloves and tools provided
Finish at 12:00 noon approx.

Find out more from the Ridge Wood website

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Fungus Foray at Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, Sunday 14 October


Investigating and learning about our local fungi with expert Lee Hayward of Cotswold Fungus Group.There will be many kinds of fungi about – let’s see how many we can find! This event is sponsored by South Gloucestershire Council. Please wear stout footwear.

Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland (opposite the road entrance to Cherington), south Yate, BS37 8US, 2 pm

Friday, September 28, 2018

Create a Back Garden Nature Reserve - illustrated talk by Ian McGuire of Wild Owl TV - Friday 12 October

In the second of his two wildlife gardening talks, local expert Ian McGuire explains how creating habitats, putting up nest boxes and feeding animals can change a suburban garden into a miniature nature reserve. This event is sponsored by South Gloucestershire Council and Dodington Parish Council.

Friday 12 October, 7.30 pm at Dodington Parish Hall, Finch Road, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6JZ.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Kennedy Way Pond Workday - Saturday 6 October

We shall be carrying out general management works on the reserve including vegetation clearance at this local wildlife haven.

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

Monday, September 10, 2018

Another successful Wapley work morning on 9 September

There were only 8 of us, but we accomplished a lot. We carried our annual task of clearing the stream down through the wood - if we didn't do this, the centre of the woodland would start flooding.

Some of the team - proving that
there's now headroom on the paths!
We also chopped back the low-hanging vegetation on the woodland paths, litter-picked round the woodland, and did "routine maintenance" on the fruit trees. Well done everybody!

Sunday, September 09, 2018

Ridge Wood work morning - Sunday 23 September

Meet at 10.00 am at the Melrose Close entrance to woods (see map here)
Jobs to suit all abilities, gloves and tools provided
Finish at 12:00 noon approx.

Find out more from the Ridge Wood website

Friday, August 31, 2018

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Sunbathing fox


Seen in the farmer's field next to Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve this afternoon.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Workday - Sunday 9 September

We shall be undertaking the annual stream clearance and other reserve maintenance walk on this autumn workday. Please wear stout footwear.

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

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Bicycle Safari - Discover local nature on two wheels with expert Ian McGuire.- Sunday 2 September

Family friendly, under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. Bicycle Safari sets off at 11.00 am from Riverside car park next to Yate Cinema BS37 4AY. Meet from 10.15 am for briefing and to check bikes.

Organised by the Joint Cycleway Group with bike checks and riding hints from South Glos Council's "Dr Bike" team".

Thursday, August 09, 2018

Ridge Woods Forest Fun Time - Thursday 23rd August

Return of this popular family woodland event, suitable for accompanied children up to age 11.

Forest Trail, Woodland Crafts, free entry, refreshments

Trail starts at Jubilee Gardens Entrance from 2:00 pm - please see map of woods here


Sorry, no dogs at this event. 

Monday, July 16, 2018

Wapley Bushes given 7th Green Flag Community Award




It's now official - Wapley Bushes has achieved the Green Flag Community Award for the 7th year in a row. Ours is one of only 8 Community Awards in the South West, and in fact we've got the only Green Flag award of any sort in South Gloucestershire. Well done to all our volunteers and to Dodington Parish Council staff!
 
The Green Flag Community Award, a category for green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups.

The next work morning on the Reserve will be Sunday 9 September, meeting at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, BS37 8US, 10.00am. Extra volunteers would be very welcome – please contact Paul Hulbert on 01454 315851 for more details, or just turn up.
 

Busy bees and the cricket season - report from work morning 15 July 2018

We had a productive work morning this weekend - it was so hot that we had to keep it slightly shorter than usual. Six of us cleared the bramble and other growth round the young fruit trees in the bottom hedge of the lower meadow to give them room for growth. We also cut back overgrowth on the top path and behind the seats on the Common.

While we were there we watched the leaf cutter bees hard at work at our new Bug Hotels on Wapley Common. They lay their eggs in a hole, seal off the cell with leaf fragments, lay eggs in another cell, cap it with more leaves and so on.


We also saw quite a few crickets - here's one resting on one of our tools.


Sunday, July 01, 2018

Bugs get posh new accommodation at Wapley Common




Young people from the 4th Chipping Sodbury Guides and Brownies have helped enthusiastically to furnish a new bug hotel for the orchard at Wapley Common. The event was organised after Dodington Parish Councillor Paul Hulbert, a member of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, ran an Environment Evening for them at Abbotswood School.



"The girls were so enthusiastic and knowledgeable that I invited them to do some practical work at Wapley" said Cllr Hulbert. "We've put a total of three new bug hotels on Wapley Common, and this one is very impressive"

"The Brownies and Guides worked really hard under the direction of our contractor Chris Belcher, who had already constructed the framework"


The bug hotels are part of the Orchard for the Future project organised by Wapley Bushes Conservation Group. There are three groups of young orchard trees on Wapley Common, and each group of trees now has its own bug hotel or "pollinator palace". The intention is to encourage pollinating insects, so increasing the apple crops in future years so that local people can come and pick their own apples, all of which are local historic varieties that are not available in the shops.

There were ten Guides and Brownies plus four Leaders, plus the three of us that are involved with Wapley Bushes.


Wapley Bushes Summer Fruit Tree Pruning - Sunday 15 July

As well as pruning stoned fruit trees such as plums and gages, we shall also be attending to odd jobs on the reserve.

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

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Successful plant identification walk, Sunday 17 June

Nine of us joined Rupert Higgins of Wessex Ecological Consultancy to explore the "Ashtrack" that runs alongside the railway just across from the Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve. It's obviously an important wildlife corridor, bringing new flora and fauna into the area. There were lots of interesting plants, though no great rarities, and Rupert taught us a lot.

The event was sponsored by South Gloucestershire Council as part of Councillor Tony Davis's Member Awarded Funding grant.

Sunday, June 03, 2018

Plant identification walk near Shire Way - Sunday 17 June

Please join expert Rupert Higgins of Wessex Ecological Consultancy and members of Wapley Bushes Conservation Group to explore the path and linear woodland alongside the railway. We saw several notable plants here last year, and we want to find out what else is along this well-used pathway just across the railway from Wapley Bushes. This event is sponsored by South Gloucestershire Council.

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

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Lilliput Park - June and July work mornings

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

The next work mornings will be on Tue 5th June, Sat 23rd June and Tue 3rd July. Then we shall be having a summer break until September.

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.

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

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Lilliput Park - May work mornings

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

The May work mornings will be on Tue 1st and Sat 26th. 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.

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

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Ridge Wood Evening Bird Chorus Walk - Tuesday 8th May


Take an evening stroll through Ridge Wood and experience the sounds of spring with Ed Drewitt.
Ed is a freelance naturalist and is a regular contributor on BBC's Springwatch and The One Show etc. Further info on his website here.



Meet at Quarry Road entrance to woods - 7:15pm (
see map here )

Pay on Arrival - Adult £3.00 Child - £1.50
No need to book, just come along!

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Kennedy Way Pond & River Frome Workday - Saturday 5 May

We shall be carrying out a general spring clean by the River Frome and at the Kennedy Way Pond nature area.

Meet at the Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre, 10.00am (parking is available at the two car parks on either side of Link Road, BS37 4AY).

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Keep your eyes on the skies!

The weather seems to be bringing in some birds that are unusual for our area. Craig Lewis spotted a pair of Red Kites above Maisemore, just off Shire Way yesterday:

Photo by Craig Lewis
They stayed around for quite a while and gradually moved off heading north.

What's more Craig also spotted a Hoopoe early this morning at Kingsgate Park - that's quite a rarity, the RSPB reckons that only about a hundred make it to our shores each year. In case you see it, here's what they look like:
Source: RSPB


Sunday, April 08, 2018

Ridge Wood work morning - Sunday 22 April

Meet at 10.00 am at the Melrose Close entrance to woods (see map here)
Jobs to suit all abilities, gloves and tools provided
Finish at 12:00 noon approx.

Find out more from the Ridge Wood websit

Saturday, March 31, 2018

Goose Green Workday - Saturday 14 April

We shall be undertaking reserve maintenance on this local grassland and wetland nature reserve such as path clearance plus litter picking. Please wear walking or wellington boots and bring some gloves.

Please meet at the bridge on the reserve, west of Oak Close, north Yate, BS37 5TN, 10.00am.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Planting for generations to come - report from Wapley work mornings March 2018

We had a good work morning on Saturday 17 March, despite the bitter cold and snow flurries. Although there were only four of the regular volunteers, we were joined by 19 guides and 3 adults from the First Westerleigh Guides, who meet at Abbotswood Primary School.

The guides planted 48 Yellow Archangel plug plants, a typical flower of ancient woodlands and hedgerows, and did a big litter pick. Their spring cleaning even unearthed a metal backplate from a washing machine, that someone had been using as a slide. We were very impressed by the girls' energy and enthusiasm.

Meanwhile the volunteers concentrated on tree planting in the woodland. The priority task was to put in 10 large Wild Service Trees, a tall deciduous broadleaf that is quite rare in the UK. By the time we had done this time was getting on, and we decided to pack in to avoid getting frozen.

Five volunteers returned again on Wednesday 21 March and planted the smaller young trees - 8 each of Oak, Broad Leaved Lime and Black Poplar. Although there were more of them they were easier to plant than the Service Trees - they only needed a simple "T cut" rather than a large hole for the roots.

So that completed our Wapley planting programme for the winter - 100 tree in all that will provide the replacement high canopy when ash dieback disease has eventually taken its toll.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Lilliput Park - April work mornings

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

The April work mornings will be on Tue 3rd and Sat 28th. 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.

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

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Quiz Night Live! - Friday 13 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, 7.30pm.

Saturday, March 03, 2018

Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve Workday - Saturday 17 March

We shall be undertaking more tree planting that will help to enhance the biodiversity of this precious nature reserve and doing a spring clean too. Please wear stout footwear.

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