Task Reports, July - December 2000

JULY

Sunday 9th

Houndsden Spinney (8)

For this task we revisited Houndsden Spinney where we were on the 16th April this year. Our mission today, which we chose to accept, was to find the end of the original boardwalk and extend it in the other direction, back towards the entrance to the spinney. And we did have to find it.
On entering the spinney the footpath had gone to be replaced by Japanese Knotweed and other plantlife. We needed to find the far end of the boardwalk and work our way backward towards the entrance from there. Hence, much of the beginning of the task was clearing the area in which the footpath used to run, until it became overgrown. Hopefully now that the footpath is now a boardwalk, it should not get overgrown so easily. Mucking in today (and it was mucky, because unusually it started to rain) were 8 volunteers.

Robin Herbert

Sunday 23rd

Trent Park (4)

Because of holidays and other commitments, our regular ECV workforce was reduced to 4 when we visited the Nature Trail woodland in Trent Country Park on 23rd July.
However, our shortage of numbers did not prevent us from attaching a further 120 meters of stock fencing to the existing post and rail fence, thereby completing the whole of the University side down to the lower 5-bar gate. We also found time to replace two rails had been vandalised.
There now remains some 200 meters of post and rail and around 300 meters of stock fencing to complete; who knows the end of the year could see the end of this mammoth fencing project!

Bob Philips

AUGUST

Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th

Steam & Country Show

Numbers seemed to be down due to the later opening of the show (12.00 as opposed to 10.00 in previous years) with people not venturing out before lunch. Just over £100 was raised through the sale of plants and books.

Sunday 20th

Whitewebbs Park (6)

Since no railway sleepers were available for use in the bridge building, there was a change from the task advised in the programme. The replacement tasks were centred on pond clearance and footpath improvement.
The railed pond, which ECV regularly works on, was getting overgrown both in and out of the water. An area of encroaching scrub was cleared from around the pond and a quantity of reed mace and other vegetation was hand pulled from the pond.
The footpath improvement mainly consisted of log edging to delineate the width of the paths. A number of suitably sized logs from tree work in the park were selected and held in position by pre-prepared or extemporised stakes.
Repairs were also made to two small sleeper bridges. Under one of these a Great crested newt was found dozing. The railed pond is one of the few breeding sites in the area for this rare amphibian, so the find was a reminder that ECV’s work does reap practical benefits.
Six volunteers including one new member attended the task.

Steve Mathieson

SEPTEMBER

Sunday 3rd

Trent Park Nature Trail

With rails in short supply, we concentrated on sycamore removal, leaving the fencing for another day.

Bob Phillips

Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th

Town Show

Due to the fuel shortage there was plenty of room, but takings were disappointing for the same reason.

OCTOBER

Sunday 1st

Trent Park – Pond clearance (7)

Visitors to Trent Park may well be unaware of the existence of a pond immediately inside the Cockfosters Road entrance. Indeed, concealed from all sides by a tangled mass of willow, bramble and other vegetation, lies a surprisingly large and attractive stretch of water over which a resident flotilla of mallard ducks appears to have exclusive rights.
Enfield Conservation Volunteers first carried out work on this pond back in 1991, coppicing trees and clearing bramble at the southern end in order to let in sunlight for the benefit of both flora and fauna. On Sunday, 1st October 2000, seven of us returned to continue the good work, cutting down sycamore and bramble at the southern end and also dragging out a number of large branches and accumulated driftwood.
It was an enjoyable day and well worthwhile day but we must clearly ensure that we do not leave it for another 9 years before our next visit.

Bob Phillips

Sunday 15th

Hillyfields (7)

A return visit to this ongoing project. The site, a listed SSSI, is home to colonies of Yellow Meadow Ants, Lasius flavus. The ant colonies live in earth mounds that they create themselves. Like most ants they like the honeydew secreted by aphids. The Yellow Meadow Ants however collect aphid eggs, over-winter them in their mounds and then in spring put newly hatched young aphids out to graze to create more honeydew. These ants need undisturbed ground with plenty of sunlight. Their presence is a good indicator of ancient meadowland. Our task was to stop Silver Birch and Oak encroachment and trim back some bordering shrubs. Seven members set about the task in hand to cut back any problem plants without actually pulling any roots out. The ants’ special light requirements mean this site will always need continuing attention that ECV will hopefully be able to give.

John Mayo

Sunday 29th

Trent Park Nature Trail (5)

On one of the rare fine days this month, 5 volunteers erected a further 35 metres of perimeter fencing around the Nature Trail. Although this was a normal task for the group, we were also participating as part of the national Community Service Volunteers 5th “Make a Difference Day” which hoped to have 25000 people volunteering across the country.

Judy Mayo

NOVEMBER

Sunday 12th

Whitewebbs (5)

Elm clearance

Sunday 26th

Whitewebbs (4)

Clearance and stump removal

DECEMBER

Sunday 10th

Whitewebbs

Cancelled due to inclement weather

Sunday 17th

Social Walk

A pleasant walk was had by all, looking at past tasks in the area in and around Trent Park, stopping off for refreshments at the cafeteria at Cockfosters car park.