Ashford - Volunteers Update

Ashford - Will Glasson

The new year started with a major change in the way we organised ourselves in the Ashford Area with the arrival of a new flat packed shipping container. This aimed to replace the previous sheep trailer with a large and secure power tool store. As part of this a number of the volunteers came to the lockup. Bringing their expertise and hard-working attitudes the container and new layout for the tool store was completed over 3 Fridays.

Our Ashford volunteers have been particularly busy at Conningbrook Country Park too. As part of the ongoing habitat work willow blocks are being coppiced to promote fresh growth. Akin to what the once common beavers would have affected (though we do prefer staying drier than they would). This creates dense, shrubby areas adjacent to the lake which is a favourite for nesting birds. By rotating the areas felled we ensure different ages and therefore structures of willow are present and often abutting one another. This really delivers a biodiversity punch into the country park for the flora and fauna which prefer the different stages of willow growth.