Work party in 2 halves - Sunday 4th February 2024

Part 1

It was dry enough,  if not actually sunny, for a few of us to tidy up the fallen tree. There was some question of why we were doing it as it wasn't our tree and the owner had said that they did want the wood. I suppose really it was because I wasn't sure how long that would take as it had been there for a month with no change and I didn't just want to leave it. We also wanted to clear the ditch of fallen debris and act as good neighbours in moving the logs, that had already been cut, to their side of the road.

 

We aren't able to use chainsaws, as a group, but we set to with with bow saws and between us put the branches in piles in the wood and the bigger stuff with the logs. 

We cleared small branches and twigs from the ditch but you really can't tell from this photo!

Part 2
 

The topic of flooding is never far from our conversation after several properties in the village were flooded in storm Babet in October 2023,especially as the rain continues to fall.  So when  Glenn offered to take us on a tour of the flood management strategies on the Helmingham Hall Estate, we jumped at the chance. Luckily as a small team today we were able to all fit in the Discovery so off we went.

The red deer gathering round us in anticipation of being fed, which they were which was all part of the trip.

Feeding the Soay sheep

On safari on the Helmingham parkland

Helmingham is upstream from Framsden on a tributary of the Deben. When people talk about the problem of flooding, which has become more prevalent in recent years as the climate changes, they often look at trying to get the water away as fast as possible as a solution, but there is a limit to how fast the water can travel to the sea and an immediate answer for one village might just pass the problem on to the next. 

Glenn has been working on an alternative  approach, slowing down the water so that it takes longer to reach the river and slowing the river itlself in zones where it doesn't put property at risk of flooding.  Here we have one example, a man-made beaver dam.

This is one of 2 lakes which have been dug as sort of holding areas for rainwater so that it doesn't flow straight into the river. 

Nice view of Helmingham Hall as we drove up the main drive.

Glenn showing us where there is a small pipe to reduce the flow of water into the river from this large lake, just upstream from Framsden  created after the floods of 1995 which was the last time properties were flooded in the village before the deluge of  October 2023

These 2 photos show the extent of the lake with the willows growing round the edge. 

It was a fascinating insight into all the work that has been done over many years  to as far as possible to prevent flooding. Glenn has be able to show the Environment Agency what has been achieved and indeed this has been copy and use similar strategies in Debenham. 

There was a lot of information so my apologies for the bits that I have no doubt forgotten, I hope that I have explained the main ideas. 

 

January 2024

 At the end of December and beginning of January,  we had a lot of rain and another named storm. The paths had running water and conditions really weren't suitable so the work party was cancelled.

During the storm on 2nd January a tree fell across the road from a neighbouring property. The road was cleared the next morning but this is how it remains blocking the ditch. 

Top of the tree in the woodland.

Not much damage in the woodland just this branch came down. 

Looking towards the glade in the wintry sun. 

December 2023

 

Icy leaves on the hazel arch.

We didn't have a work party in November, as is usual after the Halloween event. 

At the December work party, we raked leaves in the village hall garden, mostly to pick up the walnut leaves which if left on the ground would inhibit the growth of the grass. These were added to the compost heaps in the garden.

                      The main path - before.

And after raking. It looks worse but hopefully it will help the grass to grow.

A new dog bin has been installed by the Parish Council at the entrance to the wood.

The track in the frost.

Halloween 2023

 Despite the recent flooding of the village, we carried on with the annual pumpkin trail and gathering round the firepit in the woodland. Thanks to everyone who helped and came to the event. Here are some photos by Flossie and a few by me. 

There are more but I haven't managed to upload them. This part of the reason this is so late.

October 2023 - Work Party

Still green!

This is the central ditch being cut and raked in expectation of more rainfall. And a not very clear photo of the finished result. It does look better in real life. 
 

The previous hazel coppicing has grown back really well so we tackled some more in the glade, primarily to give the Baldwin apple tree a bit more light but we generated some marshmallow toasting sticks for Halloween and some long poles for future projects. 

Late yellow plums and one apple, we have not had any apples on the "new" trees before. 

September 2023 - Work Party

 I had every intention of holding a work party in August but the day before it poured all day and I just felt it would be better to cancel. Then I was away and it just didn't happen. The paths got mown and the plum bed cut as part of the churchyard tidy up so we are very grateful for their help, of course they are members of the woodland group too which helps!

This month we mowed the paths that need doing, including some in the churchyard as that grass hasn't stopped growing. We also cut and raked the summer grass area next to the main track and rescued the fruit bushes from the vegetation tangle.

Here's some photos,  by Flossie, of the fungi and fruit in the woodland. It's the first year that we have had lots of apples!