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    WoodChips Blog

Lamp-post-traumatic loss disorder

10/2/2021

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Something is missing in the world of Narnia. Or at least in the Banstead Wood Narnia Trail, where one of the iconic wood sculptures, Lucy and the Lamp-post, is no longer to be seen near Holly Lane car park.

​It may have been the victim of the weather or a merciful chain saw, or perhaps darker forces are at work. In a case of life spookily imitating art, in the last days of Narnia the magical Lamp-post disappeared in Lantern Waste. This can now be revealed as the Council's compound at Park Farm, where the sculpture  has re-appeared.  But where's Lucy? Suspicion must fall on the evil Ice Queen or a disgruntled dog owner. The Lamp-post was always too high off the ground.

Graham Kenward
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All that remains of the Lamp-post at Holly Lane.
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The Lamp-post with Lucy in better days.
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Resting place at Park Farm. Was the Ice Queen (right) responsible?
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Is that a knowing look?.
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Another character in the Wood: an ancient oak surviving its winter enchantment. Find it at what3words: abode.branch.soccer.
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The Lagoon in lockdown

10/2/2021

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In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone.


The old carol provides the perfect description of the winter weather that has solidified the Lagoon, with a dusting of snow brightening the bare chalk sides.
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​After the high levels caused by exceptional winter rain, the water has receded to just over knee deep, revealing the surrounding path, the snow bearing no tracks except my own. The ice surface is a tad slushy: ice dancing not recommended.

​A large part of the Bulrush clump was removed last autumn but new shoots have already started to appear closer to the water's edge. Along with the overgrown shallow end and the surrounding wildflower area, there'll be plenty to keep us busy when the lockdown and the weather lifts!

Graham Kenward
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The Bulrushes won't be an island for long, with new growth poking through the ice.
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Lagoon from the shallow end. A little clearance work needed!
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Tree planting in the Knoll

17/12/2020

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The WoodChips today finished the current tree planting programme in the Knoll. Unfortunately, due to illness, we were without our leader (get well soon, Andy), but we managed to finish planting 36 trees across the site before we ended our task, the last one before Christmas. There are 15 new trees (and a rainbow) in the pic above.

As on previous tasks, we formed two teams, one for planting and the other to continue the clearance and burning of more scrub from the site. Big thanks to everyone who helped with both tasks over the last few weeks. And also to the Downlands Trust, for their sponsorship of the trees and planting accessories.

The 36 new trees now planted and protected in the Knoll include Walnut (cell- and pot-grown), Hazel, Crab Apple and a Rowan. We also added protection to some existing young trees, to save them from the attentions of the local wildlife.
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Graham Kenward
Planting a Walnut tree.
Pegging down the mulch mat.
For each planting, the turf and any roots are removed and replaced by a bio-degradable mat which suppresses weeds and helps to retain moisture in the first period of growth.
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A couple of ancient residents of the Knoll. Even older than the volunteers!
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Second best time to plant trees

11/12/2020

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According to the familiar saying, the best time to plant trees was 25 years ago: the second best time is now. After years of clearing scrub and old rotten trees from the Knoll, we have begun a programme of new tree planting, kindly supported by a grant from the Downlands Trust.

This area near the Ramblers Rest has also been known as the Nuttery and still has some ancient Walnut specimens, among other fruiting trees. The scrub clearance not only saved the old trees but has resulted in a brilliant resurgence of dormant wildflowers throughout the site.

WoodChip activities are all about teamwork. While some of our volunteers worked on clearing and burning the arisings from our autumn tasks, others began to plant a mix of Walnut and Hazel in the open spaces across the site.

​All the young saplings will be protected by tree guards, stakes and mulch mats for their first years of life. We reckoned this would deter most creatures looking for an easy snack, but this didn't allow for the appetite of our canine colleague Treacle (see pics).
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Brian with the first new Walnut planting.
Keeping warm while clearing scrub.
Tree planting accessories: stakes, mats, guards, volunteers.
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Tuesday 27 October

26/10/2020

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On Tuesday we will, weather permitting, continue with the coppicing at Banstead Wood. Meet at the Park Farm car park at 10:00hrs. As usual, if the weather is as bad as forecast, I will cancel the task by email before 09:00hrs on the day.
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Ladybird special

4/10/2020

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Visit the 'Featured Creatures' page of our website www.thewoodchips.org for a selection of the Ladybirds from the site. The survey for more Ladybird species will continue through next year and I am looking for someone to assist in finding them .... anyone interested?
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Tuesday 22 September

21/9/2020

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On Tuesday we will continue with the cut/rake/remove at The Knoll. 
Meet at the Ramblers Rest car park at 10:00hrs.
​See you there.
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Lagoon life flourishes despite the storms

25/8/2020

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The Lagoon has been topped up by the increasingly wet weather and on Sunday was around 60cm (two feet) deep in much of the water area. The force of the water gushing from the drain knocked over some of the Bulrushes (see pic) and the flushed sediment is building up, creating a shallow mudbank at this end of the pool.
The plants on the Lagoon meadow continue to flourish – although many are producing berries or seed 
– and there's even a clump of Kidney Vetch still in flower.
Veronica Beccabunga may sound like an Italian politician's playmate, but is better known as the perfectly respectable Brook Lime, a wildlife-friendly marsh lover now making a home near the Bulrush end.

While engaged in the soothing, if impossible, task of scooping up duckweed, it became clear that we will need to reduce the clump of Bulrush before next year, together with a little selective weeding along the banks, particularly the Buddleia that is putting down its long roots in several places.
Graham Kenward
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Female Speckled Bush Cricket
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Water cannon: the storm drain's effect on the Bulrushes
Brook Lime (Veronica beccabunga) near Bulrushes
Kidney Vetch
Scentless Mayweed
Great Willowherb
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Evening Primrose

Easily confused – both highly poisonous
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Black Bryony
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Woody Nightshade
Pics by Graham Kenward. Click on pics to enlarge.
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    Community Woodlands Award


    ​Who are we?

    We are a self-funded group of volunteers looking after our local countryside in Banstead Wood and Chipstead Valley. We  extend a warm welcome to those  who would like to help maintain this important green space for the benefit of everyone. Here you will find details of WoodChips weekly tasks and activities. Check back soon  to see what we're up to!

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  • Home
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