It was not possible to have the session at Reading Golf Club on the 5th December as a competition was moved from Friday to Thursday. So at very short notice it was decided to start work on the Joyce Grove triangle in Nettlebed behind the bus stop. This was rather treacherous to reach as Elizabeth had not had time to have a reconnoitre and make clear a way in. By the end of the morning, being kept sustained by Diane’s delicious cakes, the first time she has joined us since her operation, we had worked hard sawing, lopping and dragging, and stacking, clearing a big glade in the central part. The Nettlebed Estate have had the trees felled in this area to try to recreate the area as it was about 40 to 50 years ago. Apparently there used to be a patch of heather in the middle and it is hoped that by removing the felled trees, thus keeping the soil more impoverished, the heather may have a chance to regenerate as seeds should still be in the soil. There is plenty of work here to keep us all occupied for some time.
Susan, 5/12/2013
