Calendar of Events - March 2009 to June 2009
It is a good idea to contact the organizer or task leader of the events before attending so that
we can cater for numbers and arrange lifts if needed.
All telephone numbers are Basingstoke area (01256) unless the code is given -
you should also be able to contact the leader during the 2 days leading up to the task
on the leader's mobile phone (the number is in the newsletter).
Meet at 10am at the project site or at the toolshed at 9.30, unless other times are given.
The numbers are OS grid references of the meet up point for the projects.
Some of the sites are difficult to find, so if it's your first visit to a site,
we'd recommend meeting us at the toolshed and then following the leader
(who should know where he/she is going!) to the site.
Details in red are changes from the programme published in the newsletter.
Details of the programme until June 2009 are below.
We're coming to the end of another winter's work. The coppicing programme at Pamber Forest has progressed very well,
but there's still room for another couple of tasks in March before the season finishes.
We also have time to squeeze in a couple of scrub bashing tasks before the ground flora really gets going.
Once spring has fully sprung, there's plenty of fencing work to get your teeth into - at Pamber, Foxlease Meadow
and Ron Ward's Meadow.
On the social side we have a cinema trip, a food evening and trips to the pub to look forward to.
There's also a good list of natural-history events including a nature walk, a nightjar evening and a downland site-visit.
So, hopefully there's something for all tastes. Roll on spring.
All the details are below ...
The tables below give a quick overview of when events are happening - click on the month
name in a table's header to jump to details of events happening during that month,
or click on the date to jump straight to details of that event.
Hover your mouse over the 
icon to get brief pop-up info on the event.
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| Colour key : | Social | project | Meeting |
| February 2009 | |||
| project | Sun 8th | Noar Hill | Scrub Bash |
|---|---|---|---|
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Close to Gilbert White's Selbourne, the disused old lime quarries of Noar Hill have
become one of the finest chalk grassland sites in the county.
In spring and summer the humps and hollows are covered in wildflowers and alive with insects.
Invasion by scrub is a continual threat, and despite the renewed presence of grazing this still requires
the efforts of volunteers to keep under control.
We will be joining up with the local HWT group to make as big a dent as possible.
Meet at the entrance track close to Charity Farm (SU 737 322). Contact : on 420818. |
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| meeting | Thu 12th | Red Lion Pub | Committee meeting |
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Committee meeting to be held at the Red Lion, Mortimer West End, starting at 8pm. All are welcome.
Contact : on 01189 700155 for more details. |
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| project | Sun 15th | Pamber Forest | Coppicing |
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Pamber Forest is one of Hampshire Wildlife Trust's premier reserves in North Hampshire.
Consisting of 200Ha of ancient coppice woodland, with areas of heathland, wood pasture and flower-rich glades,
it has always been known for its diverse insect populations.
Since the decline of commercial coppicing in the mid-20th century these populations have been under threat.
A major part of the management of Pamber Forest relates to restoration of coppicing in key areas to recreate
a mosaic of habitats with differing degrees of sunlight reaching the forest floor.
Depending on the progress of the current season's work, which started in September,
we may be working in one of a number of locations.
Please contact the Warden, Graham Dennis (0118 9700155), or the task leader, to find out the meeting place for each task. Contact : on 01635 49304. |
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| social | Sat 21st | Dave's House | Food evening |
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Following on from the success of the last event back in September, the theme for our next Food Evening, to be held at Dave's house,
is to be 'Oriental'.
So, whether your favorite is Chinese or Korean, Thai or Indonesian, or anywhere in between,
you should find something that you can bring along. Starts at 7pm.
Contact : on 420818 for more details and to arrange a suitable contribution to take. |
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| March 2009 | |||
| project | Sun 1st | Pamber Forest | Coppicing |
|
The Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve of Pamber Forest is one of the premier sites for nature in our area.
Its 200Ha consist largely of ancient coppice woodland, but, with patches of heathland, wood pasture and flower-rich glades,
it has long been known for its wildlife.
Many, such as butterflies, were sustained by a shifting cycle of changing habitats, but following the end of
commercial coppicing in the mid-20th century, these populations started to decline.
So, the restoration of coppicing is a major part of the management of Pamber Forest, recreating a
mosaic of habitiats with differing degrees of sunlight reaching the forest floor.
Typically, we work on a number of locations throughout the winter.
Please contact the Warden, Graham Dennis (0118 9700155), or the task leader, to find out the meeting place for each task. Contact : on 01635 49304. |
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| project | Sun 8th | Noar Hill | Scrub Bashing |
|
Having been thwarted by the snow last month, we will be heading back to this disused ancient
lime quarry near Selbourne to help push back on the scrub that would otherwise gradually take over the chalk grassland.
Later in the year, this Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve will be smothered in wildflowers and humming with insects as
a result of such effort, now aided by the establishment of grazing by cattle.
In order to make a big impact, we will be joining up with the local HWT group.
Meet at the entrance track close to Charity Farm (SU 737 322). Contact : on 420818. |
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| social | Mon 16th | Basingstoke | Cinema Trip |
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BCV is having a trip to the Odeon cinema at Basingstoke Leisure Park.
Meet at the Spruce Goose at 7.30.
Film to be decided on the night.
Contact : on 420818. |
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| project | Sun 22nd | Pamber Forest | Coppicing |
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The Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve of Pamber Forest is one of the premier sites for nature in our area.
Its 200Ha consist largely of ancient coppice woodland, but, with patches of heathland, wood pasture and flower-rich glades,
it has long been known for its wildlife.
Many, such as butterflies, were sustained by a shifting cycle of changing habitats, but following the end of
commercial coppicing in the mid-20th century, these populations started to decline.
So, the restoration of coppicing is a major part of the management of Pamber Forest, recreating a
mosaic of habitiats with differing degrees of sunlight reaching the forest floor.
Typically, we work on a number of locations throughout the winter.
This will be the last coppicing task this winter. Please contact the Warden, Graham Dennis (0118 9700155), or the task leader, to find out the meeting place for each task. Contact : on 01635 49304. |
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| project | Sun 29th | Bartley Heath | Scrub Clearance |
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This moist heathland site on the outskirts of Hook is home to a range of specialised plants,
as well as butterflies and dragonflies.
It is prevented from being overgrown by woodland by the grazing of ponies, plus the efforts of volunteers.
We will be joining the local Hampshire Wildlife Trust group in tackling one of the remaining areas of birch scrub.
Meet at the main carpark (SU 727 534). Contact : on 07771 805000. |
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| April 2009 | |||
| social | Sat 4th | Mike's House | Food Evening |
|
Following on from the success of the last event back in February,
the theme for our next Food Evening is to be 'spicy foods'.
Please note, this doesn't just mean loads of chillies, but could be any combination of spices - be creative!
Gather at Mike's house at 6:30.
Please contact on 01635 268482 to let him know you are coming and what dish you will be bringing. |
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| project | Sun 19th | Pamber Forest | Fencing |
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The Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve of Pamber Forest is one of the premier sites for nature in our area.
Its 200Ha consist largely of ancient coppice woodland, but, with patches of heathland, wood pasture and flower-rich glades,
it has long been known for its wildlife.
All our good work coppicing earlier in the year will be to no avail if deer are not prevented from grazing the new coppice shoots. Today and on following Sundays we will be erecting 6ft high deer fencing around one or other of the plots coppiced during the winter. Please contact the Warden, Graham Dennis (0118 9700155), or the task leader, to find out the meeting place. Contact : on 01189 700702. |
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| social | Sun 19th | Calleva Arms | Pub after task |
| Join us for a few refreshments and social get together at the Calleva Arms after today's task at Pamber Forest. All welcome even if you haven't been on task! Those who have been on the task will be rolling up between 4 and 5pm. | |||
| meeting | Tue 21st | Mike's House | Committee Meeting |
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Committee meeting to be held at Mike's house, starting at 8pm. All are welcome.
Please contact on 01635 268482. |
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| project | Sun 26th | Foxlease Meadow | Fence Repair |
|
Foxlease Meadow Hampshire Wildlife Trust Reserve is a network of damp grasslands near Fleet, not far from Ancells Farm.
As elsewhere, part of the long-term plan for this site is to establish grazing to hold back scrub
growth and improve the diversity of the grassland.
Today we will be helping to repair some of the fencing at a new area, called Foxlease North.
Phone the leader the week before for details of the meeting point. Contact : on 01635 268482. |
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| May 2009 | |||
| social | Sun 3rd | Bartley and Greywell | Nature Walk |
|
Dave Jewsbury will be leading a nature walk around Bartley Heath, North Warnborough and Greywell.
The walk will include lunch at a local pub.
We're making an early start (meet at 9am) to allow for stops to look at items of wildlife interest.
Contact : on 01635 268482 for details. |
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| project | Sun 10th | Pamber Forest | Fencing |
|
The Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve of Pamber Forest is one of the premier sites for nature in our area.
Its 200Ha consist largely of ancient coppice woodland, but, with patches of heathland, wood pasture and flower-rich glades,
it has long been known for its wildlife.
All our good work coppicing earlier in the year will be to no avail if deer are not prevented from grazing the new coppice shoots. Today we will be continuing the erection of 6ft high deer fencing around one or other of the plots coppiced during the winter. Please contact the task leader, to find out the meeting place. Contact : on 01189 700155. |
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| social | Sat 30th | Silchester | Nightjars and Bats |
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Meet at the Calleva Arms for some refreshments, followed by a walk led by Graham Dennis to see the Nightjars
and bats on Silchester Common.
Following last summer's excellent results we will be leaving the pub earlier than in previous years - around 9pm.
Contact : on 420818 for details. |
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| project | Sun 31st | Pamber Forest | Fencing |
|
The Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve of Pamber Forest is one of the premier sites for nature in our area.
Its 200Ha consist largely of ancient coppice woodland, but, with patches of heathland, wood pasture and flower-rich glades,
it has long been known for its wildlife.
All our good work coppicing earlier in the year will be to no avail if deer are not prevented from grazing the new coppice shoots. Today we will be continuing the erection of 6ft high deer fencing around one or other of the plots coppiced during the winter. Please contact the Warden, Graham Dennis (01189 700155), or the task leader, to find out the meeting place. Contact : on 01635 268482. |
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| June 2009 | |||
| project | Sun 14th | Ron Ward's Meadow | Fence Removal |
|
Just for a change, today we will be removing some fencing on the boundary of this traditionally-run hay meadow in Tadley,
now that the hedge-laying carried out over recent years has created a stock-proof barrier for the cattle
that graze the site later in the year.
This should also be a good opportunity to see the display of wildflowers before the hay is cut.
Contact : on 420818. |
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| meeting | Wed 17th | Red Lion Pub | Committee Meeting |
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Committee meeting to be held at the Red Lion in Mortimer West End, starting at 8pm. All are welcome.
Please contact on 420818 if you need a lift from Basingstoke. |
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| social | Sun 21st | Old Winchester Hill | Site Visit |
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Mike will be leading a site visit to Old Winchester Hill.
This ancient hill-fort and National Nature Reserve has superb chalk grassland with fabulous wildflowers.
A walk around the reserve will be followed by picnic lunch.
The aim will be to leave from Basingstoke at 10.15 am.
Alternatively, meet in the main car park at Old Winchester Hill (Grid ref SU 648 209) at 11.00 am.
Contact : on 420818 for further details. |
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| project | Sun 28th | Pamber Forest | Fencing |
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Due to some unforeseen circumstances, it's mid June and we are yet to complete the deer fencing
around the largest of last winter's coppice blocks.
In July the deer damage will start getting serious and so we would like it finished by then.
Consequently we have decided to move BCV from Headley as shock troops to finish the job off. It will just need about 20 posts knocking in and the wire hanging. The new meeting point for the task is the Honeymill Bridge Entrance off the A340. It is a very small track just before entering the Tadley 30 mph limit, if coming from Basingstoke. There is plenty of hard-standing inside the Forest to park. Contact : on 01635 49304. |
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| July 2009 | |||
| Full details of events from July 2009 onwards will be published towards the end of June. | |||