Calendar of Events - October 2008 to February 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 February 2009 are below. Winter is once more just round the corner, so the coppicing programme is now well underway as we get stuck into the high-season of conservation.
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 info icon to get brief pop-up info on the event.

October 2008
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 icon 17 18
19 icon 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 icon 27 28 29 30 31
November 2008
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 icon
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 icon 17 18 19 20 21 22 icon
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 icon
December 2008
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 icon 8 9 10 11 icon 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 icon
21 icon 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
January 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
4 icon 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 icon 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 icon 26 27 28 29 30 31
February 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 icon 9 10 11 12 icon 13 14
15 icon 16 17 18 19 20 21 icon
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
March 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 icon 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
Colour key : Social project Meeting
October 2008
meeting Thu 16th Red Lion Meeting
All welcome, starts around 8pm at the Red Lion in Mortimer West End. We'll be planning the winter's programme of events.
Contact : on 420818 if you need transport from Basingstoke.
project Sun 19th Foxlease Meadow Tree Feeling
This is a new site for BCV! Foxlease is an important wet grassland with plants such as heath-spotted orchid, devil's-bit scabious and Sneezewort. These plants do not thrive under the shade and litter from trees, and so BCV will be going and cutting some down (the trees that is, not the other things). The project starts at 10.30 am, and the meeting point is the first entrance to the reserve off Bramshott Lane (SU 832 560). There is parking at Bramshott Barns car park (post code GU51 2SF).
Contact : on 420818.
project Sun 26th Pamber Forest Coppicing
This is a continuation of the coppicing started in September...
With the end of Summer, the birds have finished breeding and flowering is over and coppicing starts again. The stems of hazel and other trees are cut down to the ground and allowed to grow back over the following decade. Each stage of growth provides different ecological niches for wildlife associated with this ancient woodland. From warblers to beetles, most of the life of the Forest depends in some way on the regular cutting cycle.
Phone leader or Graham Dennis for details of the meeting point.
Contact : on 474531.
November 2008
social Sat 8th Salisbury Plain Great Bustards visit
BCV have been offered a rare opportunity to view these impressive birds in the current programme to reintroduce Great Bustards to Britain on Salisbury Plain. Places are limited and the event has already been publicised, but one or two spaces may still be open. The plan is to meet at Dave's house in time to leave at 10.30am sharing just two cars if possible. This is because we have a timed slot for our visit and need to ensure no-one gets lost and is late.
Contact : on 420818 for availabilty and further details.
project Sun 16th Pamber Forest Coppicing
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.
social Sat 22nd Mike's House Games evening
With the nights closing in, it is time for the return of the Games Evening. Bring any old (or new) favourites you have to Mike's house for an evening of fun!
Contact : on 01635 268482 for more details.
project Sun 30th Bartley Heath Coppicing
Situated between Hook and the M3, the efforts of volunteers and grazing by ponies have rescued this damp heathland site from becoming completely overgrown by woodland. This has allowed a range of plants, butterflies and dragonflies to recover their numbers. In some areas, additional clearance by volunteers is required to hold back the re-invasion of birch. We will be joining the local Hampshire Wildlife Trust group in tackling one of these areas.
Contact : on 420818.
December 2008
project Sun 7th Ancell's Farm Tree felling
Ancell's Farm is one of a group of Hampshire Wildlife Trust sites near Fleet that have been saved from development. It is a very wet heathland, with a good range of the plants of acid bogs and a similarly large array of associated insects, including some scarce species of dragonfly. Although grazing has been reinstated, which will improve the quality of the vegetation, there are large areas of scrub regrowth still needing to be cleared. Today, we will be helping to remove some moderate-size birch trees.
Meet at the reserve entrance off Ancells Road (SU 824 557). Additional parking can be found at Ancells Community Centre nearly opposite on Farm Drive.
Contact : on 01635 268482.
meeting Thu 11th Dave's House Committee meeting
Committee meeting time again, starting at 8pm at Dave's house. As ever, everyone is welcome.
Contact : on 420818 for more details.
social Sat 20th Elizabeth's House Christmas Meal
This year our festive celebration is to be held at Elizabeth's house. For those not familiar with the format, the idea is that everyone contributes some part of the meal, which means that a modest amount of prior organisation is required to ensure success. We hope to start eating soon after 6pm.
Please contact Elizabeth to let her know you intend to come and to discuss what food you will be bringing.
Contact : for more details.
project Sun 21st Pamber Forest Tree clearance
As is now traditional, our last pre-Christmas task is at Pamber Forest. The small pine trees that are re-invading an area of restored heathland make handy (and eco-friendly!) last minute Christmas trees should you need one. Oh, and there's also a whole load of birch that needs to be bashed as well (modern minimalist Xmas trees, anyone?). Plenty of exercise to work off the effects of last night's Christmas meal!
Meet at Burney Bit (SU 618 612).
Contact : on 01189 700155.
January 2009
social Sun 4th Countryside! Walk
We will be taking the opportunity on the first weekend of the New Year to throw off the lethargy of the Christmas break with a short walk in the local area. This will be a maximum of 5 or 6 miles, to be followed by lunch at a nearby pub.
Contact : on 01635 268482 for more details.
project Sun 25th Fleet Pond Pond-edge Clearance
As North Hampshire's largest area of open water, Fleet Pond provides a welcome change of working environment for BCV. Fleet Pond Society have a massive task on their hands in conserving this site for wildlife and they welcome any help we can provide. Today we will be clearing scrub regrowth from one of the marshes at the southern pond edge. This will include some brushcutting to control Bog Myrtle.
Meeting point is the Countryside Workshop (The end of Old Pump House Close off Kenilworth Road - SU 820547).
Contact : on 01635 268482.
project Sun 18th Pamber Forest Coppicing
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 07771 805000.
February 2009
project Sun 8th Noar Hill Scrub Bash
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.
meeting Thu 12th Red Lion Pub Committee meeting
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.
project Sun 15th Pamber Forest Coppicing
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.
social Sat 21st Dave's House Food evening
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.
March 2009
Full details of events from March 2009 onwards will be published towards the end of February.