On Thursday 14 September, the Friends of Sharphill Wood welcomed a group of 12 staff from the local office of multinational software company IFS for a volunteering session in the wood.
The early rain eased off as half of the group set to clearing brambles and nettles from a section of the central path using grass hooks and shears. The other volunteers used saws, loppers and a tree popper to remove sycamores and Norway maples from another part of the wood. Some Wych elms were also coppiced.
Afterwards the two groups merged to help build dead hedges from the arisings, as well as saving a few poles for future path edging.
They worked very cheerfully and diligently all morning and into the afternoon, going the extra mile in helping with the task of getting tools up and down the dreaded hill. It was very satisfying to see a path which can now be used without the fear of nettle stings and bramble thorns and to have areas free of invasive trees where native plants can now thrive.
Grateful thanks to all from IFS who took part.
The Friends of Sharphill Wood run regular monthly work parties in order to maintain the footpaths, plant trees, remove non-native invasive species and undertake other conservation tasks. New volunteers are very welcome: for more details please go to the web site: https://sharphillwood.org.