Volunteering

On Wednesday, I was lucky enough to be able to join our National Trust volunteers on Plaitford Common in the northern commons of the New Forest.

The weather could not have been better and the commons looked stunning:

The task for the day was clearing gorse that had got way too spindly and old, which doesn't look great and isn't as good for wildlife as the new, fresh growth. Certainly, one of the New Forest spider's agreed with us and had weaved this fairly massive web on a newer bush:

Once cut, we burned the gorse and gathered round the fire for the obligatory cuppa:

Our ability to carry out this work depends on our volunteers, who are wonderful and turn out in numbers to help cut, clear and burn. I was amazed at just how much they got through.

Anyway, good fun was had by all - I was just a little gutted that I couldn't stay for the afternoon. Next time, I promise!