2025 was a very busy year for the Green and Grounds Team of adults, Duke of Edinburgh and corporate volunteers. We worked on all of our towpaths and footpaths, open spaces and large sites at Darnford Moors, Fosseway Heath, Muckley Corner and Summerhill.
We have to cut down a lot of vegetation, but that creates an issue of what to do with it. Clearing and removing vast quantities from site is not practical so we have to find ecologically friendly solutions.
Thin branches are taken to either Bull Wood at Darnford Moors Ecology Park or Darnford Park to make natural fencing along the footpaths.
Likewise, any bark and timber chippings produced from the managed felling of dead trees and those that are in the way of the path of the canal, are taken to those sites and laid as pathways. Very large branches which cannot be used for the above, are often cut and taken by our volunteers for log burners (following suitable drying time).
Along the many towpaths, cuttings from hedges are pushed to the sides and around the roots to provide some habitat for smaller creatures and as natural composting. This is seasonal work, as hedges are not cut whilst in flower or during nesting season.
The much larger grass and heath spaces initially have pathways cut through them, leaving large areas for wild flowers. During the autumn those areas are then cut completely. Since these spaces are a mixture of grass, bramble and weeds, we repeatedly mulch with our large all terrain mower. Using the mower means that small animals and birds can flee as we work, which often does not happen if a commercial frail was used.
This leaves us with the dreaded gorse. It’s a safe nesting place for some species of birds, which also eat the seeds, and the yellow flowers are attractive for pollinators. But it is invasive, the roots eat into the canal banks, and it’s a hazard to walkers as it grows and obstructs the footpaths.
The plants are full of oil and are highly flammable, which would make us very unpopular with the local fire service and local homeowners if a stretch caught fire, either due to summer heat or vandalism. So a certain amount is cut back each year, in a managed fashion, and, as it doesn’t rot or compost, is disposed of with controlled bonfires.
Although this sounds very destructive, this winter we are planting out a number of trees, hedge whips and shrubs along our boundaries. These have been nurtured in our two nurseries. There are also plans for bug hotels at some sites using cut vegetation and waste wooden pallets.
Thank you to all volunteers who turned out last year, in all weathers. The team worked right up to Christmas….
… and in the snow!
I’m looking forward to your continued support in 2026.
Philip Skelton, Green and Grounds Team Leader
This blog first appeared in Cut Both Ways, our members’ magazine.
