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Ham Common was grazed until the 19th Century, since when it has reverted to mixed woodland of oak, ash, silver birch etc.
Our task was to clear scrub, including invasive snowberry, from around a small pond to encourage the growth of wetland plants in the pond, and ground flora on the banks, and to improve public access to the area.
The Tower House boys didn't need much encouragement to get to work with loppers clearing away brambles from around the pond, while another group of volunteers took on the snowberry (see the separate page for more details about this species http://www.etrutvolunteering.blogspot.com/p/snowberry-symphoricarpos-albus.html). With little information about how to effectively manually remove snowberry, we took a two pronged approach of digging and pruning. Being such a deep-rooted plant, it is inevitable that there will be enough re-growth for the group to make a return visit.
Clear from self-seeded sycamore saplings and brambles, the pond is much more open and light and now provides a lovely area away from the hustle and bustle of Richmond Park.
New volunteers are always welcome to join us, usually on the last Saturday of the month. Recently, we've been joined by two young volunteers (and their parents) working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Volunteering with the Environment Trust is a great way to fulfill the volunteering requirement of the D of E, so please get in touch with chris.cockel@environmenttrust.co.uk and see this link for more information about the volunteering part of the award http://www.dofe.org/en/content/cms/doing-your-dofe/activities-sections/volunteering/
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| No flint hand axes this time, only a 19th Century apothecary's bottle, which almost found its way into the recycling. |
