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February 2012

Hollybank Woods, Emsworth, Hampshire.

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Sunday 19th February 2012. Work Party. Details >>>

The work party will finish at approx 11.45am for coffee, tea and buscuits. Plenty of tasks in the new Jubilee Plantation for all the family to enjoy.

Thank you to all the volunteers who turned out on Sunday 22nd January Work Party..

Path clearing

Fire track clearing and widening. Western woodland.
Status: Ongoing.

Clearing along the sides of main tracks and fire breaks through Hollybank Woods will restart in January 2012. Please be aware of power cutting tools in use. Hazzard signs are placed on the approach to the paths that are being worked on.

As bracken alongside the main tracks dries and turns golden brown, keep a special eye out for lizards on warmer days as they hunt for insects. Well worth slowing your pace down to a gentle crawl making as little noise as possible. You may be lucky enough to see these elusive reptiles.

(PHOTOS: AB) Common Lizard. Though not as common to see as the name suggests.

Cyclists using Hollybank Woods:

With the recent publication of a new leaflet by HBC for cycle routes in the borough, there has been an increase in groups of bikes using the main fire track (permitted bridleway central to eastern woodland).

Cyclists, please be aware that horse riders and walkers may not see, or even hear, you coming especially if you are travelling at speed.

Please use caution and reduce your speed when approaching horse riders and walkers from behind or in front. Several incidents have already been reported where horses have been distressed by groups of bikes passing at speed.

Please respect other users of the woodland, horse riders, walkers and dog walkers should not have to take avoiding action to move out of the way, or to be confronted by fast moving bikes.

At dusk, dawn and late at night remember to use extra caution, reduce your speed, and always have your lights (front and back) switched on. Some dog walkers have reported that they, and their dogs, have had near escapes from cyclists travelling at speed during these hours.

Also be aware that Hollybank Woods is a conservation area. Surveying of wildlife, and habitat, takes place at night as well as during the day. Pay attention to signs warning of obstructions (such as cables and sensitive technical equipment) that may be in use alongside the permitted bridleways at night during the months of (but not limited to) April, May, June, July, August, September and October.

And a thankyou!
Thankyou to the majority of cyclists using Hollybank Woods who do slow down to a slow walking pace allowing horses and walkers to pass, and on narrow sections of the permitted bridleways dismount until the track or path widens out and they have a clear view of what is ahead.

Hollybank Woods Open Day and May Arts Festival.
May 2011.

Thank you to the 300 plus visitors who attended Hollybank Woods Open day and Arts Festival in May. A bright sunny day and warm weather provided a glorious afternoon in Hollybank Woods main Hollybank Lodge clearing.

A full report with pictures will be on the blog later this week.

A new sculpture trail has been set up in Hollybank Woods with wood carvings based on artworks produced by local schools and community groups.

Criminal damage:
Sadly, especially for the school children that put a lot of time and effort into producing the artworks for the sculptures to be carved, two of these have been destroyed, including the carving of the Glenwood School crest which was the school children's first request for a lasting, and personal connection, with the woodland that they enjoy visiting on class nature days.

Distressing for all involved and a sad reflection on the individuals who have no regard for either the children or the young people, community groups and artists who put many months into helping create an arts trail.

Crime prevention measures.

Following cut timber theft from the forestry area, destruction of woodland infrastructure and now criminal damage to wood carvings on the arts trail the police recommended 24/7 cctv and infra red camera traps to protect strategic areas and infrastructure of the woodland, including sculptures, sign boards and cut timber which is used for habitat regeneration and infrastructure projects.

This is now in operation throughout Hollybank Woods as is increased police (uniformed and plain clothed) and warden patrols at all times of the day and night.

Please note that well ordered and non anti social individuals and groups of all ages enjoying the woodland will not be aware of the increased crime prevention measures, and are not targeted or disturbed by the police.

Hollybank Woods is a place to enjoy the tranquility and peace that an ancient woodland provides, watching wildlife, walking and horse riding.

Do not light camp fires in the woods:

Fires are not permitted in Hollybank Woods, and any fire that is set will be extinguished by the Fire Services. This is not a policy resulting from any attempt to spoil anyone's fun, but a legal requirement that Hollybank Woods has to prevent fires being set.

Open camp fires in Hollybank Woods create a potential threat to the forestry operation, wildlife habitat and resident species, some of which are internationally rare and protected by the European Court.

The only fires in Hollybank Woods are those directly connected to our forestry operations during winter months. The public are not permitted to light fires in Hollybank Woods at any time.

Fire prevention in Hollybank Woods.

(PHOTO: AB)

Vigilent fire watching during dry months and a network of volunteer fire wardens has prevented major fires for over 8 years. As always we are greatly appreciative of both Emsworth and Havant fire crews who always turn out promptly to deal with any fire in the woodland.

(PHOTO: AB) Fire brigade landrover deep in the woodland damping down by a fire site.

Late Summer in the woodland.

A good year for Shield bugs, especially on sunny days when the sharp light revealed such intricate detailed markings.
(PHOTO: AB)

White Admiral butterfly.
(PHOTO: AB)

Hollybank News
(also check out the blog for latest reports).

Hollybank Woods Geocache's.

Report by Rod Smith, Hollybank Woods Vice Chairman and Geocache Warden.

After ten minutes of hunting through ivy-covered trees I finally find what I'm looking for at the base of a tree, there is a small pile of sticks and leaves. Pulling it away, I discover a carefully concealed tupperware box, a 'Geocache'.

Geocaching is a high tech international treasure hunt. There are over 42,000 hidden caches waiting to be found in the UK, along with 3380 in Italy, 32 in Antarctica and even one hidden on Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa.

Put simply, it's a contemporary version of the old pirate treasure map where X marks the spot. From locating the treasure on your computer to locating it in person via your GPS, it's a fun way get out and about and explore areas that you may not have been to before.

Rod Smith, Hollybank Woods Vice Chairman and Geocache Warden out in the wood setting clues! (PHOTO: AB)

To start playing the game the only kit you will need is some sort of GPS receiver. You can get a standard walking GPS from about £60, but your TomTom type of in-car Sat Nav will sometimes be accurate enough to find caches near to a roadside.

Rod is more than happy to meet people in Hollybank, lend them a suitable GPS unit, and guide them around the trail which leads to the geocache. It's a great way to get a feel for the sport before you commit to purchasing a GPS. Read on and then follow the link at the end of this feature.

Some Geocaches may be possible to find without a GPS device but you could be treasure hunting for the next 15 years before finding it, as the more common Ordnance Survey grid references aren't specific enough to be useful unless there is a definite landmark described in the cache's location clue.

Once on the international Geocaching website, (details on Rod's page) you will be able to search a list of caches and select one which is nearby. You can then print out the page for that cache, which includes a cryptic location clue, and off you go on the hunt.

If finding the caches alone isn't challenging enough, you must do so without being seen by 'Muggles' or Non-Geocachers. Some boxes are deliberately hidden in busy areas such as cities, parks and near supermarkets, so a good plan is needed to retrieve one secretly without giving the game away to the Muggles.

If you're lucky enough to find a cache, there will be a logbook inside to sign. Some boxes may also contain other objects such as toys, postcards or even CDs. If you do take something, then you are obliged to put something else back in, unless the object removed is a 'trackable' one.

There are two main types of trackable objects, Geocoins and Travel Bugs, the latter being a dog-tag normally attached to a keyring or model. Geocachers move these objects from cache to cache and they normally have 'missions' given to them by their owners. These can be anything from visiting as many British castles as possible to travelling to Australia. One cache near Havant has been put in place especially for people wishing to have their 'trackables' taken across to the continent (or beyond), with people en route to the Cross-Channel ferries and airports, stopping by to pick them up.

After you've searched for a cache and found it, you log back on to the Geocaching page for that cache and record your success, along with any notes, comments, or funny things that happened while you were searching.

Some caches are spread out along a trail, with one box having to be found in order to retrieve clues to the location of the next one. Others may require you to solve a puzzle to get the cache location, or can only be searched for at night.

A word of warning; Geocaching is surprisingly addictive. You could soon find yourself spending hours on the Geocaching.com site, checking for new caches to go and find. Even a simple trip to Portsmouth will include a quick detour to look for that box near the Spinnaker Tower. This sport may take over your life, but it's worth it!

Check out

Rod's Hollybank Geocache page

for more details nand how to get involved.

Habitat restoration in the conifer plantation.

Report by AB

You will have noticed the forestry work within the conifer plantation in the north eastern part of the woods which started in July. This will involve selective removal of trees to allow the Western Red Cedar, Oak and Beech to prosper. The work is being carried out by a local training organisation, so there is no cost to us. Chris Bain, who runs Forestry Training Services Ltd, is committed to sensitive woodland management using both traditional and modern forestry and woodland management techniques. Chris is a regular walker in the woods with his family, a member of the Friends of Hollybank Woods and is a serving committee member.

The work is being carried out by skilled professional woodsman, as part of their training by Chris, in the craft and practice of a more environmental approach to habitat restoration and conservation. Chris not only instructs on the art of plantation management, but challenges students to understand how their actions impact on the environment. They will take these skills back to the woodlands they manage, and both Forestry Training Services Ltd and Friends of Hollybank Woods hope that the experience of working in a modern plantation, within an ancient woodland, will seed a future generation of skilled craftsmen who will be encouraged to manage their own woodlands with a greater understanding of both habitat and wildlife conservation. Chris has a unique approach to woodland management, one that will contribute greatly to the flaura and fauna of the woodland. All work is carried out under full professional guidelines and public liability insurance.

John Bond, Press and Publicity Officer for Hollybank Woods, emphasises that this is not a short term project, but a long term forest regeneration scheme that will benefit future generations, and the woodland itself. Over the next ten years the plantation which has become a dark and sterile area within the greater woodland, will be opened up. The increase in light within the plantation, creation of wildlife corridors rich in grasses, will all contribute to the biodiversity and in doing so benefit the ancient woodland of Hollybank that surrounds it.

John Bond (Hollybank Woods Press and Publicity Officer) and Chris Bain (Friends Forestry Officer) in the Plantation. (PHOTO: AB)

Chris Bain runs Forestry Training Services Ltd and will be carrying out the plantation area management
without cost to us. The project will provide trainees with experience of forestry management
techniques and provide invaluable habitat restoration in the plantation area.

You may be alarmed to see a lot of trees down and logs being stacked, but be assured that the spoils from these fellings will be used within the plantation to create wildlife rich habitats. Also there will be obvious signs of vehicle movement on the main bridleway. Again please do not be alarmed, this is the movement of one vehicle on site to ensure safe movement of tools to and from the plantation. In a month or so an access point will be opened up directly by the plantation area, the old forestry gate, and the main tracks will no longer be used for vehicle movement. Only three 4 wheel drive vehicle will be on site within the plantation area at any time, this is required for health and safety reasons and to safely move the large amounts of equipment being used on site.

All parties involved have taken extensive steps to limit the impact of current felling on the wildlife within the plantation area. Even caterpillers are being moved, by hand, to safe locations! Please be assured that this is not a commercial logging and extraction operation, but a major and skilled long term habitat restoration project. The objective, sympathetic well planned long term habitat restoration to reverse the negative effects of the conifer plantation's lack of recent management.

Warning signs will be placed on paths entering the plantation area when felling is in progress, so please be aware of the need to proceed with caution during tree felling both now and in the coming years.

We would respectfully remind horse riders that there is no bridleway through the plantation or on Longcopse Hill. Bridleways are clearly marked within the main woodland.

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Meeting point for work days and walks.

Meeting point for work party days and guided walks / events 2009 | Back to top |

All Winter Work Party start at 10am and finish at 12 noon. Meet at the top of Hollybank Lane by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. All welcome. Woodland work tasks for all ages and abilities, from path clearing to litter picking. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots.

Work Party days run during the autumn and winter months. From April onwards, work days cease. This allows the nesting birds and breading animals the spring and summer months undisturbed.

During the Spring, Summer and Autumn there are monthly guided walks in the woodland. All walks start at the top of Hollybank Lane, meeting by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. Walks last 2 hours and start at 10am finishing about midday. (With the exception of the Summer moth and bat evening which starts at 8pm and finishes at about 11pm.) All welcome. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots. All guided walks meet at the top of Hollybank Lane and are free to members (50p suggested donation from non members).

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Weekly walks in Hollybank Woods:

Walking To Health.

Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Short, free and safe guided walks in Hollybank Woods. Meet at 10.15am, SYRCH Centre, Cotton Drive, off Southliegh Road in north Emsworth. (SYRCH Centre is sign posted and there is a free car park).

A great way to keep fit, all ages welcome! Improving your health whilst enjoying an autumn/winter walk in the woodland.

Organised by Walking to Health.
(Supported by the British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency.)

Foxgloves. Blue skies and (July 2011) summer weather in Hollybank Woods.
(PHOTO: AB)

Emsworth Show 2011

August Bank Holiday
Many thanks to all the visitors who dropped in on our stand this year, and to those who signed up as new members of the Friends of Hollybank Woods.

Emsworth Show. (PHOTO: AB)

Emsworth Show, Holybank Stand. David Willetts is a great supporter of the conservation work in Hollybank Woods, and has been a member of the friends group since it was founded. (PHOTOS: AB)

Emsworth Show 2009, Holybank Stand. Two of our regular young supporters from 2007. (PHOTO: AB)

Friends of Hollybank Woods

About and how to join:
The Friends of Hollybank Woods are a group of local residents who formed in the Spring of 2001 to promote the protection of Hollybank Woods. The wood is owned by Havant Borough Council and managed on its behalf by the Friends of Hollybank Woods who organise regular work parties and themed walks run by local naturalists. The group formed a management committee and undertake well planned conservation work in the woods for the benefit of both wildlife and people using the woods.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved, not just for those who want to do practical work. We need your support!

To receive a Membership Application pack and become a Friend, please contact the Friends of Hollybank Woods membership secretary. Membership costs £1.50 for an adult and £3.00 for a family. Under 16's free.

Anna Williams
Membership Secretary
Friends of Hollybank Woods
Hollybank House
Emsworth
PO10 7UN

Telephone Anna on (01243) 375502

You can email us too, contact details are on the Blog page.

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© 2010 | AB