Past, present and future Dalby

We had a great task this morning. We cleared vegetation (mostly pine saplings) off a section of one of the many scheduled (protected) archaeological features that sit within the forest. In this case, it was a post medieval enclosure/ boundary, which probably sits upon an even older pattern of land division dating back to the prehistoric period. The bank and ditch feature has not been excavated, so keeping it clear of tree saplings means the stratigraphical information it contains remains intact and preserved and is part of the long term management of the feature. Bit more of a busman’s holiday than usual for me this time since my day job is in archaeology!

Little frogs, beautiful clusters of fungi and birds’ nests provided some extra highlights.

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March 2022 worktask and AGM

Thank you to everyone who came to today’s work task and stayed to attend our in person AGM afterwards (thanks to the cafe who provided tea and coffee and amazing lemon cake!).

We continued to tidy up the forest garden, tackled the small willow structures in the park and did a bit of cutting back and reinstate the view from David’s seat on the Yellow trail which had become quite overgrown.

David was one of the original FoDF committee members when the Friends were first formed and the bench was placed here in his memory when he died in 2012. Take a moment next time you are passing and enjoy the view once more!

The view from David’s seat. March 2022.

David’s seat

From mire to path – in one morning! FoDF April work task

Our April work task saw us work on a part of Adderstone walking trail near the World Cup car park. We all worked really hard but it paid off as you can see from the before and after pictures!

 

It was a great effort and the children especially appreciated their private tuition from ranger Keith on  how to lop off branches!

The Bountiful Forest Garden – getting ready for winter at Dalby Forest

The forest garden was looking particularly lovely this morning as we tidied up for the winter. Still some very juicy blackberries and raspberries and there were lots of bees and insects around too. We also welcomed 3 new volunteers. Thanks everyone for coming!

Next month we will also be working in Lower Dalby getting ready for our Halloween Happenings. The weather will almost certainly have turned cooler by then so what an even more special September morning today.

April’s work task

This month we did some more pruning by the visitor centre as well as laying more woodchip by the new pencil maze at the park. We had a good turn out as it was then followed by our AGM. There are lots of exciting plans afoot and activities to get involved in, so watch this space!

Peter gets stuck in!

Jeni and her shears

Shovelling wood chip!

The new pencil spiral maze at the park

Our 2015 AGM meeting at the visitor centre

David’s Seat

David Walker was one of the original committee members when the Friends of Dalby Forest were first formed. He played many roles arranging licences, insurance, finding funds for play equipment and organising events including the first forest festival. He was part of the 100 Tree project and was a member of the walking group who planned the Woodcock Way. He walked every week in the forest. When he died in August 2012, his family asked if he could be remembered in Dalby in the forest he loved. We are pleased to say that you can now find David’s Seat at the start of the Yellow walking trail, looking down onto a wonderful view to the visitor centre. Take a moment to sit and enjoy the forest when you next pass just as David did.

David Walker on the route of the Woodcock Way

David’s Seat

View from David’s Seat