DorsetCountrysideVolunteersNo 149July - October 2009Reg Charity No 1071723www.dcv.org.uk

DCV is . . .

A practical conservation group run by volunteers

since 1972 doing practical work in thecountryside that would not otherwise be done

Volunteers are male and female, from all walksof life, all ages and from all over the county

Work is seasonal, e.g. woodlands in winter -hedgelaying, coppicing; in summer dry stonewalling, clearing ponds, footpath work

Organisations we work for include: DorsetWildlife Trust, Heritage Coast Project, NaturalEngland, Herpetological Conservation Trust

We work at weekends throughout Dorset

No super-human strength or special skillsneeded, or attendance on every task or even forthe whole weekend - any time is a bonus

DCV offers . . .

Practical care for the environmentOpportunity to learn new skills - training givenUse of all necessary toolsAccommodation on weekend tasksBeautiful countryside, social events, fun &companionshipLink with a French conservation group

YOU should bring . . .

Stout footwear (steel toecaps if you have them)Old clothes (wear layers)Tough gloves (we have some to sell/lend)Waterproofs, sun block, sun hat, insect repellentIf staying overnight – a change of clothes,sleeping bag (air bed/camp bed if you wish)Up to date tetanus jabGoggles, if you wish, to protect your eyes

Reaching a task . . .If you need / can offer a lift, phone one of thecontacts 3 days before a taskLifts from Wool station (toolstore is nearby)

A DCV day lasts . . .

10.00a.m. – 5.00p.m. approximatelyBreaks for lunch and drinks

FINDING DCV . . .

Maps with the task programme (at the back of thisnewsletter) show the locations of task sitesLook for DCV’s yellow arrows near the worksite orred and white tape or the DCV information boardmay show an explanatory noteIf unsure of the worksite try to arrive by 10.00 tomeet other volunteers. The worksite may be someway off. Lost? give us a call on 07929 961532

FOOD, DRINK & ACCOMMODATION

Occasionally, we hire a village hall, cook supper,visit the local pub and sleep overnight - karrimatsavailable! N.B. Book with Peter a week in advanceThe charge for a weekend, including Saturdayevening meal, lunch Saturday and Sunday,breakfast on Sunday and accommodation, £3.00DCV provides free hot/cold drinks and biscuitsduring the day - bring your own mug if you wishOn residentials, all volunteers are welcome to comefor the evening meal and pub whether working bothdays or just oneHalls offered by DCV provide separate male andfemale toilet/washing and changing facilities

Note: If you have a medical condition orallergies of any sort, please carry a card andbring necessary medicines. If you wish, bringthis to the attention of the task leader. Pleasecomplete the “in case of emergency” details atthe end of the newsletter, and bring on task.

All youngsters are welcome, but should beaccompanied by a responsible adult.

Who we are, what we do, where, whyand how . .

EDITORIAL

Climate change! 2045. Global warming! 2012. Species under threat! 2065. Lack of biodiversity! What

does it all mean? Does it affect us? What can we do about it?

Well, we could all sit back and watch TV and say YES, YES, I‛m sure THEY will do something about it

and I‛m not going to worry. In some cases we are past the worrying stage and into the action stage but

only re-action, to events and disasters that happen around us. Mankind is a wonderful species that is

very good at adapting to its surroundings and wi ll surely survive long after some plants, insects and

animals have died out. But there is something we can all do NOW. Biodiversity can be helped by

thousands of volunteers around the country helping to maintain or even expand the wi ld areas near

where they live.

Many of us already help by doing conservation work or raising money for work to be done. The lack of

biodiversity is due to mankind's expansion into the natural world and our subsequent control of it.

There were once vast areas of heathland and chalk grassland and more wetlands in Dorset with

associated flora and fauna. These areas helped to support local communities. As societies and farming

changed these areas were often neglected or marginalised, becoming overgrown with scrub and loosing

their wi ldlife. Over the last 50 years or so we have begun to realise what we need to protect and what

we can leave to nature to claim back, because so much of our landscape is manmade it needs to be

maintained.

That is why DCV is so important along with a myriad of other organisations, in that we actually get out

there and do some of the work. As Richard has observed, DCV task numbers wax and wane over the

years, indeed this has always been the case. Our task programme continues to roll steadi ly forward

but we can only function with you, the volunteer. So go on, be a small cog in a big wheel.

Speaking of cogs, the DCV machine was in action at the recent AGM which went very well. Richard‛s

position as co-ordinator and Chris‛position as treasurer were both approved. We had a very

interesting and informative slide show on the habitats of Dorset from Tony Bates, Chairman of Dorset

Wi ldlife Trust and we would like to thank him very much for his wonderful presentation. That evening,

the first of the newly instigated DCV Green Awards was presented - to David Fennell who cycled to

Winfrith vi llage hall from Dorchester. The second award was presented the next day - to Maurice

Budden, who walked to the task site at Symondsbury. Who will be next . . . ?

Phew, a big newsletter this issue, but it includes the annual report which you wi ll find interesting.

Many of you wi ll be looking forward to the next episode of ‘Less of the D‛Urbervi lles‛, and it‛s quite a

cliffhanger. There‛s a fine selection of photos of our work at Tyneham - are you in one of them?

Brush up on your fencing ski lls with the article in this newsletter or look online at the BTCV handbook

for further detai ls. As always, many thanks to all contributors and we look forward to seeing you on

task this summer.

Co-ordinator’s report for 2008/09 Richard Meatyard

IntroductionAs you will have noted there has been a bit of a shake-up in the DCV organisation this year. With effect fromthe last AGM I took over the role ofTask Leader coordinator from Viv Endecott. More recently as a result of IanHay stepping down from the Treasurers and various other roles, it became necessary to appoint an actingTreasurer, Chris Huggill and an acting Coordinator, myself to keep DCV operating until this AGM.

I hope you will agree with me when I say that we all owe Ian a huge debt of gratitude for the many years of hardwork that he put into DCV both on task where he set an example to be admired and followed and in his variousadministrative roles. In addition to attending virtually all tasks, leading many, and towing for trailer even more,he found time to be treasurer and take on various other administrative roles to keep DCV and its finances ingood order. I therefore hope you will join me in a big vote of thanks to Ian for all of this.

Since this is the first time I have had to put together a Coordinator’s report, I asked Peter to let me have a copyof a previous one and was presented with a 5 page document packed with statistics for the year 1995/6 whichwas too daunting a challenge for my first outing so this will be a somewhat briefer effort but I hope informative.

I have been out on task regularly now for about 4 years and my impression has been that attendance this yearwas down on previous years. As I put together this year’s figures and compared them with those of 13 yearsago, I found that they were broadly similar so perhaps it is natural for any organisation to wax and wane incycles over the years.

The vital statistics - What we did and who for? Annual summary compared to previous years

What things we did Who we did them for

Task Ty pe Day s Worked Daily Attendance

Construction 5 15

Tool store & repairs 1 11

Hedge lay ing 6 11

Dry Stone Walling 9 10

Construction/walling 1 9

Pond & Ditch work 5 9

Scrub Bashing 38 9

Ragwort etc 4 7

Woodland/Coppicing 4 7

Footpathf urniture 1 6

Footpath clearance 2 5

User Body Day sWorked

WorkDay s

DailyAttendance

National TrustWest Dorset

10 102 13

Dorset Wildlife Trust 13 94.5 8

Butterf lyConserv ation

9 84.5 11

HerpetologicalConserv ation Trust

8 73 10

Tamarisk Farm 6 64.4 12

Purbeck DistrictCouncil

5 33.5 8

Dorset CountyCouncil

3 24 9

Portland Project 4 20 5

BP- Wytch Farm 2 13 7

Purbeck HLF 2 13 7

Swy re - PeterYates 2 11 6

Leggett Trust 2 10 5

Lytchett Matrav ers PC 1 10 11

Osmington PC 2 10 5

Puncknowle PC 1 9.5 10

Plantlif e 1 7.5 8

DCC Heritage Coast 2 7 4

Natural England 2 6.5 4

Task Leaders Task Led

Brian Thompson 1

Viv Endecott 2

John Marsh 3

Val Simcock 3

Tania O’Keeffe 4

Don Simcock 4

Andy Cleaves 5

Shiela Johnson 6

Gareth Morgan 6

Chris Huggill 7

Doug Kite 8

Peter Warren 12

Richard Meatyard 15

Year Workdays Tasks Day s Worked Sites Attendance (av g)

2008/9 602 48 76 34 9

1995/6 684 55 86 39 8

Co-ordinator’s report for 2008/09 cont’d . .

Highlights & low-lights of the YearLooking back through the task report forms for the year, three tasks stand apart from the rest:

The first highlight was nearly a disaster. On a bright sunny June day we rolled up at Limekiln Hill above WestBexington, expecting to repair a few short sections of wall for the National Trust, to find a group of Trustvolunteers putting the finishing touches to the wall we were scheduled to repair. After a brief tete a tetebetween leader, warden and tenant we found ourselves starting to rebuild a long complex section of wall on asteep hill. Over this and the following two visits, the last, 3 days over a Bank Holiday weekend when wewere joined for the Saturday and Sunday by a large and enthusiastic group from Hampshire ConservationVolunteers. A long section of the wall was stripped and rebuilt.

The low-light of the year was probably the walling task at Puncknowle. A merry group of volunteers set-toclearing around the wall we were due to strip back and rebuild. When the adjacent landowner started toprotest about the work and then tried to walk off with various tools, it became clear that we had becomeembroiled in a local boundary dispute. With the Parish Council unable to give the necessary guarantees thetask had to be abandoned. We hope to return and complete the wall but as yet the necessary guaranteesare not forthcoming.

The second highlight of the year was the two weekends spent re-chalking the Cerne Giant along with variousother local and not so local volunteers. The Gods were very definitely on the side of the National Trust asthis task which involves cutting out and replacing some 20 tonnes of chalk on the side of a steep hill is onlypossible in dry weather. The complete task took place over two weekends and the intervening week. DCVwere out both weekends and on the second weekend was joined by a large group of volunteers from Orchis.By the end of the last day the Giant was resplendent in the setting sunlight. It will be sometime before we gotramping on the Giant again as the re-chalking is only done every 7 years.

ThanksIt takes the effort and dedication of many people to keep the DCV going, all of whom give up a significantamount of their free time to ensure that for most weekends of the year we contribute something towards theconservation of the flora, fauna and landscape of this marvellous part of the country that we have the goodfortune to live in.

Firstly, I would ask for a vote of thanks for all those that give up their time to put together a busy programmeof tasks and social events:

Doug Kite - Who seeks out and puts together our programme of tasks for a wide range of clients.Helen Gorman - Who arranges an interesting selection of social events.Don & Val Simcock - Who create the interesting and informative quarterly newsletter.Nick O’Keeffe - Who maintains the DCV WEB site and ensures the content is current.Brian Thompson & Chris Huggill - Our publicity officers who actively promote the work of DCV both inthe press and at many local events around the county.Terry Gillott for arranging the two Orchis visits this year.

Secondly, I would like to ask for a vote of thanks for all those that give up their time to deal with the logisticsof keeping the tools in good order and getting them on-site:

Gordon Hobday - For all his efforts repairing and maintaining our stock of tools. Also for towing thetrailer many weekends of the year.Peter Warren - For towing the trailer most weekends of the year and the much needed assistance ofhis trusty chainsaw at many of the tasks during the year.Andy Cleaves - For being our other chainsaw operator who we do our best to keep busy.Chris Huggill - Who has now also taken on trailer towing duties.

DCV ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGheld at Winfrith Village Hall 4 th July 2009

Present: Kevin Cook President and 12 DCV members

1. Apologies: Viv and John

2. Minutes of last meeting w ere read and agreed.

3. The Co-ordinator ’s report w as read out, a copy w ill be included in the next new sletter. Thework of committee members and volunteers alike w as acknow ledged.

4. The Treasurer’s report w as read out, the account for the financial year ending 31st March 2009is £3789.77 in credit. A copy of this report w ill be included in the next new sletter.

5. Chris and David w ere thanked by Brian for their support w ith helping him w ith publicity. Thereis still a need for more publicity in the east of the county.

6. The Orchis link w as described; it seems to be w orking w ell. 18th September DCV members aredue to visit Orchis. All are w elcome to join in.

7. President’s speech – the variety and quality of articles in the newsletter w ere praised, thankswas given for the time and effort involved. The role of charities to maintain the localenvironment w as emphasised. Thanks w ere given to all volunteers but particularly to thosethat are long term. The President particular ly praised Ian for all the contributions he has madeto DCV as Co-ordinator and Treasurer.

8. Election of off icers – Treasurer and Co-ordinator needed to be formally elected.

Co-ordinator - Richard w as proposed by Brian seconded by Doug.

Treasurer - Chris w as proposed by Brian seconded by Doug.

Both members w ere duly elected. The remaining members of the Committee w ere re-elected.

Now I must ask for a vote of thanks for our task leaders, without whom there would be no tasks:

Andy Cleaves Peter WarrenBrian Thompson Richard MeatyardChris Huggill Shiela JohnsonDon Simcock Tania O’KeeffeDoug Kite Val SimcockGareth Morgan Viv EndecottJohn Marsh

And finally, and most importantly, a vote of thanks to all the many people who make the effort to come out ontask and their hard work which is greatly appreciated by the many organisations for whom we do work.

ConclusionThis being my first Coordinator’s report I hope I have included all the relevant details and if I have forgotten tothank anyone then please forgive me and accept my thanks now. I look forward to being able to report anequally busy and productive year at the next AGM.

Richard Meatyard

Co-ordinator’s report for 2008/09 cont’d . .

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR1 APRIL 2008 TO 31 MARCH 2009

INCOME £ EXPENDITURE £

Tasks Tasks

Workdays 214.50 Food 186.37

Mileage 105.60 Mileage 435.90

Chainsaw - Chainsaw 105.00

Food and Accommodation 80.00———

Accommodation 20.00———

Subtotal 400.10———

747.27———

Membership Equipment

Subscriptions 294.00 Tools and Trailer 567.93

Donations 185.00———

Gas 28.64

Mobile phone 30.00

Subtotal 479.00———

Sundries 26.74———

Donations to Orchis Fund 14.00 Subtotal 653.31———

Donation to Equipment Fund 200.00———

Publicity and Administration

Newsletter 586.70

TOTAL INCOME 1093.10———

Leaflets 281.75

Other Publicity 413.97

BTCV Membership/Insurance 540.75

BALANCE Sundries 18.18———

Opening Balance 6277.25

Total Income less Total Expenditure (2487.48)———

Subtotal 1841.35———

Closing Balance 3789.77———

Social for Orchis Visit 265.15

Workdays (Reimbursement toHampshire CV)

73.50———

Chris Huggill, TreasurerTOTAL EXPENDITURE 3580.58

———

Symondsbury Sheepwash

Symondsbury - one of the largest parishes in West Dorset,bounded by the Marshwood Vale to the north and theWorld Heritage Jurassic Coast to the south. Situated oneand a half miles west of Bridport, the Parish ofSymondsbury is also within a designated Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty. The River Simene, its sourcejust north of the parish, meanders through Symondsburyand meets with the River Brit, to continue its journey to thesea at West Bay. The landmark of Symondsbury isColmers Hill.

Much siltingup wascaused bystorm waterfrom roadand brookso theemergencygap wasopened upby MikePegg as heand JohnSharoodhad foundwaterflowing overthe wall.

SHEEP TALES Baaa

The above photograph is reproduced fromWithin View of Colmers, A Chronicle of Country Life in the Simene Valley, Dorset,

by Charlie Waterfall

FENCINGThe exact line of the fence andmaterials required are decided bythe client before the task. A sitevisit may be necessary if thefence is new, long or complicatedin any way.It’s always a good idea to involvethe volunteers, task leader andclient right at the beginning of theday and for everyone to know theoverall plan.Walk the proposed line with thevolunteers and some of thematerials and mark out thebeginning and end of the fenceand then any changes indirection, then we can determineif we have enough materials.Straining posts can be up to100m apart but 50m is preferable.

Most post and wire fences are forkeeping animals in, where theycan safely graze.The top wire ofa fence should be of a heaviergrade and able to take morestrain if an animal leans over or atree falls onto it.

Straining posts are large andneed to take the strain when thewires are tensioned and anystrain in a change of direction.They need to be put into theground about half of their height.Intermediate posts can be drivenin about one third of their height.

Tests have shown that the bestmethod for all posts is a tractormounted post driver.The second best method isdriving the post into the groundwith a post hole driver or fencingmaul.The least best method is to digthe hole and tamp the backfill.Tests in have shown that only90kg of force is needed to pull outa dug and tamped post but900kg of force is needed to pullout a hand driven post.Straining posts have a strut builtonto them to help take the strain.

Usually the strut is placed nearthe top of the post and angled intothe ground at 45 degrees. Astronger method is to place thestrut about one third down andsloped at an angle of 25-30degrees. The bottom of the strutcan be dug in by hand and placedonto a thrust plate (this can be alarge stone or stake driven in).

In soft ground such as wetmeadows the straining post willbenefit from being driven inanother one third and it may beadvisable to obtain extra longposts.

Intermediate posts should bedriven in up to 10m apart on high

tensile fences, much less onsteel netting. Use a fencing maulor post hole driver with oneperson each side and another tocheck it’s sti ll vertical. The use ofhard hats and safety goggles isrecommended.

Once the posts are in place theattachment of the wire can begin.The purpose of the fence, eitherto keep in cattle or sheepdecides how many strands toattach. Wires are normallystrained from the top down, asthe top wire has the mostleverage on the post and ifstrained last could cause theother wires to slacken. Onuneven ground don't fasten offthe wire before stapling tosufficient intermediate stakes, oryou may find the wire is too tautand cannot be pulled up or down.For the same reason, alwaysleave the wire strainers inposition as long as possible, anddo the cutting and fastening ofthe wire as the last stage, so anyadjustments in wire tension canbe made.

Tasks:15/16 Aug Fencing Throop Islands19/20 Sep - Fencing, Ryewater

Sheepwash Project: Eggardon & Colmer’s View July 2009, Symondsbury Notes - Phil Davies“DCV were in action on June 6th and 7th - D-day for an attack on the interesting agricultural archaeology inMill Lane. Initial clearing work allowed the problems to be revealed and a good deal of excavation showedwhere solid stone bases exist for work, hopefully by a digger. There is a good deal of brickwork repair to bedone and a start was made. George Jeans looked in and talked of sheep washing 60 years ago. Rebuildingof the outside wall wil l await decisions by the Council and Highways. At present, road drainage depends onthe artificial gap. “

Update from Phil : “Much pointing achieved and a good deal of brick work remains. Some large lumps couldperhaps be replaced en bloc. Excavation by digger and spraying of sedge plants make a big difference.If Pineapple (Estate is run by the Pineapple Organisation) are happy I will enlarge map and explanatorydetails for passing hikers. It could be displayed at edge of project in a waterproof format. -Splendid DCVeffort as usual but no bonfire . . . “

DCV Publicity Officer -Brian Thompson

The post of Publicity Officer iswhat the individual makes of it.In my case I started off gently bywriting one article for a localnewspaper and gradually built itu p a s e xp e ri en ce g re w.However I could not do half ofthe functions without the help ofmembers. DCV Publicity isreally a team with a namedperson and a number of will ingvolunteers who do a lot in thebackground.

they distribute leafletshelp at eventsfind events suitable forDCV to attendph oto cop y an d p rin tcap tion s fo r di spl a yboards,plus many more differentfunctions to help publicityrun smoothly

The primary function of publicityis to promote DCV by acting as acontact for people who arethinking of coming out on task .

You may also get enquiries fromthose who wish to use DCV -these are easy as you can passthem on to Doug.

Circulating leaflets round theDorset libraries - we are luckyhere as the main library inDorchester will send leafletsround all Dorset libraries, if yousort and label them in smallbundles. This does not coverl i b ra ri e s i n Po o l e a n dBournemouth but fortunatelythere are members who arewilling to help with that.

Optional functions are:To arrange for the DCV displayboards to go into local librariesfor a couple of weeks once ayear. .

Give interviews on Local Radioand o cca sionall y give a ninterview on TV when they comeout to fi lm something of interestto them, usually after you havesent a press release to the TVstation.

Radio interviews are moreinteresting as you can be sitting

The DCV publicity team will be out at three events in August :

Sat 8 August RNLI Lifeboats Country Fayre and Vehicle Rally atWinterborne Stickland Sports Club near Blandford 11am to 5pm

Sun 16 August Kinson Common Community Open Day, Poole Lane, Kinson 11am to 5pm

Sat 29 August Stock Gaylard Oak Fair, Kings Stag near Sturminster Newton 10am to 5pm,

We aim to arrive at all these places around 9am to give us time to set up our display.The more helpers we have the easier it will be - if you would like to give a hand,please let us know .

N.B.

in a studio talking to thepresenter on air as if he wassitting next to you, while he isactually in another studio over 60miles away, or doing an outsidebroadcast on the task site whenyou are actually in a park closeto the studio.

Wri ting a rti cle s fo r lo ca lnewspapers and talking toreporters from those papers isnot such a hard job thanks to theinformation Doug gives on thetask programme.

Having worked on many of thetask sites helps in havingbackground knowledge of thework we are doing.

Looking for suitable events inDorset to promote DCV, thisusually starts off by hearing of anevent somewhere in the county.

I have been very lucky in thatDCV members are willing to giveup a day or more to help me outat these events. Their help isreally appreciated.

Brian Thompson

PUBLICITY

“Why do you say you‛re doomedbecause of Alec? W hat‛s hedone to you?”

“Oh he‛s done bad things,ma‛am. And there‛s a curse inmy fami ly. I‛ll never be free ofit unti l I‛m free of him.”

“Well, we‛re free of him now,but if he comes back, justshout and we‛ll all come and getrid of him.”

“There‛ll be no need, sirr,” saidJess, “I‛ll do it myself.” Andfrom the look on her face itwas clear she meant it.

Just then came the sound ofgirlish laughter as three youngwomen, looking ratherdishevelled, appeared from thedirection of the swamp. “Jess!”they cried excitedly. “Is itreally you?”

“Marian! Izzy! Reema! Howeverdid you find me?”

LESS OF THE D‛URBERVILLES, MORE OF THE DCV‛S

“Those arrows do come inuseful,” volunteered an oldervolunteer, springing to life.

The task leader welcomedthem. “Did you follow ourarrows?” he said.

“Oh no,” said Marian, “We‛relost. We‛re on our way backfrom church but the RiverFrome was flooded.”

“And we didn‛t have Angel tocarry us across it this time,”put in Izzy.

“Look at all those ancient toolsyou‛ve got!” exclaimed Marian.“Us farm girls can do wonderswith them.”

“Er yes, well Gordon does do anamazing job at keeping themrestored, long after mostpeople would have given up.” Sowork resumed, the addition ofthese three Wessex countrygirls making for a happy mix ofold and young, male and femalevolunteers all together.

The tools expert was in a moodfor reminiscing. “They remindme of three girls I met in July1934.” However, as talkinevitably turned to thesubject of Jess‛s partner, thejolli ty could not be maintainedfor ever.

“We all fancied him something

rotten,” said Reema, “but heonly wanted you Jess.”“Much good it‛s done me,”muttered Jess. “And he neverliked our names.”

“Your names?” said our leader.“What‛s wrong with them?”

“They‛re Norman.”

“So what‛s your last name?”

“Dorset.”

“But that sounds like a localname.” Jess explained that itwas originally D‛Orsette.

“We like Normans,” piped upsomeone. “We have links with asimi lar association inNormandy.”

“They‛re very clever,” Jesswent on. “You admire Normanwisdom?”

“Er, well he‛s getting on a bit,isn‛t he?”

“Jess won‛t understand that,”laughed Izzy. “She grew up in avery strict community. She‛snever watched television orseen a fi lm. That‛s why shetalks so different from therest of you.”

A change of subject was feltto be in order. “So does Aleclike your name, Jess?”

“I should bloomin‛well think hedoes. His fami ly pinched it offours.”

“Ah yes,” the publicity menmurmured to each other,remembering the landowner‛sFrench-sounding surname. “Wellif he follows you - - ”

“It‛ll be the last thing he everdoes,” snapped Jess,disappearing into the scrub witha firm grip on her lopper.

Later in the afternoon Matt, ayoung volunteer, saw and heardsomething moving nearby. “Ithink that bloke‛s back,” he saidin a low voice. “We‛ve got torescue Jess.” The othersgathered round. “Where is she?Jess!” But she was nowhere.“Jess!” They searched andshouted fruitlessly for half anhour.

“Can someone go back to thefire?” said the task leader.“Make sure it‛s under control.”

“I‛ll go,” said Matt. He cautiouslyreturned to base. The fire wasjust smouldering now. In thefading light, ash covered all thesurroundings, including a pi le ofclothing with a pitchforkembedded in it. Half sticking outfrom the clothing was the ashenface of a youngish man. “No! No!”cried Matt.

The others came rushing back.“Oh my God!” they gasped.“What‛s she done?”

On Friday 15th May DCV members lined up at the Poole FerryTerminal to welcome our guests from the French conservationgroup Association Orchis who were visiting us for the weekend.

The last Newsletter contained two articles headed "Tyneham -Dorset's ghost vi llage" and "Tyneham Farm Project". We wereprivileged to work on the farm project on Saturday and Sundaywith our French visitors. The work was varied and some quiteheavy (and dirty) but it was all carried out in a happyatmosphere. Even the weather was good to us.

On Saturday evening whi lst our guests and some DCV membersenjoyed a short walk and visit to the pub others slaved in thekitchen of Church Knowle vi llage hall. A banquet (almost) wasduly prepared and enjoyed by all.

On Sunday it was back to Tyneham before our guests returnedto their hosts homes to shower, change and collect belongingsbefore enjoying an evening meal at the home of two DCVmembers. The evening was cut a little short when our guestssuddenly realised the boat left 30 minutes earlier than they hadplanned so after a bit of a scramble they were safely deliveredback to the ferry terminal.

Following a not too smooth journey to Poole a much morepleasant return crossing to France was enjoyed by our visitors.

We will be travelling to the members of Association Orchis inNormandy for the weekend commencing Friday 18th September.We normally travel to Cherbourg on Friday and return Sundayevening. All we need to do is buy our own Ferry ticket which atthe moment is advertised at £40.00. Accommodation, travel,food and drink are provided by the Orchis members. Oh, theywill also arrange some conservation work for us.

All DCV members are welcome to come along. If you would liketo join us please phone or emai l me in order that I can make thenecessary arrangements. If you have any questions or queriesregarding the trip please don't hesitate to contact me. This isalways an enjoyable experience.

I look forward to hearing from you.

ASSOCIATIONORCHIS

Grid Ref: SZ 114959 Size: 3.67 Ha Location: River Stour beside Throop Mill, Bournemouth

Description: Two meadows either side of the weir pool. The old mill (not open to the public)and weir structures add interest. Habitats: Riverside meadows and riverbank habitat

Wildlife: The islands lay beside one of the original un-straightened stretches of the River Stour. Thesequiet back waters are home to a range of dragonflies and damselflies, otters, barn owls and water birdssuch as Reed bunting, Kingfisher and Water rail. Good riverside bird watching.

Ownership & Management: Dorset Countryside, the Ranger Service of Dorset County Council.

Access: A small car park is provided off Throop Road. A short roadside walk leads to the old mill and asurfaced public footpath around the mill and over the weir pool. A public footpath crosse s one of the islands(Hurters Mead) leading to the Stour Valley Way, linking with the wider countryside. Access to the meadowon the second island, Mill Ham, on the other side of the weir pool, is for anglers only being closed to thepublic as a wildlife haven.

Throop Islands Local Nature Reserve

THROOP ISLANDS: FACTS

Dorset Countryside has on site:

· A range of nest boxes· A pole mounted Barn Owl Box (in partnership with

Dorset Hawk & Owl Group)· An artificial Otter Holt built with help of pupils from Bicknell

School

The Islands’ grasslands need management through acombination of cutting and cattle grazing. New fences andgates are needed before safe and appropriate cattle grazingcan take place. Unfortunately, cattle have come onto theislands due to people forcing a field gate open. A new vehiclegate and angler’s access will be installed to control cattlegrazing.

Ringwood & District Anglers Association leases fishing rightsfrom the Malmesbury Estate and control most aspects of thefisheries.

The Malmesbury Estate posse sse s shooting rights andexercises them in winter as for the past 100 years.

The Environment Agency has input into river managementincluding flood alleviation and responsibility for both weirs,one nearest the mill, the other over the main river channel.

Haygates a mill ing company based near Northampton,involved in flour milling since 18th century, are the owners ofThroop Mill.

Throop Mill

1086 Throop Mill, value 14s 6d, stands on the water’s edge, not a river but a swamp filled with fish,eels and an abundance of wild duck. Pigs graze fields around the Mill, turned out for 6weeks pannage, to fatten on acorns and beech mast. Rushes are gathered, smugglingsupplements many a meagre income. Local vil lains and surfs live in mud and wattle huts,shared with animals in cold weather.

1200 Monks from Quarr Abbey (Isle of Wight) rent and work the Mill, providing also a source ofeducation and healing for the poor villagers.

1282 Following a bad harvest and the Crown having asse ssed taxes at 1 guinea p.a., the monkshave had enough, time for Christchurch Priory to take on the lease.

1321 The value of the Mill drops to 4s p.a., Quarr Abbey grants away all rights.

During intervening centuries millers at Throop work as tenants for the Manor of Christchurch. Theriver is no longer a swamp but food is sti ll plentiful from the waters. The Mill is rebuilt . . .

Late 1890s changes take place that remain current. The left side of the old cob mill is removed andthe red brick feature built up.

1900 The right side of the mill becomes complete, garages and barns added later.

Armfield Engineering are commissioned to install the 50” turbine at a cost of £165. Augers andbucket elevators transfer grain to the top of the building via an extensive belt and pulley systempowered by water. That machinery remains today, with many dressers, shakers, cleaners and theroll ing system which ground the flour.

1975 Designated Grade II l isted building.

1981 Throop Mill closes down when its last miller Cecil Biles (known to every one as ‘Cis') dies atthe mill. Cis, who loved the mill, worked there for the greater part of his life.

During the Mill ’s history, Spanish and Portuguese coins were found in the stream, indicating theinternational trade based at Throop. Biscuits were made at the Mill for use on ships bound forNewfoundland, where some of the local vil lagers went to make a new life.

. . . . Throughout its working life the Mill ground flour and animal feed, was a source of sustenance,teaching and healing from the Monks who, together with their labourers, worked long hours, sufferingback ache and lung problems from the dust. . . . Today, a warmth radiates from this beautifulbuilding linking us with our past.

Throop Mill. . . timeline

D C V DIARY July - October 2009

DATE TASK SITE CLIENT WORK

Sunday 26 July DCV Toolstore, Wool DCV Tool maintenance

1 & 2 August Swyre or Puncknowle,West Dorset

Drystone walling

Sunday 9 August Hambledon Hill, N Dorset Natural England Ragwort pulling

15 & 16 August Throop Islands,Bournemouth

Dorset Countryside Fencing

Sunday 23 August Tyneham MoD Tyneham Farmproject

Various stream works

Sunday 30 August Symondsburysheepwash, W Dorset

Symondsbury Estate Repairs and re-pointing

Sunday 6September

Upton Wood, Poole Purbeck District Council Scrub cutting

Thursday 10September

Pub Meal Sailors ReturnEast Chaldon

Phone Helen to bookasap

Sunday 13September

Golden Cap Estate, WDorset

National Trust Pond clearance

19 & 20 September Ryewater Farm, W Dorset Plantlife Fencing

26 & 27 September East Cliff, West Bay, WDorset

Dorset Countryside Path works

Thursday 1 October Bring a dish - + bottle at Doug’s @ 7.45 p.m.

Sunday 4 October Purbeck Ridge Purbeck Keystoneproject

Gorse cutting

Thursday 8 October Planning Meeting at Chris’ @ 7.45 p.m.

10 & 11 October Ashley Heath Dorset Countryside Hedgelaying

Sunday 18 October Upton Wood Purbeck District Council Rhododendron cutting

24 & 25 October Springhead, FontmellMagna, N Dorset

Springhead Trust Grass ampitheatre

Sunday 1 Nov ember Upton Wood Purbeck District Council Bluebell planting

DCV mobile: 07929 961532 (task hours) web site: www.dcv.org.uk

Remember to keep a note of the DCV mobile phone number - there could be occasionswhen a task may have to be cancelled at the last minute, or may have to finish early,e.g. in adverse weather conditions. If you are coming out later in the day, it may be

wise to phone to check the task is still running.

D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009

Sunday 26 July: Wool Tool Store See map from 27/28 June 2009 Tool maintenance.

1 & 2 August: Swyre or Puncknowle, West Dorset

Over the years we have had quite a few tasks in and around thesetwo villages. Both villages are on limestone, a hard rock that wasused for building stone and which gives the villages in this area theirdistinctive character. In the surrounding countryside there is amosaic of drystone walls. These were built centuries ago byclearing limestone rocks from the land to provide sturdy, stockprooffields. They need occasional maintenance and many are now in astate of partial collapse, their usefulness having been replaced bybarbed wire and other fence types. We shall be restoring a length ofwall, thereby helping to maintain the local character of thecountryside. Experienced volunteers will be on hand for guidance.NB: There are two walls requiring work and at the time of writingfinal arrangements had yet to be made on which will get ourattention. Rendezvous in Swyre vil lage centre near the phone box(for the Swyre wall option just a short walk away). If need be weshall travel on to nearby Puncknowle for a wall bordering the vil lagerecreation ground. Late comers look out for the distinctive DCVnotice board near the phone box for directions.

Sunday 9 August: Hambledon Hill, North Dorset

August comes but once a year and so too does our annualtrek over this ancient hill fort and National Nature Reservehunting out the dreaded yellow flower. Yes it’s a ragwortpulling weekend, though only a Sunday this time. In someyears ragwort has become rather hard to find at this site andonly a few scrawny specimens have been pulled. Butcontinued vigilance is needed if livestock are to safely grazethe flower rich grassland without a risk of poisoning from thisplant. In case the ragwort proves elusive the reserve managerhas thoughtfully lined up some baby scrub cutting. One canhear the groans of enthusiasm already! This is important workthough, helping to keep the grassland in tip-top condition forwildflowers, butterflies, glow worms and many other beasties.And sweeping views across the Blackmore Vale provide oneof the best backdrops to any of our task sites.NB: If it’s hot remember your sunscreen – there’s not muchshade from a baby scrub!

Swyre or Punckowle OS 194

Hambledon Hill OS 194

15 & 16 August: Throop Islands, Bournemouth

This weekend takes us to a new and unusual task site. The twoislands – Hurter Mead and Mill Ham – are formed by the RiverStour as it divides into three channels near Throop Mill. The millappears in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was still in use aslate as 1972. The islands are linked across the river by a seriesof bridges that form part of the Throop Loop on the Stour ValleyWay footpath. They are vulnerable to winter flooding and this hasprotected their character as old riverside grasslands. Now thearea is valued as a Local Nature Reserve. The grasslands needto be managed in a traditional way by hay cutting and livestockgrazing to conserve their interest for plants and insect life. Tohelp manage this we have been asked to carry out fencing workaround the site. Fencing involves a variety of jobs, each easilylearned, and there will be some experienced fencers on hand toshow how it’s done.

Throop Islands OS 195

Meet & Park inVillage by RedPhone Box

Meet & ParkIn Lay-byST 838 123

Meet & Park atThroop MillCar Park

Sunday 23 August: Tyneham, Purbeck

This weekend sees the last of our of summer tasks at the desertedvil lage of Tyneham on the Lulworth army ranges. The village wasrequisitioned with surrounding farmland for training use by Britishforces and this inadvertently set up a capsule into the past with timeand nature slowly taking over. Several of the collapsing cottageshave been kept from completely falling apart and now form apopular tourist destination. Over the summer we have been helpingwith a landscaping project behind the former Tyneham Farm thatlies just beyond the village. Here there are old banks and somestream channels that lead past the buildings and across a stonepitched ford. The ford is in a hollow and seems to have been usedas a sheepwash in days gone by. We have built a sleeper bridgeand are part way through naturalising the re-excavated streamchannel above the ford with left over stone from nearby stone wallrestoration work. On this task we shall continue working on thestream which is usually dry in summer. There are also some jobsmanaging the vegetation, and we shall possibly have a go at gettingthe last of the silt out of the bottom of the old ford.NB: Park at the far end of the visitors car park (SY 882 802) – theold farm lies beyond over the bridge, up valley to the left. Anelement of the task could involve getting muddy and maybe wet inthe old ford, so bring suitable gear if this is to your taste.

D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009

Symondsbury OS 193 Sunday 30 August: Symondsbury, West Dorset

This task continues our work from earlier in the summer onclearing out and restoring an old and now long disusedsheepwash. Basically a sheepwash is a walled hollowwith an entrance ramp built into a small stream and wasused to hold up the flow and form an animal ‘wash’.Before shearing the sheep were washed to clean thefleece of dirt. The cut fleeces could then fetch a betterprice. In time other ways were found to clean the fleecesonce cut and around the country the sheepwashes fell intodisuse. At Symondsbury there are some repairs and re-pointing to do on the side walls and, guess what, probablymore silt to clear out from its bottom.NB: Bring wellies and clothes suitable for a messy time.

Upton Wood OS 195

Tyneham OS 194 & 195

Sunday 6 September: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole borderWe return to this urban fringe site for some early practice withour loppers and bow saws. These should be razor sharp afterthe earlier tools task. More about the cutting practice later. Thesite contains mature woodland with a few streams that passthrough among the undergrowth, some scrub and grasslandclearings. There is even a small heathland with a relic area ofmire. We have made a number of visits cutting scrub from themire and beating back rhododendron in the woodland. This tasktakes us back into the mire which at this time of year should be atits driest. Our job for the day is to cut out invading birch andbramble among the tussocks of purple moor-grass, mostly on themire edge. The more athletic can venture out into the wetterground. So come along and enjoy the usual banter around ourtea and coffee breaks, all with lots of biscuits.NB: Bring wellies if you have them as even on the mire edge theground can be squidgy.

Meet & ParkIn Yard

Meet & ParkOn Pony Drive

D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009

Ryewater OS 194

Golden Cap OS 193

East Cliff West Bay OS 193

Sunday 13 September: Golden Cap Estate, West Dorset

This area has been described by the National Trust as a jewelin the crown. And justifiably so. Here the coast path climbssteeply to the summit of Golden Cap – at 191m the highestpoint on the south coast. On a clear day there are sweepingviews along miles of dramatic coastline. Turn inland and thereare small, secluded valleys, each with a patchwork of fieldsand hedges. Here small streams tumble down between thefields, some ending with a leap over the cliff to the beachbelow. So it’s a great privilege to have tasks in the area. Onthis visit we shall be getting in close to a pond or two. Somehave become host to unwelcome invasive plants such asparrot’s feather and Australian swamp stonecrop. Theseforeign aquatic plants can rapidly colonise ponds and replacethe native vegetation. Eradicating them is near impossible asthe smallest fragment can re-grow. But clearing out theirexcessive growth every few years or so gives our native, lessrobust plants more space to survive and grow.NB: This will be a wet task for most but with some dry landjobs also required. Bring your wellies or waders, wear oldclothes and be prepared to get wet.

19 & 20 September: Ryewater Farm, West DorsetAn autumn visit to this remote and tranquil valley of oldgrasslands and steep, wooded streamsides is a welcomeinclusion to our task programme. The area escaped the worstof modern agricultural improvements and this enabled a host ofwild plants to survive. Now the area is secured as a naturereserve for all to enjoy. On this occasion we have been askedto renew sections of fence, carrying on from our task earlier inthe summer. Some of the fence has collapsed, more hasbecome rather rickety due to the posts having gone rotten in theground. So the task will involve quite a range of jobs: takingdown bits of fence, putting in new posts, joining up new fence,straining it tight and stapling up. Of course there will be someexperienced DCV fencers around to give guidance if required.NB: There is no parking at the reserve. There is a small carpark at an adjacent DWT nature reserve at ST 515 066. This isjust beyond the house on the bend of the lane a few hundredyards north of the access track to the Ryewater Farm reserve.

26 & 27 September: East Cliff, West Bay, West Dorset

It’s a few years since we last had a task on the coast pathabove Dorset’s dramatic sea cliffs. So this weekend is a treatas it takes us to the very edge of the Jurassic Coast. EastCliff rises to over 100 feet in a great domed curve betweenthe mouths of two rivers – the Brit and the Bride. From thetop there is a sheer drop down to the beach. The cliff itselfhas thin bands of hard sandstone sandwiched betweenthicker bands of softer, more easily eroded rock. From afarthis gives the cliff a distinctly striped appearance. At the topthere is a very different rock, limestone, containing ammonitefossils preserved from a Jurassic sea some 180 mill ion yearsago. We shall be working on the coast path high on the clifftop, probably carrying out repairs to the path surface.NB: Look out for DCV direction arrows on the way to thecaravan park reception centre.

Meet at DWTCar ParkST 515 066

Meet & ParkAt FarmSY 407 929

Meet & ParkFreshwaterCaravan ParkSY 478 899

D C V TASK PROGRAMME : July - October 2009

Brenscombe Hill OS 195Sunday 4 October: Brenscombe Hill, Purbeck

This task take s u s back to a location high on the Purbeck chalkridge that we first visited earlier in the year. The site offers abird’s eye view across the old village of Corfe Castle nestlingbeside the gap through the ridge. Then eastward there aredistant views to Swanage and the sea. But all this scenerymustn’t distract us too much as we have taken on a challengeto cut yet more gorse that seems bent on taking over thevaluable, plant rich grassland. Fortunately the gorse is quitesmall, albeit one year’s growth taller than when we last saw it,and has no chance against our ruthless use of bow-saws andloppers.NB: Parking is rather limited at the Rempstone junction butthere is more space down the side lane. To improve yourfitness for the task there is a walk from the junction up and overthe ridge to the task site. Just think of the view at the top!

10 & 11 September: Ashley Heath, East DorsetThe once extensive heath at Ashley has disappeared under housingand conifer plantation, but the name endures. In earlier times theheath gave its name to a halt on the original railway from Southamptonto Dorchester. The line was axed by Dr Beeching in the 1960s. NowAshley Heath stands marooned, a surprisingly well kept station whereno train passes. But people still visit as the old route has gained newlife as the Castleman Trailway - a path and cycleway linkingsettlements along its way from Ringwood to Poole. Last year we madeour first visit to this site, where a young hedge marches down thecentre line of what could have been a section of double rail track. Aquick mechanical cut would have solved the problem. But this is ratherharsh and we were asked to lay a section in the traditional way as afeature of the Trailway. This autumn we return to do some more. Thehedge is young hawthorn, ideal for anyone wishing to polish up orlearn the skill. Experienced hedgelayers will be on hand for guidance.

24 & 25 October: Springhead, Fontmell Magna, North Dorset

Our last task in this programme is the most unusual. We have beeninvited into the grounds that surround a small lake fed by crystalclear water gushing up from the chalk below. Some of our olderhands may remember coming here before, and not so long ago onWilliam’s star watching night. More star watching could well be onthe agenda for those staying the night (read on), but during the daywe shall be landscaping a slope to form a small amphitheatre ofgrass covered ledges for people to sit on. The existing grass is to belifted with a turf cutter, then our muscles are required to cut out aseries of ledges, one above the other. For those less inclined tobuild up their biceps there is the tricky job of relaying the turf backover the ledges. We have been promised great hospitality. Freelunches and an opportunity to stay overnight on Saturday in abunkhouse in the grounds.NB: By Thursday please let Peter know if you are coming and if youwish to stay overnight so we can let our hosts know the numbers forcatering etc. Later and you may need to bring your own lunch.

Springhead OS 183

Sunday 18 November: Upton Wood, Purbeck-Poole borderOur visits over recent years have involved digging out and reforming the boundary ditch and banks, cuttingscrub from the mire and beating back a familiar foe – rhododendron – in the woodland. On this visit therewill be more scrub bashing, with rhody once again the target. See 6 September task for map and moredetails.

Ashley Heath OS 195

Meet & ParkSpringheadST 873 169

Meet atForestryCommissionOffice

Meet & ParkOn RoadsideSY 988 826