Today we removed ragwort from some of the long grass areas around the sports field at the park, and cut back overhanging branches and scrub encroaching on paths. We also held our AGM at lunchtime. 

Ragwort removal is somewhat controversial: on the one hand it  contains poisons that may be fatal to grazing animals if sufficient quantities are ingested over a period of time; on the other hand it is a food plant for a huge number of species including the cinnabar moth, which depends on it. Hartsholme Park aims to discourage the spread of the plants outside the park, while leaving a strip further within the park undisturbed. 

Despite any mixed feelings, we set and worked hard as always. We can be confident that by helping out with these tasks we've freed up time for the rangers to get on with other valuable work.

At the AGM we first looked back over the activities of the last year and confirmed the committee roles for the coming year. The committee is largely unchanged but Nick is stepping in as tools officer. There was then time for volunteers to ask questions and make suggestions and some interesting conversations transpired. Thanks to everyone for joining in. The annual report can be read here.
​Nicola