On a damp dull morning I was surprised to find16 volunteers turned up in the fog raring to go and get warmed up coppicing.
Not only will opening up the rides facilitate the Forestry Commission getting down the track, but this also benefits biodiversity.  By clearing the ground allowing light in, the wildflowers - some having been dormant for years - will grow; this in turn encourages insects which pollinate the flowers but in turn may be in the food chain for birds and other animals.

We hadn’t worked on the verges at this point for years, so the coppice regrowth was closing in on the track and filling the ditches either side. We spread out along the ride from the gate to start work, with Nick getting a fire going in no time. Using bow saws and loppers we set to opening the rides and dragging the cut material to the fire site, where it was cut up and burnt.  The larger boughs were stacked in nature piles further into the wood.

At tea beak the mince pies I had made didn’t last long and Richard brought a load which we had at lunch time; well, we needed the extra energy to keep going.

Even though most of the day we had that fine drizzle rain, everyone was happy to get out, get some exercise and see people we haven’t seen for a while and of course do something worthwhile.
A good day's work by all. 
​Happy Christmas to you.
Jeff