Open Day in the Combe Valley

During the dry summer the Friends of the Combe Valley Countryside Park kept busy. Volunteers from the Friends group and from Groundwork South kept young trees and recently planted hedges alive through a watering roster. Water testing is carried out on a monthly basis for basic water quality indicators. Other activities included removing wood from ash dieback and making raised beds more drought tolerant.

New park structures include a small earthen mount for ground dwelling creatures like solitary bees. It has a small path running through, and a bench on top.

Groundwork South run volunteer projects on Mondays and Wednesdays with community gardening and conservation work and will showcase their projects and activities.In spring time a willow tunnel and dome had been added to the community garden, which settled well and is already enjoyed by children and adults alike.

July to August was the time of the national Big Butterfly Count. Volunteers submitted Combe Valley data. This year's official counts were low because surveying took place during a dry and windy spell, when the meadow was brown and many flowers had gone to seed. Regular park visitors will have seen more butterflies earlier and later in summer, with the Painted Lady (pictured) and Clouded Yellow especially frequent.

The Countryside Park is open all year for nature walks and trying out the new park furniture.

The Open Day offers an introduction to the Park and the activities of the Friends, who volunteer on Thursday mornings.

Groundwork South run volunteer projects on Mondays and Wednesdays with community gardening and conservation work and will showcase their projects and activities.

Outdoor games and refreshments will be available on Sunday 20th September from 1 to 4 pm.

Crafts activities include fashioning animals from card and paper and modelling clay. There will be a woodwork demonstration on bird box assembly.