News

This article appeared in the Farnham Herald of 14 January 2022

The Bourne Conservation Group made a good start to the New Year by carrying out clearance operations in Burnt Hill Wood on behalf of the Borough Council. Parts of this attractive green space had become overgrown in places by gorse, holly and laurel which was impeding access for walkers and joggers. The volunteers therefore opened up the pathways in such a way as to enhance the natural habitat for lower storey plants such as heather and bilberry which will provide substance for wildlife in the spring.

Continue reading “A busy start to big year for Bourne’s volunteers” →

The Bourne Conservation Group wishes all residents of The Bourne, and particularly our members and friends, a joyful and peaceful Christmas, followed by a happy and successful New Year.

Your Committee is very grateful to all who have supported us this year, which has seen us continue to maintain and improve the sites and public footpaths for which we have taken responsibility. Some of our work has been recorded on the website.

At a time when many have been confined to the local area by the continuing pandemic, we have all been aware of the significance of our environment and appreciation of our workhas been expressed by many who use the public spaces and footpaths of our area. We are always mindful of the needs of wildlife in all its forms.

The year 2022 marks the 20^th anniversary of the founding of the Group, and announcements will be made about how this is to be marked. We will use the opportunity to renew our appeals for new volunteers to assist in our work. We are gratified by the number of young people who wish to volunteer with us for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; we need to match their enthusiasm with some new members who will be able to continue the work after the students have moved on.

Once again, we wish you a very merry Christmas.

Although a cold wind was blowing and rain seemed likely, seven adults and five Duke of Edinburgh Award students turned out for a work session in the Old Churchyard on the first Sunday in December 2021. Work on cutting back the summer’s grass in the centre of the site and clearing moss off the roof of the lychgate, two tasks which we had started on at our last session at the beginning of November, was finally completed. Alongside these tasks, Bryan Snashall and two young ‘apprentices’ (Alex and Eleni) set about reconstructing the compost bays, which had become very dilapidated over the years. Meanwhile, Noel Moss and Wendy Scobie undertook some much needed tidying up round the edges of the pond area.

Continue reading “Sunday work session in the Old Churchyard” →

The Farnham Herald has published our partner the Farnham Biodiversity Group’s latest article in the most recent issue under the above headline. The article is included here for the benefit of our members.

Continue reading “How wildlife survives the long winter” →

In recent weeks two major tasks have been completed successfully both of which are intended to have a good impact in the future.

Continue reading “Essential tasks completed in November 2021” →

This article was submitted to the Farnham Herald by the Farnham Biodiversity Group and published in the 28 October 2021 issue.

Continue reading “Farnham’s Wild Opportunity” →

We are early in the new school year, and as in previous years many students are looking for volunteering opportunities for their Duke of Edinburgh Award. As the Group’s activities have returned to normal, we have welcomed some new volunteers already and more applications are welcome.

Continue reading “Welcome to Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme students” →

Following the successful installation of a new bench seat in the Old Churchyard our work on that site has continued apace. The headstone damaged by an over-energetic tree in the hedgerow has been repaired for us by the Stonemason and on Thursday 9th September a small team undertook the annual task of trimming the front hedge. Undeterred by the drizzly weather conditions this went extremely well. In part this was due to our cordless trimmer purchased last year which really proved its worth on this occasion although our Secretary, Richard Sandars, still prefers the traditional use of hand shears. Either way, there is always a large volume of cuttings to be disposed of, which was accomplished by our equally traditional method of a trip to the Recycling Centre with well-filled sacks.

Continue reading “A Busy Start to Autumn” →

This article was recently published in the Farnham Herald. It was submitted by the Farnham Biodiversity Group – credit should be given to Martin Angel.

The Herald has published recent articles from the Farnham Biodiversity Group that drew readers’ attention to the plight of threatened species, such as swifts, stag beetles and hedgehogs. This article is about a plant that is both commonplace and much misunderstood: ivy, and its role in biodiversity.

Continue reading “The importance of ivy for wildlife” →

With autumn not so far off and Covid regulations relaxed, a team of six adults and two Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students met in the Old Churchyard on Sunday 22nd August to complete a number of outstanding tasks. With excellent support from Max Grover, one of the DofE students, a second replacement bench, made up from two rather distressed predecessors, was firmly anchored to give a good view across the site. With everything having grown so prolifically this summer, the willows around the pond were definitely due their annual cut back as was the bramble patch beside the pond which had completely overgrown the pathway round the pond. Our second DofE student did valiant work in clearing weed off the surface of the pond. There is always more to be done but we feel that we have made good progress. Thanks to Richard Sandars for leading the team, with support from committee member Charles Fearnley.