Monthly Archives: December 2016

Roll on 2017!

Posted on December 31, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

To all card-carrying countryphiles. If you can believe the press, most of the 82% of the nation who live in built up areas subscribe to Christopher Marlowe’s Passionate Pilgrim – an idyllic vision of rustic romance beyond the greenbelt:  Come … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Flora and Fauna, History, Sunday Group, Thursday Conservation Group, Volunteer Rangers, Walks, Why I Volunteer, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Bee Bread?

Posted on December 28, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Bumble bees build a pile of pollen, then mix in honey to make their bread! What do bees in general get up to in winter time – how do they hibernate? Although honey bees and bumble bees are closely related, … Continue reading →

Posted in Volunteer Rangers, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Christmas crackers 1843!

Posted on December 21, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Greetings, and a very merry Christmas to all of our followers. Culture and custom is what we celebrate at Ashridge. We are probably all aware that Prince Albert , husband of Queen Victoria is credited with popularising the Christmas tree … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, History | Leave a comment

Virgin Scrubland

Posted on December 19, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

On part of the extensive Northchurch common, lies a small area untouched and unloved for decades. Like a corner of a foreign field, part of a common that was exploited over the centuries for livestock grazing and chalk extraction is … Continue reading →

Posted in Thursday Conservation Group | Leave a comment

Ashridge Volunteer Forum

Posted on December 14, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Well over fifty volunteers attended the Christmas coffee morning, at the Aldbury Memorial Hall last Friday. It was standing room only for latecomers. Volunteers can look forward to at least six Forums in the New Year according to the new … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

Children’s Trail

Posted on December 13, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Volunteers are supervising the Christmas trail taking place on the three weekends before Christmas, and the one weekend thereafter. The course runs around the outside of Meadley’s meadow, and the theme this year is based on woodland creatures preparing for … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Walks, Wildlife | Leave a comment

The Flint Wallers Go Round the Bend

Posted on December 11, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

The end of October has brought the building season to an end,  and the completion of about 35 meters (some 40 yards) of flint wall, taking us round the bend in the Horseshoe Track. Having got round the bend in … Continue reading →

Posted in Archeology, Flint wall group, History, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

A personal message…..

Posted on December 9, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at Ashridge. Missing all our friends in the Chilterns. Feel free to pass on this message. We did visit Ashridge in time to see the deer rut a few months ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Messages | Leave a comment

Last of the Line

Posted on December 8, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

The shooting season is well under way in the countryside. The annual deer shoot at Ashridge is nearing completion, but no pheasant shooting takes place as in the old days, because of open access. The last Head Gamekeeper lived in … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, History | 3 Comments

What’s in a name?

Posted on December 4, 2016 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Quite a lot when it comes to Piccadilly Hill. Only the hardiest of workers turned out last Thursday to walk hawthorn scrub up to the top of the hill, for a bonfire. They had a splendid view for the gathering, … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, History, Thursday Conservation Group | Leave a comment