Category Archives: Flora and Fauna

Tales of Trees at Ashridge – part one

Posted on March 8, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Ashridge opened a new exhibition on Saturday at the Visitor Centre – “Root & Branch”. A veritable feast for tree-huggers. The mature forest is really our equivalent of the rainforest. The exhibition will run for a year, and crystallizes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Flora and Fauna, History, Walks | 1 Comment

The Home-makers

Posted on March 3, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

The Thursday volunteers took advantage of the good weather this week to push ahead with the clearance of Northchurch Flats, after the extensive tree and scrub clearance. One group proceeded with the ritual burning of the brash, while the ladies … Continue reading →

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PITSTONE PROTAGONISTS

Posted on January 29, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Pitstone Common Wood, now known as Sallow Copse, close by to Ringshall was the venue for the Thursday volunteers, on the coldest day of the year. The forestry team had been in earlier to cut down silver birch, which has … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, History, Thursday Conservation Group, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Hot Stuff

Posted on January 26, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Climate change is in the news again, as 2016 is likely to be the warmest year on record since 1880. So how is this affecting us at Ashridge? Climate change is disrupting the seasonal behavior of Britain’s countryside. Spring seems to arrive … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, Personal Messages, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Ritual Burning

Posted on January 13, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Thursday morning volunteers again visited the neglected and overgrown area now known as Northchurch Flats – it is far from flat! The first visit to clear the scrub took place before Christmas, with a record turn-out, and it was expected … Continue reading →

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Plant Fair 2017

Posted on January 10, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Dear Volunteers As many of you are aware, I have taken over the co-ordination role of the National Trust Plant Fair from John Cartwright. He has left rather big boots to fill after many years of successful Plant Fairs so … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Flora and Fauna, Personal Messages | 1 Comment

Calling all Rangers

Posted on January 8, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Rangers have been invited to a meeting at the Visitor Centre on Friday 27th January at 2.00pm., which is a change from the original date of January 20th. The gathering will include a short walk around the Estate to view … Continue reading →

Posted in Archeology, Charcoal, Events, Flint wall group, Flint Wall Volunteers, Flora and Fauna, Fly Tipping, History, Litter Picking, Personal Messages, Sunday Group, Thursday Conservation Group, Volunteer Rangers, Walks, Why I Volunteer, Wildlife, Windmill | Leave a comment

Holiday Heaven

Posted on January 5, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Visitors took advantage of the good weather on Monday, the last day of the Christmas holiday for many, to take in the air at Ashridge. Despite the muddy ground conditions some four hundred and fifty vehicles were parked at any … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, Thursday Conservation Group, Wildlife | 2 Comments

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

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