Category Archives: Uncategorized

I have just been reading Rowan’s blog about the storms, where he referred to The  “Queen” – a magnificent beech pollard in Frithsden Beeches, and it’s fall in June 2014.   The National Trust put up a notice nearby saying that … Continue reading →

With the close passing of hurricane Ophelia over Ireland then Scotland, we are vividly reminded of the storm of 1987. Most Britons went to sleep on the night of Thursday October 15, thirty years ago without the slightest idea of … Continue reading →

In season Dockey Wood attracts a lot of people – visitors in the Springtime for the bluebells and volunteers in the Autumn for the forestry work. This was the venue for the Thursday group who turned up in force this … Continue reading →

Did you catch the Harvest Moon last week? Leaves are falling, the days are getting colder, and thoughts are turning to winter time – it was cold on the hills last week for the volunteers. Autumn is well and truly … Continue reading →

The first Thursday in September started like any other Thursday in the summer for the group of flint “Wallers” in Cromer Wood, close to Little Gaddesden. They had arrived to make a start on the reconstruction of the inner flint … Continue reading →

You know when it is Autumn at Ashridge, not because of the changing leaf colours, but because of the emerging bonfires. They are springing up all over the place – on Piccadilly Hill, in Witchcraft Bottom, even in the Estate … Continue reading →

Forget the exotic trips abroad – gap year students should stay in the UK and volunteer for the National Trust. It’s that time of year, when thousands of young people across the country are making important decisions about their futures. … Continue reading →

Phony peach: the next disease after Chalara threatening to devastate Britain’s trees, and also plants. Xylella fastidiosa has wreaked havoc in the US and Europe and could dwarf the impact of ash dieback in the UK, where at Ashridge the … Continue reading →

Going up to Wardshurst farm or going down to the Coombe, either way it was tricky for the Thursday volunteers carrying out much needed restoration work to the Coombe steps. – new step boards, infilling, with posts and rails. This … Continue reading →

The swathe of countryside above the White Cliffs of Dover could be sold to developers if the National Trust cannot raise £1 million in three weeks to buy one of Britain’s most important landscapes. The Trust currently manages the threatened five miles of … Continue reading →