Ashridge Volunteers

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A large number of the Thursday conservation group set about cleaning up Witchcraft Bottom, part of the original Ashridge Park. The Trust had thinned out large numbers of secondary trees and left them to dry out over the years – they were now ready for burning. This was to be no mean bonfire – it was a beacon. Like ants moving their prey, volunteers could be seen hauling large timbers to be consumed by the fire.

Witchcraft Bottom was originally the main route running south from Ivinghoe common and Ringshall, before the present roads were built in the 1800’s, and it was a hamlet until the late 1800’s.

A Rosina Jane Massey who lived there in the 1850’s was reported to be a dipsomaniac and to have strange powers. On one occasion she went out collecting wood chips and when rebuked by the woodmen, she cast a spell on them so that their axes remained fast in the trees until she was able to help herself to the wood chips. However, the place name of Witchcraft Bottom is ancient and pre-dates this folk tale.

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Dead hedges have become very fashionable at Ashridge. The weather last Thursday was inclement, but the volunteers produced their longest dead hedge to date. It required six machine loads of logs and brash to produce some seventy yards of hedging.

Ben our park forester has been concerned about the condition of the large beech trees at the entrance to Prince’s Riding, at Deer Leap. Regular use of the permissive bridleway (it is not a legal right of way), by walkers, bikers and horse riders had created severe compaction of the ground around the trees, so a radical approach was required by the Trust. They closed the route – a bold move so expect some antipathy from the public! Walkers and horse riders (no bikers), are asked to use the Deer Leap gate, or the permissive bridleway to the right of the entrance. Signs have been erected to inform the public. Watch out for more dead hedges on the Estate – they are proving very effective.

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The Thursday group showed their strength again this week with thirty plus volunteers turning out, along with five staff members. This enabled the Trust to form three working parties. One to repair the dead hedge at the V C which has been plundered by the children. The second to put down a tree mulch at Ringshall, with the larger party clearing scrub and grass on Hudnall common. Presumably this is to restore the common to it’s former state – the Trust did not elaborate as usual!

The Trust reminded volunteers of the need to complete the Volunteers’ Survey – apparently only four people have done so at Ashridge. It would seem that individuals see little point in producing thirty three pages of comment, when they are not likely to be listened to! Are volunteers just seen as a necessary evil?