The Tottington Woodlanders

Welcome to the latest update from the Woodlanders, with the start of the winter work programme just a couple of weeks away it seems that time is rushing by.

I have just come back from spending a morning working in the wood, it started cold and misty but the sun burnt its way through. As I was sitting enjoying a welcome flask of tea the sun was shining, a robin was flying through the cover and singing. The recent cooler nights combined with the shorter daylight have started to turn the colour of the leaves, and as I sat there a lot of the ash leaves were falling to the
ground; very similar to flakes of snow. A lot of people reckon spring is the best season, but I reckon that autumn is equal in its beauty. With all the depressing news you read or hear about every day, it is so refreshing to get outside and enjoy the British countryside in autumn. Maybe with less money about, people might realise that the simpler things in life, like the sounds, sight and smells of an English wood in autumn cost very little and are there whatever else is happening in the world.

Autumn is not just about the leaves but also fungi can put on a good show if the weather is favourable for them. There is a chance to see birds feeding on the autumn harvest and any winter visitors. Also autumn sees one of natures best displays – the deer rut. Should you be out and about in woodland in the next few weeks and hear roaring this is likely to be a fallow buck marking his territory, seeing-off newcomers and trying to impress the fallow does. Even though Ii have heard and seen Red, Sika and fallow deer rutting it is something which still excites me and reminds me that autumn is here and winter not far away.

As I write this, the Woodlanders have now finished their show programme and even with the dull and wet summer it has been a successful season and enjoyable, even when the cold and rain made it feel more like winter. Many thanks to all the volunteers who turned out to help during the last few months in whatever capacity, if it wasn’t for all these endeavours we wouldn’t have the funds to carry on all our work.

The funds we have raised enable us to put on two events – a craft afternoon and the Wassail (earlier than normal this year due to commitments for the Patcham Silver Band.) The craft afternoon on November 9th is both a chance for you to see and maybe have a go at making a variety of Christmas decorations. Maybe with the credit crunch, people will be looking for some more rustic and homemade items this Christmas, and what better way to spend an afternoon then learning a new skill. Also you may feel inspired to make something for the Woodlanders to sell and this is a good way of supporting the group.

I will finish as I started talking about the winter work programme this is due to start on 26th October (see details on our calendar), this is really what the group is about and is the most important function we carry out. I hope to see most of you in the next few months in the wood (on Sundays) or at the Wassail or at our craft afternoon.

Regards,
Chris Burchell Coliins
Chairman