The forestry contractors will soon be starting work on the Eastern side of Holmbury Hill. This means that the timber trucks will be driving on the fire roads beyond the Reservoir (see the map for the route). Please be aware and do not climb on the timber stacks.
After a slightly longer than planned visit to the engineers, the tractor is finally back, complete with our new trailer. I've already used it today to move some old Pine trunks. We've also created a new storage place for the trailer, which will hopefully deter any unwanted attention. The tractor has had to have more work carried out in order for it to pass its LOLA test. This test, though not a legal requirement, would in part help mitigate us in the event of an accident, caused by the front loader. This is an unfortunate extra cost of owning a tractor with loader, but I feel these days we simply couldn't work without it. So, cracks have been welded, new rear tyres, new seat (no longer throws you out on every bump) new hydraulic hoses, new exhaust (no fumes in the cab any more). So I'm very pleased to have it up to scratch, that was until I went to put it away in the tractor shed, and realised the new exhaust was 18" taller than the old one, and it wouldn't fit. Luckily I realised before driving it in! I managed to get the exhaust off and the tractor put away, so now just going to attack it with a hack saw. If all goes to plan I'll start grass mowing later this week, it suddenly seems to have started growing.
It actually feels like summer is not too far away today, with temperatures rising in their twenties. All we need now is a bit of sunshine too 
Those of you that are familiar with my blog posts, will know that on occasion I've spoken too soon when commenting on the state of fly tipping. You'd have thought I'd learnt my lesson, but on Monday I was commenting to some walkers, who were asking abut The Hurtwood, that fly tipping is far less of a problem in the summer and recently we've seen comparatively little. You guessed it, I've just finished clearing up a huge pile on Winterfold!
As the warmer weather is starting to push the grass on, we'll be making a start on the strimming in and around the carparks this week. Talking of carparks, I am aware that some of them are in need of a little repair here and there. I do have a limited budget this year for repairs, and I'll be looking at where to prioritise. I suspect that the slope up to car park no.1 is going to be a first priority though.
Welcome to the new website. Have a look around and let us know what you think. These things always seem to take considerably more work than you'd imagine, a big Thank You to Ben from The ITD and Sheri Johnson for all their hard work in getting us here.
I've been told that one of the keys to a successful blog is to keep it regularly updated, so I’ll try my hardest and promise not keep posting things like, “picked up litter” , “did some office work”. The only consequence is the posts may get a little inane from time to time!
For those of you that came to our last AGM, you may remember that I mentioned that we needed to do some rebuilding work around the base of the Bray Memorial, on Holmbury Hill. Today Jennifer and I met with the landscape artist who would be doing the drawings for the contractors to work from. Hopefully English Heritage will swiftly pass the plans for approval and we can get it finished this summer.
When I arrived in the morning to find it next to impossible to get up the slope into No.1 carpark, due to the ice, I was beginning to think we were being jinxed. This was the third attempt at getting some volunteers together, as the previous occasions we’ve had to postpone because of the snow.
Fortunately everyone manged to squeeze in around the gate at the bottom. We had a good turn out of 15 helpers, which was perfect as we just managed to get the job done. I wanted to get the area of Heather in the middle of the easy access track cleared of Birch and Gorse.
Thanks to Ellie from Sayers Croft who provided the much needed hot drinks and biscuits, and once again a big thanks to our team of volunteers. It was great fun and a good chance to catch up.
I’ll keep you all posted by email about the next one.