Photo Gallery

Work types. Here in this paragraph are links to mini galleries which show a range of images representing the main types of work we do. Click on these work-type links to see    Construction work,    Felling and scrub clearance     ,   Fencing   ,   Gates  ,  Hedge-laying  ,  Paths   ,   Bonding , Planting

  1. Historical images. The remainder of this page contains a long record in pictures of much of the work of our group back to 2015. Under some photos there is a link to the work description page where more photos of that work have been added at the foot of that page.

Click on an image for a larger view …

Hampshire Hedge laying, December 2024. other task photos

 

Old codgers take a lunch break.   task photos

 

Extension to the shelter that we built 10 years ago at Manor Farm. Task photos here

 

Brambles cut back and cleared to make a broad vista (till next spring). Prior’s Hill Copse.

 

Bare earth revealed as a natural seed bed at Twyford Waterworks. October 2024.

 

Much brash was dragged to the track to be chipped. RHCP, September 2024.

 

Understorey cleared below the oaks. IVCP.

 

John and Dennis trim a felled pine tree. Number 2 for the day. Peewit Hill, August 2024.

More photos at Peewit Hill

 

Happy to get an early finish. Megan Green August 2024.

 

We did this! Manor Farm

 

Progress with earth auger and post driver.

 

Manor Farm.  Progress photos

 

Looking through the rabbit underpass. Manor Farm. July 2024.

 

Tom and Dave reach the end of the line. Selborne.

 

A remnant of remaining fence in burned-out gorse at Hook seashore.

 

Manor Farm, 3 roof extensions.

18 Task photos!

Manor Farm raised platform. April 2024.

 

Megan Green April 2024

 

Employee of the month!   More Megan Green photos.

 

You can see where we’ve been on a wet day in Wendleholme.

 

Mercury Marsh, March 2024 other task photos

 

A group of workers. Chawton. February 2024. More photos.

 

Royal Victoria Country Park fencing in the rain.

 

Brash stacked over Hazel stools in the hope of giving some protection from deer. RHCP February 2024.

Lots of photos here.

Looking North after lunch. Sandy Point.

 

One of our mechanised divisions retiring for break at Itchen Valley Country Park.More photos on the task page

 

Clearing the path for our sponsor, Sponder’s Mede, Jan 2024. More photos.

 

Excavated root balls piled up near the fire on Netley Common January 2024. More task photos

 

The first of several brash piles. IVCP January 2024

 

Chawton House. Felled Ash tree. January 2024.

 

A large wet site with 2 bonfires. Netley common December 2023. More photos on the task page

 

Cleared path. But still full of puddles. Hook Common. December 2023.

 

Teamwork to the fore! Manor Farm,  December 2023. More images.

 

Feeding the fire at Twyford Waterworks,  November  2023.

 

Start of day with barbed wire lost meters behind the brambles.

 

IVCP clearance and oak log clear-up. October 2023. More photos

 

Bishop’s Waltham Moors, September 2023More task photos

 

Hook Park Road fence line cut-back September 2023

Lots more images

so lets get started ..

 

and get rid of the brash

 

It seems a shame that so much of “conservation” consists of cutting back natural vegetation, carbon release and atmospheric pollution & warming.

 

It was a hot day. Volunteers and rangers pitching in together.

 

Sample of cleared area, Sandy Point, August 2023. Task photos.

 

Everyone busy at Megan Green.

Photos for 2 weeks here

Ben scraped off turf then helped fill barrows. More images

 

Workman’s Lane August 2023. Extreme stoney soil.

 

Iain.

 

Barnfield, pathway cut in through the trees.

 

Looking down to the stream. River Hamble Country Park July 2023.More task photos

 

Fence repairs at Hacketts Marsh July 2023

 

Just look at them down there! Manor Farm June 2023. More photos.

 

Hayling Island fence and gatepost, done. June 2023.

 

Close-up of a post. Hayling Island summer 2023.

 

Digger taking the load, Megan Green May 2023.More photos on the task page

 

Outer and inner fence complete. Total 300m installed and one gate.More photos on the task page

 

Workman’s Lane outer fence line, May 2023.

 

The gate team. Stage 1 done.  More photos on the task page

 

IVCP APRIL 2023 More photos on task page

 

Mending fences RHCP March 2023.More photos on the task page

 

Digging hole for new fence post, Selborne.

 

One of our teams hard at work planting, Manor Farm, March 2023.

 

Dennis (and Geoff) doing Monday woodwork cutting beams and planks from oak trunks.

 

Large area of brambles and birch cleared at Wendleholme February Lots of photos

 

Prior’s Hill Copse after our clearance work. February 2023.

 

After 2 winters these steps down a muddy slope are still in excellent condition. RHCP.

 

Look what we did! RHCP February 2023.  More photos

 

Megan Green dream team. 66m of new pathway done over 2 weeks. January 2023.More photos

 

Frosty morning at Megan’s Green. All hard at work. January 2023.

 

A group of happy chappies enjoying the cold countryside conservation challenge.

 

Alpha Labs people getting involved. Warsash December 2022. More photos on the task page

 

Shelter 4. Took 5 guys 5 hours!

 

Layed hedge RHCP November 2022

 

Very wet under foot

 

Reduced team got the binders on 25m of layed hedge at RHCP.

 

At Manor Farm shelter 2 took 6 men 6 hours …
How long will shelter 3 take?

 

Close-up on neat style.More photos

 

End of day 1. Hinton Ampner, November 2022. More photos

 

Starting point for shelter assembly. Manor Farm October 2022. More photos.

 

Broad expanse of the cleared glade. Chawton October 2022. More photos

 

Hard at it in Itchen Valley Country Park,  Ashtrim site.Progress photos

 

Our pigstys inhabited at Manor Farm.

 

Morning, day 1. BW Moors. September 2022 More photos

 

Cleared. With good firewood left to enrich the soil from whence it came. IVCP. More photos

 

One of the fence lines installed at Botley Wood, August 2022. More photos

 

Cutting back along the path. Chawton. August 2022. More photos

 

The nest boxes we made during lockdown in December 2020. Decorated by a local school.

Now installed in Kite’s Croft. 

     

     

Fencing mesh installed. Manor Farm, August 2022.

 

Adding ship-lap cladding and a corrugated roof. Many more photos

 

Total of 66m layed over 2 weeks at Megan Green.  More photos here.

 

Barry smoothes the path with a whacker stick. Week 3 on the Toplands path.

 

Bernie and Iain supervised the grading team.   More photos

 

Working in teams, making good progress. RHCP June 2022.

 

A bench in the shade, to sit on or lean on. Chawton.More photos

 

Some tree trunks are beyond our capability, Chawton House, June 2022.More photos

 

Cleared debris from and dug out a ditch. RHCP June 2022. More task photos

 

Refurbished and strengthened. Selborne. May 2022

 

End of the job. Give me a tool to rest on.

 

Refurbished steps at Selborne, May 2022.Further photos here

 

Coffee-time on a damp day that got wetter. Itchen Valley Country Park May 2022

 

Turning the corner. IVCP.

 

Workmans Lane #1

 

Workmans Lane #2

 

Manor Farm orchard with tree guards.

 

Hacketts Marsh #2

 

Hacketts Marsh #1

 

Kevin applies last staples of the day and Rod squelches off with wet wellies.

 

Looking East. Hook with Warsash coastal reserve.

 

Nearly finished. 3 years and 15 visits to re-fence the whole field.  More photos

 

Hinton Ampnor, layed hedge. More photos

 

Extended cone cover over Hazel coppiced stool.More photos

 

Most of the guys in front of the bonus hedge, Manor Farm.

 

After a challenging task briefing progress is being made at Manor Farm. February 2022.Progress photos

 

Making planting holes and planting two young Hornbeams. Manor Farm. More photos

 

Tree line cleared of scrub. Manor Farm, February 2022.

 

Mechanised removal of arisings. Manor Farm ,January 2022. More photos

 

Preparing a hedge for laying, RHCP January 2022

 

View from the right.

 

View from the left.

 

A large bonfire of damp willow logs. Hamble Common, December 2021.

 

Bonfire slow to start on Hamble Common, December 2021

 

Shorter section finished. Pitt Down December 2021. More photos

 

Smile? I’m busy! More photos

 

Progress at lunchtime, week 1 at Workman’s Lane.  See more photos

 

Harvest of Hazel binders. One of several piles saved from the fire. Crab Wood December 2021 More

 

The thinned hedge, ready for next visit.  More photos

 

A hedge we first layed 10 years ago. RHCP November 2021.

 

1 down and looking good, 16 to go at Twyford Waterworks. Progress photos

 

Sponders Mede gets a new set of dragon’s teeth.

 

Willow thicket can now be seen through at the end of day 2.

 

Bishops Waltham Moors. Cutting back the old Willow. More images here

 

After decades of service Rod resigns as chairman. Tom presents a cherry-wood fruit bowl he turned from timber recovered during clearance at the Barnwood carpark. Well done both.

 

Full turn-out for Twyford Waterworks and AGM. All sitting comfortably and Peter shows a leg.

 

Fixing barbed wire near the end of day 3.

 

Shawford Down 2021 – end of day 2

 

IVCP clearing in progress.

 

Wicor site maintenance August 2021. More photos here

 

Kevin takes the strain of being watched, Itchen Valley Country Park August 2021.

 

Tipping and whacking in progress RHCP August 2021. More photos

 

100m of barbed wire fence replaced at Wicor

 

The long straight section was very muddy. July 2021. More photos on the event page.

 

9 guys watch 1 add the finishing touches at BW Moors

 

The view from knee-high. More photos here.

 

8 Barn Owl boxes we made as volunteering at home during lockdown3.

 

The view from the top. June 2021.  See the task page for many more photos.

 

Basic slog moving hoggin at RHCP June 2021

 

Finishing the new gate at Western CEPrimary School. June 2021. More images.

 

A fiddly manoeuvre with legs in holes

 

Fence line re-staked. Speltham Down, May 2021.  See also

 

Netley Common April 2021. See also    More photos

 

The nest boxes we made at home in December 2020. Decorated.

 

Itchen Valley Country Park. Job done. See also  More event photos

 

Franchises Lodge April 2021. See more at  task photos

 

Shakespeare Infant School mid April 2021. See also Progress photos

 

Rain and mud could not dampen our enthusiasm at Manor Farm December 2020.  See also more mud but less wire

 

Products of volunteering at home during lockdown2

 

Keeping our distance in the wet wet wet. IVCP October 2020

 

One of 2 recovered gates donated by HCS. With access ramp.

 

Always a bonfire. Sponders Mede.

 

Bishops Waltham Moors. See where we’ve been and more photos

 

No prizes for fitting twisted gates.

 

RHCP SEPT 2020

 

Manor Farm. Make do and mend. Sept 2020

 

Netley common looking good after clearance work over last winter. The only ‘natural’ heath with heather in Southampton.

 

The big stretch. Steve working under strain.

 

Royal Victoria Country Park progress against the odds and terrible soil.

 

85m of Wicor fence completed in Monday overtime.

 

Wicor, work in progress. New and old side by side.

 

Working and social distancing.

 

Heading home, stalked by covid-19

 

Tom’s log pile. Sad end for an old oak.

 

Steve works on a fallen oak bough hung up in a young tree.

 

Brush cutters, hard at it.

 

Stepping up to the challenge.

Gate 2.

It’s always well hung with Dennis on the job.

 

Rod adds finishing touches to Brian and Barry’s steps.

 

Not so easy to see where we’ve been on this weeded bank.

 

Like lizards, warming themselves on a sunny bank at Claylands.

 

Twyford Waterworks

 

Always a fire.

 

Where we’ve been, not a bramble to be seen.

 

Didn’t we do well! 160m thinned out and layed over 4 visits.

 

The last branch goes down.

 

January 2020

 

starting scrub clearance at Claylands

 

Burning the cleared scrub at Claylands

 

Doughnut eaters at Manor Farm

 

Trying to return to open heath at Netley Common at the end of 2019.

 

Wide open spaces don’t just happen.

 

A fence and a fire(2) at Wendleholm

December 2019 on the way to Manor Farm.

 

Thinning out the mature hedge

 

Cold and wet but still working.

 

Tidying the finished hedge, Hinton Ampnor 2019

 

Preparation work for hedge laying.

 

Green area 1200 sqm October 2019.        Yellow area 980 sqm in 2018.

 

Hard at work fetching and burning

 

Teamwork – joint firewatch. Bishops Waltham Moors October 2019.

 

Don’t turn your back on a falling tree.

 

Sponders Mede early Autumn

 

Clearing up boardwalk at Kite’s Croft

 

Improved bridge access at Kite’s Croft

 

Lining up for the hokey cokey, Hayling.
The attempt at group telekinesis made post driving no easier.

 

Many hands make link work

 

I’m sure that that’s a dinosaur footprint.

Glyn & Roly put the lid on.

Redefining the boundary along the stream in Durcombe's Copse.

Redefining the boundary along the stream in Durcombe’s Copse.

 

Structure after 2 days

 

Bridge completed week 4

 

Location

 

Testing the Bridge

 

Steps to Bridge

 

Where did you get that lovely sun hat? It’s a good match for my jumper.

 

Wrestling through flint and ancient iron slag outside the blacksmiths shop.

 

Male bonding in full swing (with apologies to Barry) at Manor Farm.  May 2019.

 

Martin’s work style holds 10 volunteers spellbound.

 

Give us a kiss, but no tongues!

 

“To me.” “To you.” It seemed so easy when the Chuckle Brothers untangle wire on YouTube.

 

Fence erection, still at the floppy stage.

 

MondaysRextra gate replaced.

 

The wrong way and right way to lift a heavy load.

 

Kissing gate in its new home.

 

An opening for a kissing gate

 

kissing gate in old location

 

Wicor path 2018

 

Progress. 2019

 

Short Lythe footpath repairs for NT

 

Short Lythe Kissing Gate for NT

 

Short Lythe footpath repairs for NT

 

Short Lythe Gates for NT

 

going

 

going

 

Four fine fellers fixing a fence

 

Itchen Field, end of day 1. Total of 340m worked on over 2 days. February 2019.

 

Hinton Ampner Itchen Field, work in progress.

 

After. Stacked as a dead hedge.

 

Before clearing invading saplings from pasture land. February 2019.

 

… never known to sit on the fence.
Mainwarings hedge and ditch defences coming along.
Somehow I’m reminded of the Tiller Girls!

 

Tuesday overtime

 

The group was unanimous in its choice of Mr January for the WCV Calendar.

 

Hedge Laying Hamble CP

 

January 2019

 

..  now where did I put my keys?

 

Growing

 

You can see where we’ve been. Jan 2019. After 4 visits.

 

Spot the holly – in the dead hedge.

 

Adey gets the silly hat prize amidst strong competition.  Chowtime for the troops as an Elf looks on.

 

On the fourth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Four muddy ducks
Three life jackets
Two Bundles of faggots
And a rowboat on the lake.

 

The highest form of pond life – Derek, Peter and Mike rest on their laurels during the duck pond clearing at Manor Farm.
Meanwhile Mrs W looks high and low for her marigolds.

 

Duck Island Volunteers get to work

 

Manor Farm Man Shed

 

12:37 departure from duck island

 

Bernie wears ear protection

 

After scrub clearance from the island and far bank

 

Start of day

 

Clearing scrub between the trees. Another turnout of 20 guys.

 

Seven guys give support and encouragement as Rod works. November 2018.

 

Yellow areas cleared, 980sqm, at The Moors October 2018

 

Feeding themselves

 

Feeding the cows

 

Feeding the fire

 

Enjoying the best of Hampshire’s countryside.

 

Good turnout at Twyford despite the rain

 

4 of WCV joined with Titchfield Haven volunteers to finish the hedge laying. 16.10.2018

 

Petrol power beats pensioner power (just) when the going gets tough.

 

Week 2. All hard at it on another fine October day

 

Bernie and Dave tend fires while the rest rest after a very hot morning – in October.

 

A big patch cleared and carried away to be burned at Browndown. Week 1.

 

Titchfield Canal Hedge Sept 2018

 

Titchfield Canal Hedge Sept 2018

 

Ah, there it is, at Sponders Mede.

 

There should be a pond down here somewhere!

 

The final 80 meters

 

This will keep them safe

 

Absolutely vertical – nice work.

 

Side 3 completed in Friday overtime.

 

Pond Viewing Platform nearly done

 

The Pier being constructed

 

The Pond before we begin. August 2018

 

Disabled access path for Titchfield Haven

 

Titchfield Haven Path

 

Fencing for Royal Victoria Railway

 

Mind the Train. July 2018

 

Volunteers on the Line

 

More volunteers on the line

 

Child safety barrier for Winchester school

 

Fencing on Hinton Ampner estate

 

Taking shade at the end of a hot day at Hinton Ampner

 

Fence alongside Creek House, Hook

 

New Fence alongside Creek House, Hook

 

Hard work and a long way to haul hoggin

 

Resurfacing Path at Hatch Grange

 

2 Gates for Titchfield Canal path. May 2018

 

15 of the usual suspects at the end of a day at Selborne.

 

Burning Brash at Sponders Mede

 

Woodland clearance at Sponders Mede

 

Barnfield, clear view all through. 9/12/16 – 4/4/18

 

Job complete and cleared away. See StreetView for ‘before’ images.

 

Renewed fencing at Speltham Down

 

Teamwork gets the job done

 

Gate 2 completed by the MondayExtra crew

 

Erecting a steel gate at Botley Wood

 

Creating a dead hedge at Botley Wood

 

Reed burning at Mercury Marsh

 

Reed burning at Mercury Marsh

 

Reed burning at Mercury Marsh

 

Burning brash with panache at Chawton

 

Thinned Copse at Chawton. January 2018

 

Lumberjacks at Chawton – and we’re OK.

 

Barbecue at Botley Wood. Dec 2017

 

First coppicing cut of trees at Botley Wood

 

Removing brash at Botley Wood

 

Brash to be chipped for Manor Farm

 

HCC provides lunch at Botley Wood

 

Stakes for hedge during instruction day

 

Completed Hedge Titchfield Haven

 

Thinning Hedge Line Titchield Haven

 

Hedge Laying Titchfield Canal

 

Privett Church BEFORE

 

Privett Cemetery AFTER

 

Privett Church BEFORE. November 2017.

 

Laying Hedge Selborne

 

Hedge Laying Selborne

 

Fencing at Western School. August 2017

 

Hanging wire on fence Western School

 

Coppicing at Western School

 

Installing Western School Fence Posts

 

Manor Farm Deer Fence Hide

 

Auger Drilling post hole – Newton Rd

 

Aligning fence with new gate – Newton Rd

 

Driving fence post – Newton Rd

 

Straining livestock fencing – Newton Rd

 

Attaching fittings to gate at Manor Farm

 

Installing gates at Manor Farm

 

High fencing posts for Manor Farm

 

Edging path for Otterbourne School

 

Willow Cross fence at Otterbourne School

 

Edging Path for Otterbourne School

 

Cricket Pavilion lunch – Hinton Ampner

 

Digging Post Hole at Hinton Ampner

 

New Fence Strainer for Hinton Ampner

 

Hinton Ampner

 

Hedgelaying at Manor Farm

 

Hedgelaying at Manor Farm

 

Chawton Trailer Challenge !

 

Thinning Copse at Chawton

 

Burning Cuttings at Chawton

 

Warsash Rhododendron Clearance AFTER

 

Warsash Rhododendron Clearance BEFORE

 

New Equipment

 

Team Bonding

 

Mercury Marsh – Before

 

Mercury Marsh Reed Burning

 

Reed Burning Mercury Marsh

 

Pleaching the Hedge Titchfield Canal

 

Tichfield Canal Before

 

Titchfield Canal after

 

Staking the Hedge Tichfield Canal

 

Hook and Warsash Nature Reserve

 

Clearing Rhododendrons at Hook

 

Hook & Warsash Nature Reserve

 

Clearing Rhododendrons at Hook

 

Barnfield Carpark. Started Dec 2016


West Down Chilbolton

West Down Chilbolton

 

Burning Brambles at West Down

Burning Brambles at West Down

 

Coppicing at Megan Green

Coppicing at Megan Green

 

Coppicing at Megan Green, West End

 

titchfield 004

Repairs to Titchfield Haven Canal Bank

 

titchfield 001

Dog Dips closed along Titchfield Canal

 

Fencing Pond at Hacketts Marsh

Fencing Pond at Hacketts Marsh

 

Cowes Lane Corral

Cowes Lane Corral

 

Digging Trench for Fox Proofing Wire

Manor Farm digging trench for fox proofing

 

Manor Farm attaching wire mesh to cage.

 

Hardstanding at Gull Coppice

Hardstanding at Gull Coppice

 

Holly removal in Priors Hill Copse

Holly removal in Priors Hill Copse

 

Seating area in Wildlife Garden

Seating area in Wildlife Garden

 

Otterbourne Primary School Owl Centre

Otterbourne Primary School Owl Centre

 

Hanging Gate

Hanging Gate

 

DSCF0171

Otterbourne Fencing

 

Selbourne 225

Selbourne New fencing posts

 

Clearing fence line

Clearing fence line

 

Laying the Hedge

Laying the Hedge

 

Completed Hedge

Completed Hedge. Early 2016


New fencing material

New fencing material

 

Large Animal Shelter completed at Manor Farm

Large Animal Shelter completed at Manor Farm

 

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