First coppicing cut of Hazel in Jubilee Wood, RHCP. We worked here in February 2024. Task leader Nick who has written the following comprehensive work description.

Location – off Tanhouse Lane. Those of you who have been before will remember that Tanhouse Lane peters out into what appears to be a minor crossroads: please take the left hand turning and go up a slight incline a couple of hundred yards. Then turn left into the site opposite a mansion, modestly called Hilltop Cottage, through a pair of Weldmesh gates (I will endeavour to be early to open them). The postcode for satnavs is SO30 2SZ and the what3words address is maker/logic/copy.

Parking – please park on the grassed area to the right hand side of the track inside the gates – if we arrange our vehicles prettily there will be plenty of room.

Camp site: Around the corner approx. 100m from the car parking on/around a minor track.

Tools: we will need chainsaws – hopefully 3 as there is plenty of work. Also, a pole saw and billhooks from the trailer. The rest of you please bring loppers, Silkys and bowsaws.

Work Required: we will need to split into 3 teams working approx. 50m apart as follows:

1. Cutting young straight rods from hazel trees to the east of the campsite (“The Wanderers” – cue Dion recording?) Team of 3 required – one chainsaw plus 2 with billhooks. Hopefully this can be completed early and the team can then help out the others. Geoff is expected to arrive after lunch to collect our cut rods and trim them into “wands”
2. Cutting willow trees (most approx. 3”-4” diameter) to the south of the campsite – chainsaw plus helpers to trim and drag felled to form 2m high dead hedge (no stakes required).
3. Cutting willow trees (most approx. 3”-4” diameter) to the north of the campsite – chainsaw plus helpers to trim and drag felled to form 2m high dead hedge (no stakes required).
4. We will be allowed a fire so please can someone bring the tinder/firelighters please.

Other information:

Cakes – I will bring as I had a birthday recently.

Bernie will be brought to join us for at least part of the day in a supervisory capacity from a chair.

Rangers accompanying us will be Joe, Lou and Dominic.

The site has no public access – there may be owners feeding their horses in the bottom field but they should not pass our work site.

The weather is currently forecast to be overcast with the chance of an odd shower.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.