New Year...New Life (200 to be exact!)

12 Goodgymers helped their local community in Windsor and Maidenhead
Diya Singh
Kevin Druce
Alain Tallier
Anita Singh
Lisa W
Jess Smith
Tara Isherwood
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Windsor and Maidenhead

Monday 3rd January 2022

Credits
Windsor and Maidenhead runner

WALK LEADER

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jess Smith
Jess Smith

SESSION ORGANISER

PHOTOGRAPHER

REPORT WRITER

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Report written by Jess Smith

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11 excitable foresters met at Ockwells Park for the first tree-mendous task of 2022.

Jess had collected spades and shelters from the Braywick Nature Centre and with Sheila's pre-scout of the location the gang were good to go, so they shove-l-ed off for the 1km walk to the planting site.

Although it was not raining it was muddy and squelchy underfoot, however, this did not deter the intrepid explorers for the first task of the year.

The first task was to locate the 'straggly lonely' willow where the whips to be planted had been healed into the ground to keep their roots moist. The stakes were then found just inside the forest edge.

Once all the tools had been located the team collected whips, shelters, stakes, spades and mallets and set about 'whipping' the area into shape!

A hole was made by pushing the spade into the ground and wiggling it a bit to make a slot. The whip was then placed into the hole and then the soil pushed back into place to seal it in the ground. A shelter was then carefully placed over the top to protect the young tree from predators such as deer and rabbits. Finally a stake was inserted into the ground next to the shelter and secured to it with cable ties, this was to help the shelter stay in place and also help the tree grow straight.

With all the shelters and stakes used, indicating 200 trees planted, the team collected the tools and made their way back to the car park.

More sessions are available to be part of this great opportunity and build a wood for generations to come, check the GoodGym listings to sign up!


This task supported
Braywick Nature Centre
A community hub to promote awareness of the natural environment.

Working in partnership with Groundwork South, Braywick Nature Centre acts as a community hub to promote awareness of the natural environment with events, walks and talks across the borough, and through educational sessions for school, youth and other groups. The service also offers support for local conservation and amenity groups. The nature centre houses displays and exhibitions on wildlife, sustainability and local history, and has a large classroom for use by schools and other groups and is only open to the public when events are taking place. The nature centre is situated in an old stable block, originally part of the estate belonging to Braywick Lodge. The 19th century mansion house was demolished in 1969, however the stables were refurbished in 1989 to provide a centre for environmental activities in the borough.

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Discuss this report
Tara Isherwood

Mon 3rd Jan 2022 at 2:45pm

Great report Jess, thank you for leading our first mission this year 👍

Amy L
Amy L (she/her)

Mon 3rd Jan 2022 at 3:07pm

Well done everyone! 🌳🌳🌳

Windsor and Maidenhead runner

Mon 3rd Jan 2022 at 3:44pm

Great report Jess and thanks for capturing the various faces I made while planting 😂

Join us on our next session

Windsor and Maidenhead

Help out at Braywick Heath Nursery
🗓Tuesday 9:30am

Help Braywick Heath Nursery prepare for a bumper Summer

One GoodGymer is going - 2 spaces left! 👀