This month we split our resources into two groups. Russell led one group to work on the Jain tree area which we planted back in the early days of lockdown. These young trees are still at a tender stage and winter can be a challenging time. The group set to work, pulling up grass and weeds around the tree stems to suppress competing growth.

The second group worked on the Tern and Kingfisher hide flooring, levelling and laying grade 1 gravel. They were greatly assisted by the British Airways fishermen, who were on their own work party improving their fishing swims around the lake.

Many thanks to Russell Ball, Nicola Pazdzierska, Ken Davies, Nilesh Dodhia, Evelyn Fox, Tony & Sheila Lee, Rob & Alex Liddel, Nick Gray, Jonathan Drapkin and Josh Calms.

Jack Westbrook

An excellent turnout from the young Duke of Edinburgh's pupils - they continued shoring up the 2nd cattle meadow, preserving the tops and bottoms of the fence posts and putting staples through all the wire that had not been attached to the wooden fence posts when the fence was originally put up.

There was a rumour that the D of E group took a break part way through the morning to take part in wheelbarrow races ( with real people in real barrows),  a rumour perhaps...... but I have the video footage to prove it happened!.

Next month will be the last month that the students are officially taking part in their Bronze Service but we are hopeful that we will see them down at Stocker's again as volunteers or just enjoying the reserve. What an absolute delight it has been to have these pupils from Rickmansworth and St Clement Danes School mucking in on the reserve, many thanks from all of us to Charlotte, Hannah, William, Stanley, Hattie and Mimi ( and thanks to Bob Sherren, although I think he is too old to be doing the D of E Award ).

Nigel Daley