The aim of the group is to reverse the
decline of the copse and ensure its survival for future generations.
To create a window in time to show how the copse was managed in the past.
The Friends of Priors Hill Copse - Ancient Woodland in Butlocks Heath
Priors Hill Copse is an area of ancient woodland, a beauty spot and a site of importance for Nature Conservation.
For many years it has been the intention to reintroduce a system of coppicing but budgetary constraints have made this a rather sporadic venture. Coppicing is a long established system of woodland management, which seems to produce the best habitat for many species of flora and fauna. An eight-year cycle is preferred.
Hound Parish Council (Sue Hobbs Parish Clerk) invited local parish residents to take an interest in the welfare of the Copse. They had support and advice from One Community (Carol Grant) and BTCV (Katy Dudman) in the awareness raising process. After a couple of local meetings the Friends of Priors Hill Copse group formed in July 2008. Prime objectives were to raise funds and provide the necessary level of woodland management that would ensure its health, at the same time preserving natural habitat.
Three officers were appointed: -
Chairman Michael Presswell
Secretary Dick Walters
Treasurer Sandra Leach
A ‘Constitution’ and ‘Health & Safety Policy’ were drafted and agreed by members. Funds were raised enabling Third Party Insurance to be put in place and tools purchased for the group. Since then regular meetings have been held to ensure progress. All interested parties are kept up to date with our plans & achievements.
Our first workday took place on the 8th December 2008 when a general clear up took place along with some light thinning of holly.
Working closely with Hound Parish Council and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) we were working again on Sunday 1st February, clearing holly thicket from one of the designated coppice areas.
At this stage our intention was primarily to tackle the holly infestation. Once this is underway we can take a decision about what is the right time to begin the eight-year cyclical coppicing regime. Some of the Coupes have had holly removed in the past so we should be able to complete this essential part of the project by the end of 2013 when we should be able to see signs of regeneration. The HPC grounds men chipped cut materials from this workday. Eventually chipped materials will be used to improve pathways.
In March we had a lovely display of Wood Anemones, (Anemone nemorosa) quite prolific.
We had help from the Netley Guides in a clear up day on the 19th April 2009. The purpose of the day was to cut back holly that was obscuring one of the main paths through the copse. Later that month we had the first of what was to be a superb display of bluebells. They were at their best in early May. There were a few clumps of Spanish Bluebells spotted and we plan to eradicate them next spring.
We have not seen much regeneration in the coupe that was cut earlier in 2009. However Speckled Wood butterflies (Pararge aegeria) were quite numerous where we had been working.
Our concerns are that the intense shade caused by the holly plants over several years has damaged the natural regeneration capabilities of required species within the copse. It may be necessary to give nature a helping hand by introducing saplings that have the right provenance. To help in this respect Dick Walters organised a seed gathering Sunday on the 27th September 2009. With the help and support of the local guides he is raising saplings from those seeds that can be used for any necessary infill.
On the same day (27th September 2009) a second FOPHC team removed broken glass and rubbish from the area adjoining the allotments where a hedge was to be reinstated.
On December 5th 2009 Dick Walters and Charlie Moore planted 45 saplings in the BBC ‘Tree O Clock’ national tree planting event. Whilst they had an hour to complete the task it was actually done in less that 15 minutes – a great achievement. Although there were storms and high winds during the night the clouds cleared during the morning of the following day when there was a larger scale planting of a hedgerow with circa 400 saplings being planted, staked and covered with plant protectors. Although the event was scaled down somewhat due to the stormy weather conditions twenty-three volunteers, including members, participated. Members of the local guide group took an active part and with their help we had a very successful event.
On Monday 7th December 2009 a meeting took place between
Jon Stokes Tree Council Director of Rural Development
Dr Paul Howe Biodiversity Eastleigh Borough Council
Dick Walters Secretary FOPHC
Mike Presswell Chairman FOPHC
After two hours viewing the copse we discovered that it is of particular interest.
It has the rare quality of being mainly an Oak Coppiced area
So our Copse is both Ancient and rare and we can expect a lot of interest to be shown in our project.
The main focus of our management plan must change, although we will still want to reduce the amount of holly thicket. The ground immediately circling any ancient Oak tree boles that have been either coppiced or pollarded will be haloed (cleared). It may be that an initiative may be taken to re-introduce oak coppicing but on a much longer cycle (20 years minimum). This work should not be entrusted to a conventional tree surgeon. Specialist skills must be engaged.
Historical data is needed as is a mapping of the copse showing exactly where ancient examples are located and the intensity of their distribution.
The intention is that we do no oak pollarding/coppicing for at least a year whilst we are fact gathering. If it goes ahead it will be on an experimental basis. Reducing the canopy by pollarding/coppicing will improve the chances of regeneration and diversity within the copse.
Our responsibilities have increased and I feel it incumbent upon us to preserve the historic nature of the copse. Jon Stokes urged us to map the copse more thoroughly with particular care taken over the location and intensity of oak coppice. It would be helpful if some historic data could be uncovered including maps. We may have access to historical records made available to us by the Woodland Trust. I will see if anything is immediately available to us from Ordnance Survey.
It was suggested that we get an archaeologist to take a look at the boundaries to the copse and see if he can give us an estimate of age.
Paul Howe offered to do a survey to identify bird life in the copse. We should look to extend our activities to include insect life, bat survey, mammals, flora and fungi.
If, as anticipated, we go ahead with an oak coppicing regime we will have to carefully manage and cater for the concerns of local residents. Of course the best way is for them to take an interest now and voice any concerns at our meetings.
On Wednesday the 6th January 2010 a ‘Wednesday Conservationists’ work force led by Bernie Stirzaker tackled the reduction of holly in two more of the coupes. The intention is to follow this up with FOPHC volunteer labour, deal with any residual holly and tidy where necessary.
We need more members – if you are interested and would like to take part contact: -
Dick Walters 078118821113 (dick@growingnative.org.uk) or
Mike Presswell 07807595779 (michaelpresswell@googlemail.com)