Rain! - and AGM
WilderDE4 AGM 2025
After weeks of unseasonably dry weather, it was great to have a good dollop of rain. Perfect timing for our outdoor AGM, held jointly with the other groups under the WilderDE4 ‘umbrella’ - pun untended! A wet, but extremely positive event.
Thanks to everyone who came out for a drenching… and to everyone who brought such magnificent cakes.
‘Best AGM ever!’
Two years on since the purchase of Wild Maple Field, and totally undaunted by the weather, we held another very productive work party, planting more wildflowers, strimming areas of grass and continuing to excavate the dew pond back to its original cobbled base. In addition, work has started on building a short section of dry stone wall using the rough stone found in the pond material - brilliant to have experienced wallers, James and Steph on this job.
Elsewhere, Jane and Kevin were adding fortifications to the Bat Cave. Wild Maple Field has a number of disused mine shafts on the wild side of the hedge, and damage to the cap on one has left possible access for bats that might be looking for a new residence. We’re adding fencing to ensure small mammals don’t accidentally fall into the ‘cave’. (There is no public access in this part of the field and, because of the mines, the ground may be suddenly unstable. Care must always be taken.)
Our expert ecologist, Ellie, meantime, introduced younger members to the wonders of small mammal tracks - they made brilliant mammal tunnels out of cardboard, insulating tape and a charcoal and oil mix to ‘trap’ the footprints of any mammals looking for a tasty treat in the bait tray.
Another volunteer, Richard Matthewman, has a wealth of knowledge about invertebrates. He has observed an amazing array of characters making homes underfoot. We are extremely grateful to him for sharing his knowledge. His reports are linked on the Nature Notes page. Martin Bennett also joined us from the Ramblers’ and added official public footpath markers to our WMF posts to encourage visitors to stay on the path as the grass lengthens and the breeding season gets underway.
Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers that help make Wild Maple Field such a special place! Please click here to read the AGM reports and AGM 2025 minutes.
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