Oddly, however, because the spring has been so cold, my forecast that we would return to a tangled mass of brambles covering the paths was not realised. And the bluebells were at their best - about a fortnight late. So we made use of the brambly reprieve to take things easy and replaced two dodgy treads on the big bridge, finished laying a number of different treads on the causeway, and dug three animal exits.

The latter job was necessary because our neighbour has extended his chain-link fence next to the reserve, for about 250 yards (metres). So to enable mammals like foxes, badgers and hedgehogs to come into the reserve we dig exits beneath the fence to let them through. Otherwise there would be a "wall" of something like half-a-mile round the reserve to keep animals out. I hasten to add that our neighbour wants the fence to keep walkers out, not particularly to keep animals in!

Now, here is a grand piece of news. A Heathfield charity has given Selwyn's Wood a mower. I have been hankering for one for some years to try to get on top of the brambles on the rides and paths. We are so delighted because eventually we will be able to get round once a year to ensure that there will be more grass and flowers in the spring and summer. The time saved will enable us to do more proper conservation work rather than spend all the time on maintenance.

The mower is of the cutter-bar sort - it works like a garden hedge cutter - and is somewhat of an old-fashioned tool, unlike the popular but revolting rotary mower, which cuts everything, including frogs, because they are so fast. But more of the mower next time...

John Hall © 2001