The green team made a final breakthrough by mowing the last part of the last ride. Admittedly the mower blades were mostly working in muddy water and, as expected last month, there was really nothing left to mow - most of the grass had been flattened by the rain. By more luck than judgement we had made a good job of it last year, so there weren't too many noxious plants to deal with. Since then the mower has had a good going over to clean, oil and grease it ready for next season.

So now we are returning to our normal winter work of coppicing, thinning and some felling where necessary. Because we have been all behind like a cow's tail - as my old teacher used to say - we have not been able to coppice some largish alders in a steep ghyll which is normally a dry ditch, but for the time being is now a small stream. We cannot easily fell and move logs in the stream, or cut and slide down the ghyll in the mud (a) because I must not place our volunteers at risk and (b) they're not daft anyway. No way!

To help out we'll bring in Sussex Wildlife Trust's hit squad which is a bit like throwing into battle an armoured squadron of tanks which sweeps all before it, in this case with chainsaws, winches, and sheer muscle, to deal with the trees. But even an armoured squadron must take account of the weather, so we'll have to play it softly to get them here at the right time. So we moved on to another job.

Oh yes, I discovered that a large oak branch had broken off and fallen into our little car park during the gales this month. Thank goodness no cars or people were about at the time. I cleared up the branch, reported the problem and the Trust is bringing in tree surgeons to make sure all was well. At the time of writing the plan is to tidy up the offending oak, remove one tree probably split by lightning, and two, old, leaning trees covered in ivy.

I know now that the tree surgeon and our reserves officer agree to differ about ivy. The former hates ivy; the latter loves it for the birds and insects it attracts. But when it comes to the crunch the green team have been told to do some remedial work with the remaining ivy-clad trees to keep the arm-thick stems under control in the future. There's always a new job to be done. Will we ever win!

And here's a thought for the New Year: If you believe we have been all behind with our work this autumn, spare a thought for the farmer. Not just coping with the weather, but the hangover from foot-and-mouth disease, BSE, market forces and all that follows. Happy New Year!

How about a New Year resolution, like joining our green team - it's open to young and old and strong and not so strong. There are lots of jobs - mechanic, pruner, lopper, axe-man, rough carpenter, digger, painter and wildlife surveyor to mention a few. Just turn up for a welcome at the reserve at 9.30am on a Thursday with boots or wellies (not Boxing Day or in the rain). See you!

John Hall © 2002