Moor Green Lakes Group
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Updates from our volunteers - 2026
A good turnout of 25 volunteers. Firstly, there was the annual task of continuing the hedge-laying from the river towards the car park; this time starting at Colebrook Hide. Secondly, further along the path, towards the river, other volunteers worked in two coupes coppicing and, where necessary, pollarding (usually hawthorn). At the same time, binders and stakes were harvested for the hedge-laying and the dead hedge.
Coppicing a Coupe alongside the footpath. ©2026 Jane Heritage
Tuesday 13th January 2026 - Hedge-laying and Coppicing
More of the same on the Tuesday with the BVCP team. By the end of the day a long stretch of hedge had been laid. Two coupes started on Sunday completed and a third, further along the path, was also cleared
Results of two days of hedge-laying. ©2026 Jane Heritage
Coupe cleared creating a good view of Sandpiper Island. ©2026 Jane Heritage
Sunday 8th February 2026 - Hedge-laying and Coppicing
After days and days of rain we thought the work party was doomed. But no, the flooding disappeared and the day was dry. Adele, John and Tony worked with other volunteers to continue the hedge-laying started in January. Dave, Roy and Mike harvested stakes in a nearby coupe. Everyone else from the large team of 24 worked on coppicing two coupes either side of Moulsham Bridge. Here, binders for the hedge-laying were harvested.
Adele, John and new volunteer Pauline, completing the hedgelaying. ©2026 Jane Heritage
Some happy volunteers in a cleared coupe. ©2026 Jane Heritage
Tuesday 10th February 2026 - Coppicing coupes along the river path
The BVCP group of volunteers together with Rangers Matt and Sara met at the seat overlooking Grove Lake. Some volunteers completed the two coupes started on Sunday, finishing before lunch with Sara using a chainsaw to fell the larger trees. Further along, towards Grove Lake seat, two more coupes were tackled. It was a race against time to finish the last one as the threatened rain had arrived.
A good view of Colebrook Lake South from near Moulsham Bridge. ©2026 Jane Heritage
A rush to finish the coupe before the end of the day. ©2026 Jane Heritage
All the planned work was completed. In addition, a repair was carried out at the dog steps, damaged in the recent floods. Two holes in the bridlepath near the outlet flap from Colebrook Lake South were filled and Nick repaired a nearby area of bank erosion.
Sunday 8th March 2026 - Coppicing coupes along the river path
The weather was much improved by the time March arrived, to the relief of the 25 volunteers who turned up to continue working in coupes along the river path. The group met at Grove Lake seat. Tony, with the help of Roy and Dave, reinforced the leaning fence near Grove seat. Not before time when some of the cows turned up rather unexpectedly having gained access through a gate that had mysteriously been left open. Three coupes along the river path were given their 10 yearly ‘haircut’ and dead hedges built
Most of the Sunday volunteers. ©2026 Jane Heritage
Tackling a very overgrown couple. ©2026 Jane Heritage
Tuesday 10th March 2026 - Coppicing coupes along the river path
Ranger Sara and the BVCP group of volunteers met at the viewing screen overlooking Grove Lake. Four coupes were tackled; three cleared to expose the whole area down to the lake, a fourth cleared enough to let in more light but leaving a large fallen tree shielding a rather nice, secluded area on the edge of the lake.
Volunteers working to clear a couple. ©2026 Jane Heritage
One set of dog steps into the River Blackwater was becoming eroded at one end where dogs found it easier to get in and out of the river. Access to this end section was prevented using hazel stakes and binders filling the centre with gravel from the river then brash.
Reinforced dog steps. ©2026 Jane Heritage