Popular Farm, Sutton-on-Sea July 18th - 22nd This meet saw another trial of a 5 day meet as requested at the AGM. Unfortunately the turn out was, as last week disappointing, with only 8 over the weekend of which 3 stayed until the Tuesday. Thank you to those who attended. This new site on the edge of Sutton-on-Sea is excellent, a lovely flat field, a lovely owner and a coffee shop over the weekend providing hot, organic rolls!!! The early start to the meet on Friday and the welcoming cup of tea was appreciated by the retired fraternity as it meant a long weekend. Friday evening was spent chatting while Colin & Brenda enjoyed a Chinese meal, delivered to the site! Saturday started in brilliant sunshine, but short sharp showers saw the Smiths doing a relay race between the beach and the shelter of a beach hut!!! Before abandoning the 'day on the beach' idea Over the weekend people took an easy stroll over the fields to the beach or to the bus stop and caught the bus to Mablethorpe or Skegness, or cycled around the area. Saturday evening saw a game of rounders with the children and a game of horseshoes. Sunday coffee morning was again a lengthy, relaxed affair before people again did their own thing in the improved weather, before some departed to home ready for the following week's work! Those who stayed enjoyed a further 2 days of improving weather. The low turn-out begs the question: 'Do S. Lincs members want ordinary weekend meets?' We have to use them or lose them!! Thanks Malc

Stickney Farm Park 11th -13th July   I would like to thank the select few for supporting the weekend.  Four units joined us for a lovely relaxing weekend.  On arrival on Friday evening, the first job was to pick mushrooms from the field ready for breakfast on Saturday morning. We woke up to rain on the Saturday morning and some braved the weather to spend their pennies at the nearby car boot.  By lunchtime the rain had cleared and a pleasant afternoon beckoned.  We ventured to the nearby pick you own, to pick strawberries & raspberries for tea, (although some never made the checkout, PC 69 is currently investigating the evidence around Jensen’s mouth!!!!!)  The Spalding crew went for a walk and stumbled across free teas & scones in the church – we didn’t see them for a couple of hours & on their return they came back with doggy bags.  Dick & Di ventured to the nearby parrot sanctuary to see what we had missed.  We had the use of a cozy warm coffee shop for the evening, where we gathered for games, drinks & merriment. Sunday morning was bright.  The longest coffee morning in history began at eleven, where there was lots of chatter & signing to the birthday boys (Dick & Jensen – only half a century between them!).  By lunchtime we had dispersed to do our own thing – we went to the farm park and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves feeding & cuddling the animals, holding Giant Land Snails & playing on the play park.  Although it was only a select few, we all had a very enjoyable time.  The land owner was very friendly and extremely accommodating; it is disappointing that such a great venue wasn’t well supported by DA members.   Many thanks to the Smith family for this report. Photos can be found on the Gallery Page.

Countryside Care 2008.   Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Banovallum House, Horncastle 15 - 17th February The last project of the season was a wet one, working on the wildlife pond at Banovallum House. The pond is used for educational purposes by several local schools, who undertake pond dipping and noting other ecological goings on. Saturday morning was extremely cold and frosty, so the first task the team carried out was to break the ice on the pond!  The sun came out and it was soon a glorious day. Three members with waders and one with breast waders cleared the pond of matted weed with the aid of a grappling hook. The weed was put on a large plastic sheet so that any wildlife creepy crawlies could make their way back into the water. The ladies carried out other, lighter tasks around the wildlife garden, cutting back a large hedge,  repairing some tree damage caused by sheep and removing some old root systems. Well done to the South Lincs team and our regular visitors from Notts DA. Also many thanks to Kevin, the Trust's mid Lincs Warden.   Little Scrubbs Meadow, near Wragby. 26th January An additional Countryside Care was slipped into the calendar when Dave Wilkinson and his trusty band of followers assembled at Little Scrubbs Meadow to try their hand at dead hedge laying. The hedge was constructed along the side of a pathway next to the wood. An area of woodland had already been coppiced, this means to cut back and allowed to grow again. After 2 to 3 years area area is cut back in rotation. This supports various animals, birds and plants. The coppice is mainly hazel, willow, blackthorn and birch. With the allocated area cut, some would be destined for the bonfire, but the other would be used to make the dead hedge. For dead hedge, five posts were spiked and knocked into the ground about a meter apart. The long lengths of coppice are laid between the posts and pushed down forming a dense hedge. It should be noted that these layered hedges are not stock proof, but ideal to support small mammals,  birds and butterflies. When complete the tops are tied in with further coppice woven between the stakes tops. These hedges do not last long, but they are useful and pleasing to the eye   Woodhall Spa Club Site. 18th - 20th January   A good turnout of DA Members as well as visiting units enjoyed a working weekend at the Club Site. The promised trees finally arrived and the planting of them and hedges took place.   Please check the Diary Page for future projects and if you are interested in joining us, telephone Dave Wilkinson on 01526 352847  or davberniewilkinson@btinternet.com