The monthly conservation session with the Friends of Lesnes Abbey and Woods is always a feel-good Sunday morning!

Coming from volunteering at junior parkrun just a stone's throw away, we grabbed a coffee from Chestnuts Kiosk before signing in with Paul, who was leading today’s session. Once the rest of the FOLAW volunteers arrived, we set off towards The Heath. Pushing a wheelbarrow full of tools uphill through the woods definitely got the heart rate going 💪. It was a lovely walk with swathes of bluebells lining the path on both sides. Stunning.

Once at the top, Paul gave us a quick refresher on tool safety - short and sweet since we were all regulars - and we got to work cutting back holly and brambles, and pulling up creeping ivy and honeysuckle. There wasn't any bracken to battle this time as it's a bit early in the season, but there was still plenty to keep us busy!

This is an ongoing project to clear more invasive plants so that native heather can thrive and give a more diverse habitat for wildlife.

Every so often we loaded up the wheelbarrow and transported the cuttings to a nearby pile where they’ll rot down naturally. GoodGym strength training in action!

No sign of the Easter Bunny, but we did spot a slow worm hiding under one of the shelters in the undergrowth. Now that was an Easter treat!