I wonder if Ellen Willmott knew what a pain it would be for future generations – which means us volunteers – when she planted bamboo in her garden. One of our tasks has been to contain it, which means back-breaking work pulling up the spreading roots and digging a small trench round the area in which it is allowed to grow to stop it taking over the whole garden. Oh well, it beats clearing up the leaves, which can be pretty boring, and those roots make a very satisfying crackle when they burn. Actually although paths coated with leaves can look very pretty, they can also be quite slippery in wet weather. This can make the sloping paths particularly hazardous, which is the main reason why we clear them. The lovely sieved leaf mould also brings in much needed revenue.
Colours
The daffodil bank has had its regular haircut, the bracken, nettles, brambles and rosebay willow herb being pulled so that the spring flowers can be seen to their best advantage. The clearing of weeds generally, not only those listed above but also ivy, thistles etc, has to be done with the welfare of the various species of fauna in mind.
A lot of the colour has gone from the ground level at the time of writing, with even the fat colchicums in the old orchard area and the more delicate autumn crocuses in the walled garden and opposite South Lodge mostly flopping over or gone altogether. The trees are a different matter though, the amazing variety of colours in their foliage being something to behold. If you did miss it this year, next year do look at the vivid colours of the Parrotia (between the Spanish chestnuts and the bridge over the gorge) in autumn and again look closely at it in the early spring with its tiny red flowers.
Bye-Bye Tree of Heaven
We were surprised to find when coming in to work one Monday that the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) had fallen over, breaking into what seemed to be thousands of pieces as it did so. Close investigation showed that the base of the trunk had rotted almost right through and it's amazing it stood for so long. Fortunately it had suckered and some quite large offspring are growing close by so we will one day again see its majestic branches reaching up into the sky.
More Hard Work...
As with previous years, a lot of hard work has gone into clearing felled trees, the brash being burnt but the larger parts being cut up and split into logs. These, like the leaf mould, are sold to bring in money which is used for continuing maintenance of the reserve.
The terrace is very nearly complete now, although the ramp down to it has to be widened, consolidated, and generally made safe.
The specialist group continues to meet once a month with a very flexible brief. Originally formed to identify previously unidentified plants, a task that it still carries out, its interests have expanded to include furthering interested volunteers' knowledge of plants; identifying and recording archaeological features as they are found; replacing tree tags that are found to be damaged or missing; checking on the condition of rarer plants, and propagating from them if possible before they expire.
If you want to know more...
For those who want to read more about Ellen Willmott and Warley Place you might like to know that Audrey le Lievre's book Miss Willmott of Warley Place is now available in paperback from Faber Finds. Just ask at the Brentwood branch of Waterstones' – they have some in stock or can get it for you for £15 if they have run out. You can order it on line at a lower cover price but with the post and packing added it is a little more expensive that way.
2009 Programme
Now is the time to ask for volunteers to man the gates during the spring open weekends, which in 2009 run from Saturday 28 February to Monday 13 April. Fiona Agassiz has kindly volunteered to organise the rota again this year so please ring her on 01277 230436 if you can help.
Our annual snowdrop walks will be on Wednesday 11 and Sunday 15 February, 2009 at 10.45 am.
Finally big thanks to those who helped with the celebration to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ellen Willmott's birth and the 30th anniversary of the opening of Warley Place to the public. We are particularly indebted to Rosemary Turp and Dan for offering the use of Wellmead for the event.
Warley Place News
Monday, 1 December 2008
Sunday, 1 June 2008
Summer 2008
Public Weekends
Oh well, let's get the gloomy news over first. Although the first few public weekends this spring were fine, the weather suddenly deteriorated to the extent that if it wasn't raining then it was snowing. This naturally affected our attendance figures severely and tested our volunteers endurance likewise, so thanks to all those who either visited or were on duty and who helped us to raise £3,585 for Essex Wildlife Trust.
On the days that the sun was shining, the daffodils were spectacular, and at the time of writing visitors are marvelling at the brilliant colours of the rhododendrons and commenting on the number of foxgloves about to open up. Spirits are never dampened for very long at Warley Place.
Warley Place Visited by Daffodil Experts
Talking of daffodils, we were visited by Kate and Duncan Donald, two renowned daffodil experts, recently and even they went away suitably impressed by the number of old varieties which still survived.
Rather less welcome was a spectacular show of giant hogweed in May, probably due to the damp conditions. We normally allow a few specimens to grow so that visitors can see what they are like, but if their sap touches ones skin it can result in it becoming very photosensitive and blistering quite badly. We have put up warning notices about this by the plants we have spared.
The crocuses were a little less impressive than last year and we are hoping that the completion of the new fence round the east meadow to keep the rabbits out will result in an improvement. We shall see.
It may have been the spell of wet weather in the spring, but for whatever reason the purple toothwort (Lathraea clandestina) looked very good this year and its name had to be spelled out to numerous visitors. (There is a good picture elsewhere on this website, if you are interested). Toothwort is a parasite, lacking chlorophyll, but does no harm to its host – usually the roots of alder, poplar or willow trees. By the time you read this it will have disappeared so don't bother to look for it, but it's normally by the path to the south hide and in the boating lake just before you reach the north hide.
The specialist research group has been checking that tree tags placed ten years ago are not damaging trees and is discovering much in the process, including what is probably a Paul's Scarlet hawthorn in the area just to the west of the path after the stile into the reserve. In the area by the conservatory, which used to be lawn until fairly recently, there is an unusual seedling Prunus.
Volunteer Work Update
Along with the usual maintenance tasks, one of the jobs our volunteers have tackled recently has been to clear out the gorge to enable the original scheme to be imagined more easily. Tackling items such as this requires much thought. Warley Place is a nature reserve, not a park, and keeping the balance between the needs of the wildlife and showing the history of the site to its best advantage is not always straightforward.
Len Dewell's work on restoring the terrace brickwork is proceeding well and we all hope it will be completed this year. The main walls have been finished and the rebuilding of one set of steps is well under way. The other steps will probably be left to show what state they were in before work commenced. We also want to make the ramp a little wider so that two people can walk side by side and see the finished work to its best advantage. It should be well worth waiting (and working) for.
I think everyone knows how hard Jim and Len work to make Warley Place what it is, but it bears repeating. We couldn't do without them.
Heritage Weekend 2009
We hope you will be able to visit the reserve during the heritage weekend, Saturday and Sunday 13th/14th September, when there will be guided walks at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. This year is the 150th anniversary of Ellen Willmott's birth and also the 30th anniversary of the opening of the reserve to the public so it would be nice to see a good turnout.
Thanks
Talking of Ellen Willmott, Bennett's have kindly donated a new plaque to replace the old rather dilapidated one and by the time you read this we will have placed it in position. A strange birthday present, but I'm sure she would have been pleased at the thought.
Finally, sincere thanks must go to Fiona Agassiz who is stepping down as chair of the Warley Place Management Committee after over six years of sterling work. She will be as involved and busy as ever, helping me as I try to fill her shoes and directing her energies in different but just as important directions.
John Cannell
Oh well, let's get the gloomy news over first. Although the first few public weekends this spring were fine, the weather suddenly deteriorated to the extent that if it wasn't raining then it was snowing. This naturally affected our attendance figures severely and tested our volunteers endurance likewise, so thanks to all those who either visited or were on duty and who helped us to raise £3,585 for Essex Wildlife Trust.
On the days that the sun was shining, the daffodils were spectacular, and at the time of writing visitors are marvelling at the brilliant colours of the rhododendrons and commenting on the number of foxgloves about to open up. Spirits are never dampened for very long at Warley Place.
Warley Place Visited by Daffodil Experts
Talking of daffodils, we were visited by Kate and Duncan Donald, two renowned daffodil experts, recently and even they went away suitably impressed by the number of old varieties which still survived.
Rather less welcome was a spectacular show of giant hogweed in May, probably due to the damp conditions. We normally allow a few specimens to grow so that visitors can see what they are like, but if their sap touches ones skin it can result in it becoming very photosensitive and blistering quite badly. We have put up warning notices about this by the plants we have spared.
The crocuses were a little less impressive than last year and we are hoping that the completion of the new fence round the east meadow to keep the rabbits out will result in an improvement. We shall see.
It may have been the spell of wet weather in the spring, but for whatever reason the purple toothwort (Lathraea clandestina) looked very good this year and its name had to be spelled out to numerous visitors. (There is a good picture elsewhere on this website, if you are interested). Toothwort is a parasite, lacking chlorophyll, but does no harm to its host – usually the roots of alder, poplar or willow trees. By the time you read this it will have disappeared so don't bother to look for it, but it's normally by the path to the south hide and in the boating lake just before you reach the north hide.
The specialist research group has been checking that tree tags placed ten years ago are not damaging trees and is discovering much in the process, including what is probably a Paul's Scarlet hawthorn in the area just to the west of the path after the stile into the reserve. In the area by the conservatory, which used to be lawn until fairly recently, there is an unusual seedling Prunus.
Volunteer Work Update
Along with the usual maintenance tasks, one of the jobs our volunteers have tackled recently has been to clear out the gorge to enable the original scheme to be imagined more easily. Tackling items such as this requires much thought. Warley Place is a nature reserve, not a park, and keeping the balance between the needs of the wildlife and showing the history of the site to its best advantage is not always straightforward.
Len Dewell's work on restoring the terrace brickwork is proceeding well and we all hope it will be completed this year. The main walls have been finished and the rebuilding of one set of steps is well under way. The other steps will probably be left to show what state they were in before work commenced. We also want to make the ramp a little wider so that two people can walk side by side and see the finished work to its best advantage. It should be well worth waiting (and working) for.
I think everyone knows how hard Jim and Len work to make Warley Place what it is, but it bears repeating. We couldn't do without them.
Heritage Weekend 2009
We hope you will be able to visit the reserve during the heritage weekend, Saturday and Sunday 13th/14th September, when there will be guided walks at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. This year is the 150th anniversary of Ellen Willmott's birth and also the 30th anniversary of the opening of the reserve to the public so it would be nice to see a good turnout.
Thanks
Talking of Ellen Willmott, Bennett's have kindly donated a new plaque to replace the old rather dilapidated one and by the time you read this we will have placed it in position. A strange birthday present, but I'm sure she would have been pleased at the thought.
Finally, sincere thanks must go to Fiona Agassiz who is stepping down as chair of the Warley Place Management Committee after over six years of sterling work. She will be as involved and busy as ever, helping me as I try to fill her shoes and directing her energies in different but just as important directions.
John Cannell
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Spring 2008
A report by Fiona Agassiz reprinted from the Essex Wildlife Trust Brentwood and Billericay Group Newsletter, Spring 2008.
The glorious February sunshine brought the daffodils and many other bulbs out very early at Warley Place this year. The crocuses, daffodils and late snowdrops all bloomed at the same time, making a glorious sight for the many visitors who came to our first open weekends in March. Two groups of Miss Willmott's red rhododendrons, one to the left of the main carriage drive and the other near post 6, also bloomed in February. At least one red admiral butterfly was spotted in the walled garden area on 11th February. It is no wonder that Warley Place is so popular in the springtime!
We had lovely sunshine for our two guided snowdrop walks this year, on 13th and 17th February. Between 40 and 50 people joined the walks on each of the two days, escorted round in three groups, with other visitors walking round on their own, and a total of £443.76 was taken in donations on those two days.
Many visitors have been delighted by the small birds on the reserve this year. Firecrests, tree creepers, wrens, nuthatches and long-tailed tits are amongst the particular favourites, while the woodpeckers have been tapping away, often echoing each other, in the Spanish chestnuts and other trees. A lesser spotted woodpecker has been sighted by several visitors and several people have reported seeing a muntjac. The rabbit population, however, seems to be in decline.
A survey of bats on the reserve was undertaken by the Essex Bat Group on 27th January. Eight hibernating bats were found, 6 Natterer's Myotis nattereri and 2 Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus. The group made various recommendations to increase our bat population in the future. Other visitors to Warley Place this spring have included Beth Chatto, Sue and Wol Staines who own Glen Chantry, Mark Flanagan who is the Head of the Savill Gardens, and Kate Portman who is head gardener at Spetchley Park in Worcestershire. Spetchley Park is where Ellen Willmott's sister Rose lived after her marriage, and where so many of the precious Warley Place plants were taken after Ellen's death.
The huge beech tree near the bridge over the gorge, originally formed by planting several beech saplings together, had to have its branches felled this spring for safety reasons. This very old tree used to be regularly coppiced so that its wood could be used, but this had not happened for very many years, so it had become much too large. Carting away the logs and brash from this tree and from two large sycamores which were also felled this winter was one of the major jobs for the Monday work party, which now numbers well over 20 people each week. Very many thanks to this friendly and dedicated bunch of people, especially of course Jim and Len, who work so hard for our enjoyment of the reserve.
The monthly Tuesday Research Group has also been busy, checking and tagging or re-tagging many of our rare trees on the reserve. In the autumn they visited some of the properties once owned by the Willmotts on the other side of the road, by kind permission of the present owners. It is easy to forget that in her heyday Ellen Willmott owned as much land on the other side of the B186 as on the Warley Place side. There are still many fascinating features there from a century ago.
The year 2008, which is both the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ellen Willmott and the 30th anniversary of the opening of Warley Place to the public as a nature reserve, began with the launch of our website, http://www.warleyplace.org.uk/. It tells you all about the reserve, including our opening times and our current news, and it has some superb photos which can be enlarged if you click on them. Please visit it!
The biography of Ellen Willmott, Miss Willmott of Warley Place, by Audrey le Lievre, will be re-published in July by Faber and Faber, in time for the anniversary of her birth in August, so please look out for this. Meanwhile, John Cannell's second novel about Warley Place, 'The Walnut Tree' is now available at the Trust's visitor centres and at Waterstones in Brentwood. We would like to thank the manager of Waterstones, who is not making any administrative charge for the sales of 'The Wall' and 'The Walnut Tree', thus ensuring that all the proceeds go the Essex Wildlife Trust. 'The Walnut Tree' is a completely different story from 'The Wall', but it follows the same format, being partly set in 1920 and partly in the present. It is a very enjoyable and informative read, and I thoroughly recommend it.
The glorious February sunshine brought the daffodils and many other bulbs out very early at Warley Place this year. The crocuses, daffodils and late snowdrops all bloomed at the same time, making a glorious sight for the many visitors who came to our first open weekends in March. Two groups of Miss Willmott's red rhododendrons, one to the left of the main carriage drive and the other near post 6, also bloomed in February. At least one red admiral butterfly was spotted in the walled garden area on 11th February. It is no wonder that Warley Place is so popular in the springtime!
We had lovely sunshine for our two guided snowdrop walks this year, on 13th and 17th February. Between 40 and 50 people joined the walks on each of the two days, escorted round in three groups, with other visitors walking round on their own, and a total of £443.76 was taken in donations on those two days.
Many visitors have been delighted by the small birds on the reserve this year. Firecrests, tree creepers, wrens, nuthatches and long-tailed tits are amongst the particular favourites, while the woodpeckers have been tapping away, often echoing each other, in the Spanish chestnuts and other trees. A lesser spotted woodpecker has been sighted by several visitors and several people have reported seeing a muntjac. The rabbit population, however, seems to be in decline.
A survey of bats on the reserve was undertaken by the Essex Bat Group on 27th January. Eight hibernating bats were found, 6 Natterer's Myotis nattereri and 2 Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus. The group made various recommendations to increase our bat population in the future. Other visitors to Warley Place this spring have included Beth Chatto, Sue and Wol Staines who own Glen Chantry, Mark Flanagan who is the Head of the Savill Gardens, and Kate Portman who is head gardener at Spetchley Park in Worcestershire. Spetchley Park is where Ellen Willmott's sister Rose lived after her marriage, and where so many of the precious Warley Place plants were taken after Ellen's death.
The huge beech tree near the bridge over the gorge, originally formed by planting several beech saplings together, had to have its branches felled this spring for safety reasons. This very old tree used to be regularly coppiced so that its wood could be used, but this had not happened for very many years, so it had become much too large. Carting away the logs and brash from this tree and from two large sycamores which were also felled this winter was one of the major jobs for the Monday work party, which now numbers well over 20 people each week. Very many thanks to this friendly and dedicated bunch of people, especially of course Jim and Len, who work so hard for our enjoyment of the reserve.
The monthly Tuesday Research Group has also been busy, checking and tagging or re-tagging many of our rare trees on the reserve. In the autumn they visited some of the properties once owned by the Willmotts on the other side of the road, by kind permission of the present owners. It is easy to forget that in her heyday Ellen Willmott owned as much land on the other side of the B186 as on the Warley Place side. There are still many fascinating features there from a century ago.
The year 2008, which is both the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ellen Willmott and the 30th anniversary of the opening of Warley Place to the public as a nature reserve, began with the launch of our website, http://www.warleyplace.org.uk/. It tells you all about the reserve, including our opening times and our current news, and it has some superb photos which can be enlarged if you click on them. Please visit it!
The biography of Ellen Willmott, Miss Willmott of Warley Place, by Audrey le Lievre, will be re-published in July by Faber and Faber, in time for the anniversary of her birth in August, so please look out for this. Meanwhile, John Cannell's second novel about Warley Place, 'The Walnut Tree' is now available at the Trust's visitor centres and at Waterstones in Brentwood. We would like to thank the manager of Waterstones, who is not making any administrative charge for the sales of 'The Wall' and 'The Walnut Tree', thus ensuring that all the proceeds go the Essex Wildlife Trust. 'The Walnut Tree' is a completely different story from 'The Wall', but it follows the same format, being partly set in 1920 and partly in the present. It is a very enjoyable and informative read, and I thoroughly recommend it.
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