The Open Days got off to a slow start this year due to the cold weather in the first two weeks; following this there have been good attendances with the sunshine bringing people out of their homes to take in the spectacle of the Warley Place colours. It is still surprising how many local people are visiting the reserve for the first time, may many more learn of this unique Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve. Open Day weekends continue until Sunday 10th April, but in addition we shall be opening on Easter Day (Sunday 24 April) and Easter Monday (25 April). Glorious are the daffodils across the reserve again this year. The bulbs continue to spread themselves naturally and clearly have much better success in each of the meadows where there is less competition for space. Although some of the early bloomers are now starting to fade, other varieties, like narcissus are taking their place. All the garden type bulbs in the reserve, including crocus and snowdrops, are a relic of Ellen Willmott's time and one can't help wondering what she would think of the reserve today. Given that she is said to have been rather bossy, perhaps we are better off without her view on how we now manage her 'garden'. During early April look out for the Camellia, behind the Information Centre and just inside the walled garden; it has noticeably fewer flowers than previous years, this is because Camellia buds start to develop very early and the dry summer last year and the two bouts of snow in the winter have affected their development. All are confident it will recover next year. Also in the walled garden the Magnolias are about to erupt their splendour. On the wilder side at the beginning of April it is evident that the primroses have done well this year, especially on top of the Ha Ha. Although not prolific, it is pleasing to see that they are spreading naturally. On the far side of the walled garden can be seen a large splash of purple lungwort with its dappled leaves, making a nice alternative to the spring yellows favoured by the insects at this time of year. During April look out for white ramsons and wood anemones; also the Rhododendrons and bluebells will start blooming. Richard Barklem, the Warden, has done much work recently making life a bit easier for the generally 'senior' volunteer luddite workforce force by converting a rotovator to pull the large heavy trailer (One or two would like to call them George and Mildred, but Richard will have none of it). Instead of manually pushing and pulling the trailer around the reserve with much wheezing, coughing and puffing there is now more enthusiasm when the trailer is pulled out of the store for the day's work. Richard has also been busy making a chainsaw jig to make planks out of the felled trees. Visitors will see the first product of his labours, two new oak benches outside the conservatory. One of the tasks during March for the working parties has been to make improvements to the pathways. Over the years roots have appeared through the soil and some had become pronounced, so some work has now been done to smooth these out by infilling with soil, also some of the smaller steps have been converted to a slope making walking easier and providing better wheelchair access. More pathways work is to be done during April. Don't forget this year's plant sale at Thorndon Park, 30th April, !st & 2nd May. All proceeds going to Essex Wildlife Trust. | 
