Lots of work is being carried out behind the scenes to make sure that the reserve is as safe and presentable as possible for the coming Open Weekends – the first day being Saturday 28th February, at 10 o'clock. Please come along, but don't forget to wear sensible footwear because, hard though we try, there are inevitably some muddy and slippery patches on the paths.
One of the things that is always difficult to resolve is the conflict between the site's value as a reminder of Ellen Willmott's beautiful garden and its function as a nature reserve. We often ask visitors for their views and most seem to be happy with the current balance but if you haven't commented already your thoughts would be appreciated and would be passed on by the volunteers serving on the gate when you visit.
We hope you will bear with us when parking your car, particularly on warm sunny Sundays. We simply can't enlarge it any more without encroaching on the meadow, but if you park as close to adjacent cars or trees as you reasonably can that will enable us to contain the maximum numbers before sending people to the overflow car park. If you are there first you will hopefully be guided to a place, but if not please park next to a tree and not in the middle of the space – again, to maximise the number of cars we can get in.
As I write this the snowdrops are starting to appear and should be showing well by the end of February. The daffodils are also coming through in enormous numbers but they of course will not show their full colour until a few weeks later, together with crocuses.
Although, except in the case of very strong winds, the reserve will be open, if the weather is very poor with continuous rain or snow then the gazebo may not have been erected and there may not be volunteers there to greet you. If you come in such conditions be VERY careful on the paths because they will be slippery, either wet with rain or covered in ice. Mobile phone reception is not good in some parts so even calling for help could be a problem if you are on your own.
Let's hope for some good weather.
John C
