Garners Field Farnham Scouts

Garners Field – Update

8th August 2020

Garners Field is partially open within the AMBER approved risk assessment attached. Campsite Red to Amber Covid Risk Assessement REV 2

Our Campsite Manager, Ken Powell and his team of volunteers run and maintain the Campsite and they have done a fantastic job during lockdown keeping the Campsite at a high standard of maintenance to ensure safe fun.

 

The decision has been made that effectively it is only the field, activity trail and shooting range that can be opened for use at this time and risk level.

 

Anyone using the site must have their own approved COVID-19 Risk Assessment as well as usual activity RA and this must be attached to the booking form – no one is allowed on site without an approved booking for any reason.

https://farnhamscouting.com/website/Campsite/campsite-booking-2019/

 

This means that the hall, climbing tower and archery wall are not open under this level.

https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/scouts-at-home/getting-everyone-back-together-safely/

 

Hopefully you will have seen that the climbing tower roof has been replaced and there is further upgrades in the pipeline  – https://farnhamscouting.com/website/climbing-tower-new-roof/

We are also revamping the archery wall, currently it has been dismantled ahead of rebuild – https://farnhamscouting.com/website/garners-field-the-crew-in-action/

 

If you have any queries please contact the Campsite Manager: campsitebookings@farnhamscouting.com

 

Ann-Marie Vinnicombe – Farnham District Commissioner

dc@farnhamscouting.com

 

MONDAY CREW – Garners Field Campsite Hedgerow Renovation Winter Project

So what has the Monday Crew been up to:

Garners Field Campsite Hedgerow Renovation Winter Project

This winter, as part of the annual maintenance program at Garners Field Campsite, the Monday Crew have been renovating the hedgerow alongside the River, some 35 metres in all.

The main aim of the project is to provide a natural barrier for riverside safety and at the same time create a wildlife friendly, traditional hedgerow.

Hedgerows are very important for wildlife in their own right and as they consist predominantly of native trees and shrubs, they are recognised as a priority habitat for conservation action within England’s Biodiversity 2020 targets.

Sixty species of nesting bird and almost all of our native small mammal species, especially the dormouse, have been recorded as being supported by hedgerows.  Recent studies have shown that they also reduce pollution and absorb carbon dioxide.

The first stage was to clear the bramble and ivy, no easy task, and then the big dig to remove the tangle of roots and perennial weeds to give the new plants the best chance.

We’ve been very fortunate with the weather which has allowed us to get the planting done during February as this will allow the new trees to get properly established before the summer.

To compliment the existing Hawthorn we’ve planted 9 varieties of shrubs and trees (53 plants in total) to provide seeds, berries and blossom, these include Buckthorn, Hazel, Hornbeam and Wild Crab Apple which will build up the width of the hedge.

We need to protect them from rabbits with spiral tree guards and the ones we’ve sourced are 100% biodegradable.

Once established it will provide the ideal habitat for moths, caterpillars and bugs of all shapes and sizes which we hope will then encourage the birds to make the most of the cornucopia of food and even nest in it.

Perhaps it would make a good subject for the Naturalist Activity Badge, guided tours by arrangement with the warden! 

If you would like to help please get in contact: warden@farnhamscouting.com