Thistling Society Work Afternoon + Refreshments

Having tackled a whole field of spear thistles in early May, we are now going to move onto a field of brambles! 

In a field the sheep are currently in, brambles and hawthorns have been sprouting up left, right and centre. For the last couple of years, we've decided to let them be as it provides good cover for birds and other wildlife but they've reached a point now where we can no longer use the field for much other than cattle grazing, and later in the year we will have our work cut out disentangling wooly lambs from the brambles unless we do something about them.

Which is where you come in! Rather than "topping" them with a tractor (which will cut the grass too), we have begun cutting them off just below ground with a spade. Simple, satisfying work - but a bit overwhelming when it's just one man and several hundred bushes. Many hands make light work, so we are planning to tackle the field with a whole gang of us! 

We'll then have some light refreshments back at the farmhouse, and for those who are interested will go on a quick tour of the farm. 

Please sign up if you know you would like come (as this will help us gauge numbers for food/drink, and make sure we don't run out of work!) but we will leave it open for anyone to join on the day. 

We will meet at Manor Farm - parking in the farm yard wherever you can find a space. To find the farm, go through the village towards Somerton, down the hill and as the road bends round to the right, we are the turning on the left. Go straight ahead in the driveway and the farm yard is just past the house.