Task Programme


UpcomingRecent200320042005200620072008

Friday 4 Jul 2008Trail Maintenance Weekend ResidentialExmoor National Park, Devon
We will be working today assisting the West Exmoor National Trust wardens maintain one of their farms in a steep, wooded combe on the coastal Countisbury estate. You'll be deep in the heart of 'Tarka' and 'Lorna Doone' country - windswept moors, rushing rivers and cool ocean breeze .. Cost of this weekend will be around £30 - to include transport, accomodation and food - so if you would like to take part in this project please email 'tasks@ocv.org.uk' asap ***LIMITED PLACES***
Leader: Gary HillierDriver: Jo Gay

Saturday 5 Jul 2008Trail Maintenance Weekend ResidentialExmoor National Park, Devon
We will be working today helping the Arlington Court National Trust wardens prepare for a large, fencing project rolling out this summer. We'll be clearing the fenceline and helping prepare split/cleaved chestnut fencing materials. Cost of this weekend will be around £30 - to include transport, accomodation and food - so if you would like to take part in this project please email 'tasks@ocv.org.uk' asap ***LIMITED PLACES***
Leader: Gary HillierDriver: Liz Bath

Sunday 6 Jul 2008Trail Maintenance Weekend ResidentialExmoor National Park, Devon
A day off from working! Exmoor NP is an ideal place for country pursuits; so let us know what you would like to do. You'll be deep in the heart of 'Tarka' and 'Lorna Doone' country - windswept moors, rushing rivers, cool ocean breeze, the famous twinned seaside towns of Lynmouth & Lynton... Cost of this weekend will be around £30 - to include transport, accomodation and food.so if you would like to take part in this project please email 'tasks@ocv.org.uk' asap ***LIMITED PLACES***
Leader: Miranda RixDriver: Jo Gay

Sunday 13 Jul 2008HabitatLye Valley, Oxford
We'll be working for Oxford City Council on this rare wetland site near Headington. The calcareous fen must be kept low in nutrients to restrict the growth of grasses and promote the survival of wild plants. The Countryside Rangers will cut the grass, sedge and reed with strimmers or mowers. Our job is to rake up the cuttings and dump them away from the fen to prevent the compost enriching the soil. Waders will be available.
Leader: Volunteer to leadDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 20 Jul 2008FencingCrecy Hill CWS, Tackley
We continue the major post & wire fencing project started on our recent training weekend. Livestock grazing is an essential part of the management plan of this chalk grassland reserve - and our fence is an essential part of managing the livestock! We'll be digging in posts, making struts, and straining wire netting - to create a durable, stock-proof barrier. This is a great opportunity to learn or improve a valuable, practical countryside skill
Leader: Gary HillierDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 27 Jul 2008FencingAston Rowant NNR, S.Oxon
We will be helping the Natural England wardens maintain post & wire fencing that contains their herd of sheep. Grazing is an essential part of the management plan to preserve the important chalk grassland SSSI at this popular National Nature Reserve in the Chilterns AONB
Leader: Volunteer to leadDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 3 Aug 2008HabitatSwan Island,Oxford
Working for Oxford Preservation Trust to conserve this spit of land next to the Thames which is a SSSI habitat for the fascinating Snakes-Head Fritillary. We will be cutting back the grasses and sedges, and removing the cuttings so the soil is not enriched.We will also be replacing a delapidated fence which should deter dog-walkers!
Leader: Chris SkepperDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 10 Aug 2008FencingWells Farm, Oxon
Wells Farm is a BBOWT working farm in the Chilterns AONB, managed by BBOWT to grow wildlife value as well as profitable crops! A flock of sheep grazes the meadows to help enhance wildflower and insect diversity, so the post & wire fence we will build over 2 sunny tasks in August will help in this plan. Bring suncream and hat cos it's gonna be a hot one!
Leader: Gary HillierDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 17 Aug 2008LivestockAston Rowant NNR, S.Oxon
The wardens at this National Nature Reserve use sheep to graze the scrub to preserve the rare chalk grassland SSSI. Today we'll be helping with husbandry of their flock - clipping hooves and dagging!
Leader: Miranda RixDriver: Volunteer to drive

Friday 22 Aug 2008Drystone Walling Weekend ResidentialDurlston CP, Swanage, Dorset
We leave Oxford city centre at about 6pm , and travel by minibus to Dorset, for our long weekend assisting Country Park rangers restoring traditional drystone walls. Cost of this weekend will be around £30 - to include transport, accomodation and food - so if you would like to take part in this project please email 'tasks@ocv.org.uk' asap ***LIMITED PLACES***
Leader: Volunteer to leadDriver: Volunteer to drive

Saturday 23 Aug 2008Drystone Walling Weekend ResidentialDurlston CP, Swanage, Dorset
Today we will be working for Durlston Country Park, in the rolling chalk downs of Purbeck. We will be learning the traditional craft of drystone walling. After a hard-day's work, a night out in lively Swanage could well be in order. Cost of this weekend will be around £30 - to include transport, accomodation and food - so if you would like to take part in this project please email 'tasks@ocv.org.uk' asap ***LIMITED PLACES***
Leader: Volunteer to leadDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 24 Aug 2008Drystone Walling Weekend ResidentialDurlston CP, Swanage, Dorset
Today we will be working for Durlston Country Park; where the the rolling chalk downs of Purbeck meet the sea. We will be learning the traditional craft of drystone walling. After a hard-day's work, a night out in lively Swanage could well be in order. Cost of this weekend will be around £30 - to include transport, accomodation and food - so if you would like to take part in this project please email 'tasks@ocv.org.uk' asap ***LIMITED PLACES***
Leader: Volunteer to leadDriver: Volunteer to drive

Monday 25 Aug 2008Drystone Walling Weekend ResidentialDurlston CP, Swanage, Dorset
A day off from working to explore this beautiful coastal area. Swanage has links to the South West Coast Path and other cliff-top walks, a steam railway, a beach, boat trips, a pier etc. so let us know what you would like to do. Cost of this weekend will be around £30 - to include transport, accomodation and food - so if you would like to take part in this project please email 'tasks@ocv.org.uk' asap ***LIMITED PLACES***
Leader: Volunteer to leadDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 31 Aug 2008FencingWells Farm, Oxon
Wells Farm is a BBOWT working farm in the Chilterns AONB, managed by BBOWT to grow wildlife value as well as profitable crops! A flock of sheep grazes the meadows to help enhance wildflower and insect diversity, so the post & wire fence we will build over 2 sunny tasks in August will help in this plan. Bring suncream and hat cos it's gonna be a hot one!
Leader: Chris SkepperDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 7 Sep 2008FootpathStansfeld Outdoor Educ. Centre, Oxford
More info TBA, please come back soon!
Leader: Miranda RixDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 14 Sep 2008Scrub clearanceSwyncombe Estate, S.Oxon
Removing succession scrub to increase and preserve this chalk grassland SSSI that is absolutely bursting with 'indicator species' like kidney vetch and pyramidal orchids in spring. Stunning views back over the chalk downs and Oxfordshire Plain from this steep bank, and guaranteed red kite patrols above
Leader: Gary HillierDriver: Volunteer to drive

Sunday 28 Sep 2008Scrub clearanceAston Rowant NNR, S.Oxon
Our regular monthly outing to Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve in the Chilterns AONB. Clearing succession scrub species to protect and increase the chalk grassland habitat which supports hundreds of species of calcareous (lime-loving) wildflowers, grasses, insects and butterflies
Leader: Volunteer to leadDriver: Volunteer to drive