Island Life Magazine Ltd February / March 2016 | Page 65

COUNTRY LIFE Gift to Nature to manage IW Council’s Countryside Estate! P opular beauty spots such as Brading Down and Golden Hill have been secured for the future following a deal between the Isle of Wight Council and local charity ‘Island 2000’, as part of the charity’s ‘Gift to Nature’ (G2N) project, having taken over management of the sites on February 1 2016. The council will retain ownership of its 170 hectare countryside estate with G2N undertaking management of the estate through a partnership agreement. No job losses have occurred as part of the transfer of services. The IW Council’s Countryside Manager, Matthew Chatfield, is one of the staff due to be transferred. He explained “This is great news for anyone who loves the Island’s countryside – we’ve got a big job ahead of us but I’m glad to report that we will be keeping our wonderful nature reserves and country parks open for everyone.” To celebrate the change and help kickstart fundraising, a Gala Dinner with a charity auction is taking place on Saturday February 27 at Newclose Cricket Club. For more information and tickets call 201563 or email [email protected]. A countryman's diary I t rained so much last month that we all treated ourselves to new waterproof trousers! Not that we are moaning, it’s just one of those things and having new kit is always great, especially when it keeps you warm and dry. Even better after you’ve got past the ‘getting them muddy for the first time’ stage! The Briddlesford Volunteer Weekend is now a firm fixture in our calendar and what started as a few countryside students from the mainland is now, eight years on, over 45 willing volunteers from many parts of the country, coming to carry out practical conservation work at Briddlesford Copse for the PTES. Among this year’s jobs, they had to create a ‘nursery coupe’, where hazel was layered. This is when hazel rods are bent over still attached to their stools and pegged into the ground, so as to encourage them to set root at the points they are pegged. This allows us to increase stocking density of the woodland using ‘provenance’ stock from the same hazel stool. IW Annual Hedgelaying Competition 2016 T his years ‘IW Hedgelaying Competition’ is again being held at Apsedown Farm, Calbourne Road, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Mike Morris. Competitors will be battling it out in three categories: Open, Novice and Team. Even though competition is fierce, the atmosphere is relaxed and jolly, competitors encouraging each other along the way, with advice and cheeky banter. The day offers a great opportunity for spectators to witness a country craft at first hand, getting up close and speaking with the competitors, who are only too pleased to pass on their knowledge. The event is supported by Landscape Therapy, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Gift to Nature and The ANOB Unit. Warm clothing and stout boots are the order of the day, as it can get very cold and heavy under foot. Help is on hand in the marquee with hot drinks and food being available courtesy of the ‘Calbourne Ladies’. For more information visit the website: www.iwhg.org. www.visitilife.com 65