CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays)
Wednesday, 5th December 2012
Omer's Gully, Burghfield Common ~ Path clearance

In December 2007 the section of the woodland towards Hollybush Lane had been felled. Many of the trees are now starting to regrow but much of the area had become inaccessible because of bramble. It was our task to create paths through this area to provide some access, the initial plan being to make "fingers" from the existing path along the top edge of the wood running down to the stream at the bottom. A new path around the outer edge of the wood was to be created at a later date.

We cleared three "fingers" but as these terminated before reaching the stream because of the deer fence which had been installed to protect the regenerating woodland, it was decided to join the "fingers" at the bottom edge forming what may be the start of the new circular path. We understand the deer fence is eventually to be removed.

Recent heavy rain had left parts of the site very wet so it remains to seen how usable the paths will be under normal conditions. Further work will certainly be required next summer if the bramble is to be prevented from re-asserting itself.