Work Party at Studham Common

On Saturday 22nd January about 16 of the Boggies again joined the Friends of Studham Common for their Winter Work Party. In total about 58 people turned out to help the conservation group's work.

This is the tail end of the bonfire which was situated at the top furthest corner of the common. We reckoned those up there had earned their vituals just be walking all the way there and back!
A cuppa before getting back to the tasks.

As usual the day began with a hearty breakfast before starting on our various tasks, ie planting 80 whips and 50 gorse plants and which used to be quite common on the common, clearing back dead and intrusive shrub such as brambles and blackthorn (the one that gives all the white blossom and sloes with some vicious spikes), clearing spaces for the native wild flowers such as orchids,and clearing scrub from the Jubilee Copse clearing it all up and burning it off at a couple of large bonfires. We were given 11ses and then provided with an enormous hot cooked dinner before more drinks and cake mid afternoon. Good food, plenty of exercise, fresh air (if you weren't too near the bonfire) and lots of friendly people, what more could we ask for?

Here is a copy of an email the FOSC have asked us to circulate.

THANK YOU everyone for turning it out on such a miserable day and working so hard for the Common and its wildlife. It was a great turn out, and once we got going, the rain and the mud didn't seem so bad, sustained as we were by Don's Special Porridge and the other wonderful goodies produced by our Michelin-starred (well, they ought to be anyway!) Catering Team. I want also to re-iterate my thanks to Don Grozier and his team for all the planning and preparation they put into making the day such a success.

LOST PROPERTY: Don, lucky man, has acquired a pair of black leather ladies ankle boots, and a blue Chelsea bobble hat. If you wish to reclaim them, please call him on 01582 872937

If you (eg Steve Halton for P3 members, Sue Jenkins for Bogtrotters, John Creasey for May Day Trust) know of anyone who may not be on our mailing list, could you please pass the message on? Thank you.

Warmest thanks once again to you all and if you are up for more punishment, we look forward to seeing you at future work parties!

Best wishes

Pam Rumfitt

FOSC Chairman

pamrumfitt@btinternet.com

01582 872608

1st Weekend in January

On Saturday some of us decided to start the new year by going to a few members houses for nibbles and drinks before 13 of us went to the Red Lion in Bidwell Hill for their carvery and back to Jo's for her excellent apple crumble and more drinks. We may decide to make something like this an annual event. Thank you very much Kathy and Jo for your hospitality.
Then on Sunday 16 of us walked from Dunstable to Whipsnade Tree Cathdral and back to the Yum Yum. Sorry about the lack of photos, I have decided cameras do not like the chilly damp weather too much.

Enjoying walking over Dunstable Downs

13 Members went to the Lake District

It has become an annual tradition to go away between Christmas and New Year (last year the group went to Shropshire).This year it was Cumbria.


This is Derwent Water YHA


Ashness Bridge


Climbing down from Cats Bells towards Skelgill Bank






A bit foggy at times, but not enough to spoil the enjoyment of the Lake District.

The view from Castle Crag

Outside Borrowdale YHA


The lure of a snowball fight was too much to resist!

Derwent Water from above



Beauty of a British Winter Scene


Cold enough for the waterfalls to freeze.