Hamwell Leaze clear-up

I joined the team of other volunteers this morning hacking away at brambles, nettles and bindweed to clear some of the land at Hamwell Leaze. The rather scary photo is of me just about to get started on new clumb of brambles.

This is a stretch of land along the Ruscombe brook just before the fire station tucked away behind the houses there - access either from the end of Hyett Road or along the brook itself.

This site is being improved by Stroud Valleys Project for the use by the community and the brook group are working with them to look at the best way to ensure the water quality and wildlife are improved - but also to improve the use of this hidden piece of public land.

Amazingly Cainscross Parish is the highest density housing in the whole of Stroud District and has the least number of Green spaces. This is an opportunity to improve the access - but it has to be done with care - the current site is sometimes home to undesirable activities - certainly in the brambles I was clearing I counted over 25 vodka bottles and various other drinks - there has also been some vandalism.

The good news is that if more people use the site and local groups get involved in repairing it and making it better then all the evidence shows is that that will usually reduce such problems. Stroud Valleys are already talking to different groups and consulting about how they all feel the site can be improved and made safer for all.

See the 8th June Blog for some of the plans and 21st June Blog for the recent conference.