CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays)
Wednesday, 27th April 2011
Kings Meadow ~ Willow clearance

Early each year CROW has two tasks at Kings Meadow, generally the first week in January and either the last week in February or first in March, to harvest willow. In recent years we have had an additional task at the end of April to clear any willow which had not been cut and generally 'tidy' the site. By this time the willow has started to grow and whilst it is no longer of use for weaving it can be used for plant supports and the like.

As well as clearing the willow beds, we took the opportunity to do a litter pick mostly clearing plastic shopping bags as well as bottles and cans.

Willow loaded on to Tricia's car, a nature reserve in itself - at least for lichens, to be taken to Caversham Court and used at the following Saturday's Bean Pole Day event to make plant supports.

As ever, many thanks to all who joined us: Katie and Nigel (who came all the way from Haslemere for their first CROW task), Jenny BTCV Volunteer Officer, both Barry's, Terry, Tricia and Alan. Thanks also to BTCV for the use of their tools and for providing transport for the day.