Saturday 28th March 2026
There is nothing quite like the sight of a crisp spring morning with the sun shining at Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue, especially when it involves a dedicated team of volunteers armed with spades, shears, and a shared passion for preserving our local treasure.
On Saturday, 28th March, a twelve-strong crew descended upon the Avenue for our latest working party. A huge thank you to Roger, Mary, Lesley, Adrian, Sue, Helen, Patrick, Jim, Stephen, Ian, Margaret, and Dave for their hard work. With three hours of grafting each, that equates to a fantastic 36 hours of manual labour gifted to the trees.
This is what was accomplished in the 3 hours!
Planting for the Future
The skyline of the Avenue is looking even better today, thanks to the planting of seven new Yew trees.. We are particularly grateful to local farmer Geoff Hix, who kindly donated one of these specimens. Lesley, Helen, Ian, and Dave did a stellar job getting them into the ground safely, ensuring the legacy of the Avenue continues for generations to come.
Infrastructure and Safety
Keeping the site tidy and safe is a never-ending task. Adrian took charge of the car park improvements, supervising Dave, Ian, Jim, and Stephen as they installed new log edging to better define the parking area. Elsewhere, the team was busy filling in “ankle traps”, those pesky rabbit holes and divots that seem to appear overnight, to ensure a smooth stroll for all our visitors.
The Great Drainage Debate
While most of us were looking up at the topiary, Roger, along with his trusty helpers Purdence and Cedic (Cesky Terriers), was focused firmly on what was happening beneath his boots. Following a period of heavy rainfall, several areas have become waterlogged, which can be incredibly damaging to the roots of our ancient yews. Roger spent the morning clearing drainage channels and assessing soil quality. This vital preparatory work paves the way for a full expert drainage survey to be completed shortly.
Brambles, Trimming, and Biodiversity
Margaret, Lesley, Sue, Helen, and Mary were a whirlwind of activity, tackling the encroaching brambles and performing some light topiary trimming to keep our famous shapes looking sharp. In a nod to our local wildlife, one dead overhanging tree was safely felled; rather than removing it, we have left it on-site to provide a five-star hotel for insects and small mammals.
A Plea to our Four-Legged Friends (and their Owners!)
Sue was on litter-picking duty, finding the usual assortment of “odd” items left behind. On a bright note, any lost tennis balls found a new home in our ‘Lost and Found’ bucket, available for any dog (or owner!) in need of some entertainment.
There is no Poo Fairy!
However, we must have a word about the “presents” left behind. Margaret and Mary took on the heroic, if slightly grim, task of “Poo Picking.” To put it bluntly: there was an awful lot of it.
We love seeing your dogs enjoying the Avenue, but please remember: there is no such thing as the Poo Fairy! Unless your dog has mastered the art of using a shovel and a bin, we really need owners to pick up after them. Stepping into a “hidden treasure” while trying to admire a 200-year-old tree really takes the shine off the experience. Please help us keep the Avenue beautiful (and our volunteers’ shoes clean).
Every Penny Helps a Tree: The Power of Your Donations
Preserving a historical landmark like Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue isn’t just about hard graft; it requires consistent funding to ensure these ancient giants thrive. From expert arboriculture surveys to the simple cost of new saplings, your contributions make a world of difference. To make supporting us easier than ever, Sue has been busy installing QR codes on all our benches throughout the Avenue. Next time you take a well-earned rest, simply scan the code with your smartphone to donate. If you are a UK taxpayer, please do tick the Gift Aid box, it allows us to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give, at no extra cost to you!
Sustenance and Spirits
By 10:30 am, spirits were high, but energy was flagging. Thankfully, Sue saved the day with a wonderful tea break. There is nothing like a hot cuppa and a biscuit to recharge the batteries before the final push!
Join Our “Survey Team” this May!
We are currently looking for volunteers to help us with a very special task. We need to gather high-quality data and visitor insights to provide vital evidence for the National Heritage Lottery Fund. This information is crucial for securing the grants that shape our future plans and helps us understand the demographics of those who love the Avenue.
Could you spare a two-hour stint to help us chat with visitors and collect this data? We are looking for volunteers on:
- Tuesday 19th May
- Saturday 23rd May
It’s a fantastic way to meet fellow fans of the Avenue and play a direct role in securing its heritage for the future.
Many hands make light work! Or contact us via Facebook message, e-mail info@yewtreeavenue.co.uk or phone Sue on 01780 410382
