We focussed on a key spot in Penpole Wood in November 2025, one where the middle path had become heavily overgrown with cherry laurel. The steep hillside along the north edge of the woods results in cherry laurel growing lanky and drooping in much the same direction. The thin soils here see the overgrown shrubs pull out by their roots and fall downhill, often continuing to grow when they have.

The spot we started work on in November had all of these issues and had resulted in low-growing laurels threatening to block the route completely. Our volunteers worked hard in slippery conditions on steep inclines to cut and fell the laurel, using fallen boughs to line the lower edge of the path and reduce erosion; here, it had been undermined by roots pulling-out the ground where trees have fallen downhill.

The results have been transformative, and have ensured the area is safer and more accessible for a few years yet. A surprising change resulted from relatively few volunteer hours, and the results speak for themselves we hope.

en transformative, and have ensured the area is safer and more accessible for a few years yet. A surprising change resulted from relatively few volunteer hours, and the results speak for themselves we hope.