About
So, the question you are no doubt all asking is are we still running tasks in this heat? Basically, yes we are, once a task day is published we will at least get to the meeting points if it is physically possible to do so, although we will need to adapt how we work to cope with this new normal . So (unless there is a RED warning for very extreme heat specifically in the Norwich area) people can come out and join us if they feel able to. We will make sure that:
We will have spare water (but please bring your own too!)
We will take extra breaks if needed and can retreat into the shade whenever necessary (we will be getting a lightweight tarpaulin for when there are no trees)
We will have suncream available
Please bring a suitable sun hat if you have one and wear clothing that is lightweight and loose but provides covering
Our leaders will keep an eye on everyone for any signs of exhaustion etc
We don t want to have to stop our kind of work altogether, but our main priority will always be volunteer health and welfare.
Having damaged the climate so much that it is now coming back to bite us, from now on we will be regularly facing the sort of conditions that have been normal further south in the world. Other countries do manage to carry on working in these conditions, but we are not used to it so will have to take time to learn how to work round the most extreme conditions and cope with a bit more heat more often. One other option being considered across TCV for the future would be to sometimes start our working days earlier, enabling us to finish earlier. Could you let me know if you think your clients would / wouldn t be able to join us if we left Sainsbury s at 9am during the summer months, and stopped work on site at 2pm? Would this change of hours be difficult for them, or in fact preferrable?
Anyway, back to what we are going to be doing still lots of lovely riverside locations for balsam pulling, from one end of the Wensum catchment to the other, including some secret locations not open to the public. And the meadow management season begins, with cutting and raking to do at Mulbarton community woodland and Earlham cemetery. Then there s clearing old dens at Queen s Hills (will we find a new friend for batman and the lobster)* where we will also be trying to create a brand new path through dense scrub. And there s lots more tasks to do see below!
Best wishes,
Mark.
* Our dynamic duo of minibus mascots!
. Join in whenever suits you.
Norfolk Environmental Action Team July 2026
Join us whenever you can, we do not require any regular commitment to attend. FREE Minibus leaves at 10am from the Corner of Queens Road & Brazen Gate, by the traffic lights and glass canopy next to the big Sainsbury's near Norwich bus station [what3words: single.affair.robe]. There are toilets in the Sainsbury s, so do go before we go. If you would like a lift from near UEA, please ask. Booking is NOT usually needed - just turn up any day, but to be sure of a place on the minibus for days marked BM below, contact mark.webster@tcv.org.uk / 07740 899 691. See end of this document for more info, including details about who can attend (most people). Sessions run from arrival on site (depends on traffic and travel distance) to 3.00pm on site. If you do not need to get the minibus back, you can leave whenever you need to (just let the leader know). Minibus returns to central Norwich by about 4.00pm.
Please try to make sure you arrive at the meeting points (Sainsburys or on-site) BEFORE the published times as the minibus usually has to get going on time. However, if you are lost or running late, please use mobile number 07740 899 691 to contact us on the day.
|
Date |
Site |
Activity |
Site Meeting Point and time (if you are coming by car or bike) |
|
|
Wed 1st |
Salle (Farm Woodland) |
Because I used to love balsam, but It s Salle Over Now. Removing invasive plants from the woods. |
Outside the church (St Peter & St Paul), The Street, Salle, near Reepham, NR10 4SD. (OS grid ref TG 109 248) [ what3words: solution.gathers.contemplate ] Arriving at approx 10.35am. |
|
|
Thurs 2nd
|
Lyng Riverside |
I want to play with my Ding-a-Lyng. Removing Himalayan balsam from this quiet riverside. |
Car park by Sparham Pools nature reserve (marked only by footpath fingerpost), Lyng Road, near Lyng Village, NR9 5QY (OS grid ref TG 073 179). [ what3 words: hood.relegate.renewals ] Arriving at approx 10.30am. |
|
|
Fri 3rd |
Drayton Green Lanes |
Drayton, Drayt-off. Getting this lovely wild swimming spot clear of invasive plants. |
Small car park on Low Road, Drayton (near Norwich) (OS grid ref TG 189 126) [ what3words: riper.customers.shatters ] Arriving approx 10.20am. WC in Drayon Village (via minibus at lunchtime). |
|
|
Mon 6th |
Mousehold Heath |
Brack On The Chain Gang. Back to Mousehold at last, protecting the heathland. |
Car park in front of Zak's Mousehold Diner halfway up Gurney Road opposite the bandstand, Norwich, NR1 4HW. [ what3words: sobs.deeply.charm ] Arriving at approx 10.15am. WC next to Zak s PT |
|
|
Tues 7th |
Drayton Green Lanes |
Shady Lane, Everybody Wants One removing Himalayan balsam from under the trees. |
Small car park on Low Road, Drayton (near Norwich) (OS grid ref TG 189 126) [ what3words: riper.customers.shatters ] Arriving approx 10.20am. WC in Drayon Village via minibus at lunchtime. |
|
|
Wed 8th
|
Dunston Common
|
Dunston Abbey? We will be the servants who master the techniques of path clearing, my lord. |
Dunston Common car park, Stoke Road, Dunston, Stoke Holy Cross, just south of Norwich, NR14 8PF. (OS grid ref TG 227 025) [ what3words: rationing.plunger.petulant ] Arriving at approx 10.15am. PT |
|
|
Thurs 9th |
Gressenhall Playing Field
|
This Sporting Life. Playing invasive Himalayan balsam at its own game. |
Rougholme Close junction with Litcham Road, Gressenhall village, NR20 4DY. (OS Grid Ref TF 967 166) [ what3words: outboard.interlude.glaze ] Arriving at approx. 10.45am |
|
|
Fri 10th |
Blue Boar Lane |
It s All Over Now, Baby Blue Boar. Clearing the banks of this important water feature. |
Junction of Hall Wood Lane (off A11551 Wroxham Road) and Jobie Wood Close, Sprowston, NR7 8UL. [ what3words: lake.erase.link ] Arriving approx 10.20am. WC at nearby large Tesco. PT |
|
|
Mon 13th |
Lyng Riverside |
To The Manor Born? Patrolling these secret riverbanks for invasive balsam. |
Car park by Sparham Pools nature reserve (marked only by footpath fingerpost), Lyng Road, near Lyng Village, NR9 5QY (OS grid ref TG 073 179). [ what3 words: hood.relegate.renewals ] Arriving at approx 10.30am. |
|
|
Tues 14th |
Earlham Cemetery |
Earl Meet Again do know where, do know when (see next box) to cut and rake meadows. |
Meet within the cemetery, on the access road from Earlham Road to the chapel, NR2 3RG. [ what3words: noses.storm.swaps ] Arriving at approx 10.15am. WC in caf behind Co-op opposite. PT |
|
|
Wed 15th |
Smockmill Common
|
The Smock Of The New? Nothing shocking or even new here really, path work and balsam pursuit. |
Smockmill Common small car park, Cargate Lane, Saxlingham Thorpe, Newton Flotman, NR15 1TU. (OS grid ref: TM 218 980) [ what3words: jump.intruding.adopters ] Arriving at approximately 10.25am. PT |
|
|
Thurs 16th |
Netherwood Green Woods |
Off to Nether Nether land. Be on your Metal as we Enter the Sand, man. Saving planted trees. |
At the entrance to the woods near Webster Court, Lakenfields (take Stratford Drive off Long John Hill), NR1 2HB. [ what3words: effort.left.pills ]. Or minibus from Brazen Gate at 10am as usual. Arriving at approx 10.10am. PT |
|
|
Fri 17th |
East Hills Costessey COS |
How much chip could a wood-chip chuck if a woodchip could chip wood? Spreading woodchip around the education area. |
***NOTE WESTERN MEETING POINT FOR THIS SITE *** Woodland car park, other side of the road from Russen Hill estate agents, Longwater Lane, Costessey, Norwich, NR5 0TQ. [ what3words address: baker.flagpole.drift ] Arriving at approx 10.20am. WC at Town Council offices (10 mins walk) |
|
|
Mon 20th |
Longham Claypits |
The Long-ham of the Law. Imposing some rules on wayward brambles and balsam. |
Longham Village Hall car park, Chapel Road, Longham, NR19 2RN. (OS Grid Ref TF 942 160) [what3words: chapels.litigate.send ] Arriving at approx 10.40am. |
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|
Tues 21st |
Queens Hills Community Parkland COS
|
That s Another Fine Mess You ve Got me Into. Clearing up abandoned dens and opening out a new pathway. |
By the small waterworks on Alfred Munnings Road, between Longwater Shopping Centre and Queen's Hills housing estate, Costessey, Norwich: nearest postcode NR8 5EY, OS grid reference TG 153 117 [ what3words address: lows.science.remarking ] Arriving approx 10.25am. WC at Sainsburys (15 mins walk) |
|
|
Wed 22nd |
Poringland Woods |
Bring me your Por, your huddled masses If you are yearning to be free, enjoy a day out of the city as we keep the woods open. |
Poringland Woods car park, B1332 Norwich Road (near Caistor Lane junction), Poringland / Framingham Earl, Norwich, NR14 7QP. (OS Grid Ref TG 261 035) [ what3words: mount.inspected.transmit ] Arriving ~ 10.15am. WC at pub (5 mins walk) / community centre (via minibus at lunch). PT |
|
|
Thurs 23rd |
Mulbarton Meadows |
Gone for a Barton? Cutting and raking in the meadows around the trees. |
Co-op shop car park, Cuckoofield Lane (near junction with Birchfield Lane), Mulbarton, NR14 8BA.[ what3words address: playful.victory.trombone ] Arriving approx 10.25am. PT |
|
Fri 24th |
Earlham Cemetery |
Earl-ing Haaland Scores! Shooting down the long grass to save the wildflowers. |
Meet within the cemetery, on the access road from Earlham Road to the chapel, NR2 3RG. [ what3words: noses.storm.swaps ] Arriving at approx 10.15am. WC in caf behind Co-op opposite. PT |
|
Mon 27th |
Cringleford Willow Centre |
Weeds to the left of them weeds to the right of them a bit of TLC for our Miyawaki forests. |
Willow Centre car park, junction of Dragonfly Lane and Willowcraft Way, Cringleford, Norwich, NR4 7JG. [ what3words address: glaze.again.edges ] Arriving at ~ 10.15am WC on site at Willow Centre. |
|
Tues 28th |
Earlham Cemetery |
The Earl With The Earl Ear-ring? All welcome to help cut and rake the meadows. Jewellery optional! |
Meet within the cemetery, on the access road from Earlham Road to the chapel, NR2 3RG. [ what3words: noses.storm.swaps ] Arriving at approx 10.15am. WC in caf behind Co-op opposite. PT |
|
Wed 29th |
Mulbarton Meadows |
Barton the tailors. Cutting the grass to fit nicely suits you, sir? |
Co-op shop car park, Cuckoofield Lane (near junction with Birchfield Lane), Mulbarton, NR14 8BA. [ what3words address: playful.victory.trombone ] Arriving approx 10.25am. PT |
|
Thurs 30th |
East Hills Costessey COS |
The East Hills Are Alive. With (or without, your choice) The Sound Of Music, we will be cutting back bramble for next spring s bluebells. |
***NOTE WESTERN MEETING POINT FOR THIS SITE *** Woodland car park, other side of the road from Russen Hill estate agents, Longwater Lane, Costessey, Norwich, NR5 0TQ. [ what3words address: baker.flagpole.drift ] Arriving at approx 10.20am. WC at Costessey Centre (5-10 mins walk) |
|
Fri 31st |
Horsford Horsebeck Way |
Leading a Hors to Oats. Cutting back along the stream banks (and paths) at Horsebeck and Oatfield. |
Horsebeck Way (by the junction with Beckside), Horsford, NR10 3SY (OS grid ref: TG 189 159). [ what3words: spellings.thirsty.meaty ] Arriving approx 10.25am. WC at village hall (15 mins walk). PT |
BOOKING There is usually enough space for everyone on the minibus if we are working in or near Norwich, but for some longer trips the minibus might get full, if you wish you can email or text Mark (details below) to be sure of a place on the bus this is especially advised on days marked BM above. If you would find it helpful to ask us anything before coming on a project for the first time, please do contact us - see below. Otherwise, if you are over 18 and don t have any unspent convictions for serious crimes, you can just turn up and join in. If you are 16 or 17 you will need a parent or guardian to sign our permission form before you can get started - please contact us if you need one. If you have unspent convictions for sexual or violent offences, you will not be able to volunteer with TCV (please contact us for a confidential chat if you need to check if this applies to you).
MEETING POINTS If you would like a map, or directions to the site, please contact us. FREE Minibus transport is available from outside stated pick-up points only, returning to the same place at the end of the session. We do our best to keep to time, but due to traffic etc, timings are approximate.
WE PROVIDE All tools and protective equipment are provided, please bring your own refreshments (drinks and a packed lunch) for the day, unless a task is marked L above, when lunch is provided from a nearby shop or takeaway. If a site has toilets available nearby this is indicated on the programme by WC in the Site Meeting Point column (if this toilet is more than 5 minutes walk away we will go there by minibus at lunchtime).
PLEASE WEAR Old work clothes, suitable for the weather. If you have them, please bring reasonably sturdy shoes or boots, and rainwear. We provide work gloves and everything else necessary for the task. You are advised to check if your tetanus inoculation is up to date. PT means petrol-powered tools likely to be in use for at least some of the day: there is usually plenty of space so you can keep well away from them, but extra ear defenders are available for you if you want them. All other tasks are expected to be done with hand tools so should generally be quite quiet.
Contact: Mark Webster 07740 899 691 mark.webster@tcv.org.uk www.tcv.org.uk/norfolk TCV, Centrum, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7G.
When and Where
This event takes place on 31/07/2026 in Norfolk
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