Reserve Update

Sunday, July 7th 2024

Sadly Foxglove Covert LNR remains closed to visitors due to problems with the access gate making it unsafe for use without supervision. We are doing everything we can to ensure the running of the reserve can get back to normal as soon as possible.

In the meantime, organized groups have been able to access the reserve by arrangement with reserve staff, and we have been able to host some events on the reserve as well.

In the last few weeks the reserve has hosted a number of groups and events despite some difficulties getting them in and out!

One such group was the 1 Regiment Royal Military Police, who volunteered at Foxglove Covert for their Global Charge Day. They spent a morning cutting back encroaching vegetation and tidying up the access track. They then enjoyed a guided walk around the reserve.

Volunteers from Jacobs, Mway Comms, Tilbury Douglas and HW Martin traffic management joined Foxglove Covert Volunteers the week after to help out. A lot of grass has been cut in the last couple months on one of the fields we are now managing for the benefit of waxcap fungi. Volunteers helped make much of this now-dried grass into hay bales using the hand-baler, and moved them to the outdoor classroom to be used as comfy seats for visiting school groups.

Foxglove Covert welcomed two school groups to Foxglove in one week; Brompton-on-Swale and Carnagill. Both enjoyed pond-dipping sessions and guided walks around the reserve. More recently, 1st Richmond Beavers also visited the reserve for a pond-dipping session.

Foxglove Covert hosted another Scything course at the beginning of July, teaching six more people how to set-up, use and maintain a scythe.

And finally, we were visited by South Durham U3A who enjoyed a talk and guided walk around the reserve, bravely battling through some pretty strong winds!

Thank you for the hard work of the groups who volunteered their time and to all attendees over the past few weeks for your patience and organisation regarding the requirements to access the reserve.

More information about how the reserve has been running in the last few months is available in the latest issue of Undergrowth, Issue 63.

Book on upcoming events through the News & Events page - you will then be contacted with details on accessing the reserve for the event.

(0) Comments:

There are no comments for this blog post yet. Why not start the discussion? - use the form below:

Back to Top

Help Support Foxglove

Friends of Foxglove

The Friends of Foxglove Covert is for those individuals, families and organisations who would like to support the reserve through an annual membership subscription. Friends receive a regular newsletter and invitations to attend our various activities and social events.

More Details

Upcoming Events

Access to the Reserve: Closed Weds 16th October ONLY, reopens Thurs 17th

Friday 20th September 2024 |

Please note: the reserve is closed on Wednesday 16th October. Regular opening as described below will resume on Thursday 17th.

We are glad to announce that Foxglove Covert is reopening to the general public on Monday 7th October 2024.

A partial fix of the Foxglove Covert access gate has ensured that the safety features (sensors, emergency stop buttons) are now functional. This will allow safe access through the gate.

Unfortunately, the intercom and remote opening system by which the Guardroom normally opens the gate for entry and exit to the reserve is still inoperable. We do not have a timeframe for when this will be repaired.

Entry and exit to the reserve will therefore take place via key fobs which will be issued in exchange for photo ID (driving licence/passport) to visitors when they sign in at the Cambrai Lines front entrance. These fobs can be used to open the gate when entering and exiting the reserve. They must be returned to the front entrance pass office upon exiting the reserve.

Please note access will be limited by the number of fobs available. You may therefore be turned away at the pass office if all fobs are in use at that time. Please only collect one fob per visiting group and ensure you enter and exit the reserve together.

Please see below for organised events. Booking is essential, as attendees will be contacted with access arrangements ahead of the events.

If you are part of an organised group and would like to arrange a visit to the reserve, please contact reserve staff.