Sunday 27 September 2009

Peak district near "Hayfield" 27/9/9

Photo of full bags and the landscapeFive volunteers turned out, and were taken by land rover up into the mists on the moors near Edale cross. We set out on foot from the land rover with two staff, each carrying ten empty 1 tonne sacks. It took a while in the limited visibility to find our target - the site of a minute anchient quarry. After the initial delays we spent the day 3/4 filling the sacks with stone from the rubble associated with the quarry. The mist lifted exposing the wonderful landscape and the sun shone briefly, and the end of our alloted time (some volunteers needed to get back to their families) there were only four empty bags left - 66 "filled"

In due course the stone will be lifted to the top of Kinder Scout for use in the ongoing gully blocking program - which aims to retain the peat on the top (keeping it out of the reservoirs), and by improving the water retention perhaps eventually lead conditions where peat is created rather than lost.

Saturday 26 September 2009

BBC Manchester Tour, 26 September 2009




This afternoon we had a fascinating tour of BBC Manchester. We saw the recording studios for radio dramas, and experienced the oppression of spending any length of time in the dead room. This room is designed so pure voice, no echo or other interference, can be recorded. Other sounds can then be added to give the impression of the required outdoor scene. We saw the set of NorthWest Tonight, which is much more shabby than it appears on TV, and learnt exactly what Gordon Burns is contending with as he chats to us so naturally. It was great learning about all the processes that go on for a show to go on air - lots of buttons and precision timing. During our lesson on presenting the weather, we learned that it is the poor weathergirls who have to speak quickly or ad lib to ensure that NorthWest Tonight is exactly 27 minutes and 45 seconds long. I was the 'lucky' person volunteered to have a go at presenting the weather. It's much harder than it looks, but was an entertaining experience. The others starred in a radio horror story. All in all a great afternoon's entertainment!

Sunday 20 September 2009

20 September - Quarry Bank Gardens, Styal

Three volunteers turned out and spent the day clearing brash from 2 or 3 large conifiers that were removed some time ago. Last post from the holiday backlog - hopefully more detail next time!

Sunday 13 September 2009

13 September - Biddulph Grange gardens

Seven volunteers turned out to work at Biddulph Grange Gardens, they spent the day working near som e recently excavated water features - near the avenue. Again I was on holiday so details are sketchy.

Sunday 6 September 2009

6 Sept - - Styal Country Park

Seven volunteers turned out for a day working in the country park at Styal

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Didsbury Quiz NIght 1 September 2009

This evening the MNTVers tested their brain power in a quiz at the Hogshead in Didsbury. We scored an impressive 41 out of 50, which put us in 3rd place. Our score could have been higher if only we had stuck with Geri Halliwell instead of Fergie and Goldilocks instead of porridge... It was good fun trying to work out the brain teasers in the first round, but then, if it were not for the rest of the team, my limited entertainment knowledge would have left me doomed. I must make time for the likes of 'Hello' and 'OK'!!
There was a good crowd of us and we had a great night, even if we did feel old complaining about the loud music!

Did you know that Paul McCartney bought the rights to all Buddy Holly songs in 1976?