Sunday 13 December 2009

Birch bashing at Dunham Massey 13/12/2009

The last few visits we have had to Dunham Massey have involved taking out Birch regrowth near the carpark. These small trees had grown up since the National Trust took the estate over, because the land arround the car park could no longer by grazed.

The birch itself is not really a problem - but Himalayan Balsam is growing under it, and the birch greatly complicates efforts to eraicate the Balsam.

16 volunteers turned out and spent the day cutting and burning the Birch and some Ash regrowth - recreating a more open pattern of vegitation which should be simplify the longer term aim of getting rid of the Balsam.

Monday 7 December 2009

Hardwick Hall weekend - 4-6th December 2009

Early in day - start of jobA number of our volunteers spent the weekend staying near Hardwick hall.

We arrived on Friday at various times - some had a cup of tea in the pub, others arrived just in time for a light supper of home made soup, cheese, pate, French bread and grapes - while still more arrived in time for bed.

Cleared area with large fireSaturday dawned bright and clear - and we set off on foot to a patch of alder coppice - beside one of the lakes. It was very wet underfoot, but on our second attempt we got the fire going, and managed to burn a significant fraction of the brash that resulted from recoppicing the area.

Where possible wood was saved for stakes that will be used elsewhere on the estate. Although there was some cloud building up by lunch time there was no significant rain until after we had returned to base where hot showers, mince pies, tea, coffee and mulled wine were all available.

We had a very good dinner centered on a local turkey - followed by Christ mass pudding. The evening was then spent in jovial company playing a variety of team and individual games.

On Sunday morning those who did not need to return immediately - had a walk in the park and looked / listened in in at the hall where carols were being sung.

more text / photographs - if I can get someone to write it - and when I can get this computer to behave

Wednesday 2 December 2009

Pub Theatre night 3 December 2009

Tonight we went to the pub at The Royal Exchange Theatre. The studio was remarkably transformed into a realistic pub, complete with a functioning bar, pool table and darts board. We sat at tables dotted around the room while the actors, who were also dotted around the room, discussed their experiences of fatherhood. After the interval (during which we played dominoes) the flirting and agressive behaviour so often seen in pubs were cleverly re-enacted by three actors. The flirting was quite entertaining but the violence of a man to his girlfriend was rather horrific and left most of us in stunned silence. I would have preferred to have been on one of the nights with some light-hearted stand-up comedy and live music but it's always good to experience something new. It was certainly a novel idea that gave us something to think about.