Sunday 29 September 2013

Styal Wood Fair - Sunday 29 September 2013

No workday today, instead we set up our stall in Meadow Mill behind Quarry Bank Mill on day two of the annual Wood Fair.  Twelve of us took turns throughout the day manning the stall and talking to passers-by about what MNTV did, where we did it, how old you had to be to volunteer with us, etc etc.

Beneath Sue's gazebo we covered a trestle table with photo albums and put up display boards to one side.  The photos on the boards were from the earliest days of the group (1990s) but the work they showed is timeless (rhody bashing, footpath work, fencing, pond dredging...).


By the time we packed up at 16:00 we had given out about 40 of our new-look leaflets and hopefully some of those who took them will enquire further about us.  Perhaps one or two will come on the "Recent Enquirers Days" in October?!

The weather was beautiful all day with lots of warm sunshine and after lunch there were lots of people in the Meadow.  At one point Simon Hiley (Styal Lead Ranger) said they were ten minutes away from closing the gates to stop people coming in.  There were several other stalls for the public to visit (wood turning, craft stalls, 'old' tools, Cheshire Search & Rescue) and some things to have a go at (archery, wood chopping).  The Apple Day events were up by the Apprentice House with apple tasting, apple pressing and an appearance by the Manchester Organic Growers.

Thanks to Matt for organising the day.

Sunday 22 September 2013

Alderly Edge Heathland restoration 22 September 2013

Five volunteers turned out and spent the day on a heathland restoration project - removing brramble and unwanted saplings from a grazing paddock - to increase the proportions of "desirable" species such as heather and billberry. Slow heavy work - we recon over the two weeks we may have covered an area similar to a tennis court.  - photo of three vounteers admiring/ discussing the cleared area and the pile!

Sunday 15 September 2013

Bickerton Hill workday on Sunday 15th September 2013 - cancelled

Unfortunately today's workday had to be cancelled due to predicted heavy rain and high winds:-(
We were due to repair fence posts.

Saturday 14 September 2013

MNTV trip to Nether Alderley Mill - Saturday 14 September 2013

Five members of the MNTV group attended our September social where we visited Nether Alderley Mill, which has recently re-opened to the public following restoration by the National Trust in 2012. We had an interesting guided tour around the mill where a couple of NT volunteers showed us the intricate workings of the machinery, together with some of its freshly milled flour. We also learnt a little about the lives of some of the previous millers over its long history, and some of them had literally left their mark in Victorian graffiti! As we were only a stones-throw away from the Wizard cafe, it would have been rude not to pop in for coffee and a cake afterwards, so all in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

Sunday 8 September 2013

No work -so walked instead 8 Sept 2013

Thanks to Matt for text and photos
After failing to sort out a workday for today, four MNTV members met up at Alderley for a leisurely ramble around the woods and fields, passing many former worksites along the way.

After viewing the hedge we laid by the car park over the last two years, we passed Edge House Farm, which is being done up slowly, but in fine style.


We then headed over to Clock House Wood, detouring slightly to inspect the path we worked on last year, which was holding up very well, including a lovely drainage ditch at the bottom which I remember the volunteers  guys down there working very hard on.

As we walked through the grounds of Hare Hill, we saw some rabbit guards that had come away from some saplings (Tim suspected deer activity due to the chewing of the plants). So Marita hopped over to replace the guards, while Sarah helpfully stood at a safe distance, pointing out which ones needed doing. Even on a day off, we can't resist doing a bit of work.

Still at Hare Hill, we visited the tree that we planted in memory of our former member Jonathan Prance, which was doing very well. After heading across the Macclesfield Road, one member,  who recently moved house, took the direct route back to get home to do some gardening and inspect her filing system.

The three of us that remained followed the path to Bradford Lane, lined by some very expensive homes, before returning via some more hedge that we laid a few years ago.

There was just time to take in the view from the edge (the very edge in Tim's case!) of Castle Rock, and pop into a dark cave, on the way back to the car park.


It was warm and sunny, and a very nice way to spend a few hours, although we're glad we'll be back to conventional workdays in the forthcoming weeks.

Sunday 1 September 2013

Heathland Restoration - Alderly Edge 1 Sept 2013

Five volunteers turned out and spent the day on an ongoing project restore and extend an area of remaining lowland heath situated within "Rhodi" wood.

When we decided to stop there was a suprisingly large pile of dug out brambles - unfortunately there is plenty left for other volunteers or dates.