The day started badly for Sue, who was our worksite leader for the day - she arrived late and was then in a rush to apologize and check that everyone had arrived safely. Once this was done, Chris the Ranger also apologized and requested that, due to staffing issues, whether we would do a bit of a rhody bash (without a fire) instead of erecting tree-guards and removing an old fence as scheduled. We didn't mind at all, particularly as he explained that a few cattle had been introduced around Paddock Cottage for a few weeks to help with grazing and land management, and he'd like us to keep an eye on them throughout the day. We were to count them at regular intervals to ensure all 5 horned-females with their 5 offspring were still there, plus reminding any owners of dogs that were not on leads that they were to keep their dogs on leads in this area while the cattle were there, to protect the cattle, their calves and the owners dogs (those horns looked very tough!).
Eleven of us initially met in the main carpark with Chris and Claire (a Lyme National Trust Academy Ranger). Two other volunteers, Hazel and Joanna, had got slightly lost on their way to Lyme Park so they met up with us a short time later.......................... making 13 volunteers in total:-)
From the main carpark, we moved some of our cars to Knot car park and walked from there, with Claire leading, up onto the ridge on the left of West Drive. We looked around and found the cattle who were being visited by the farmer who owns them. She and Claire told us a bit about the cattle, and how they were there to roam and eat the grass, spread their manure, and help increase the diversity of plants and wildlife. Poppy, the 'leader' of the cattle, is a shorthorn cross simmental, a lovely brown and white beast with a beautiful calf. The other 4 mums were all Highland cattle and each had a gorgeous calf (we decided that the calves were really cute and looked like over-grown teddy bears!).
We then walked to where we would be cutting down clumps of rhododendron ponticum. Chris the Ranger had already checked that that morning that there were no birds nesting in there as we are in bird-nesting season. Although birds don't usually nest in rhody, it was best to be sure.
We decided to have an early coffee break. Sue had brought a different cake that she'd baked - pear, elderberry and ginger loaf - it seemed to go down very well:-)
After this, most of the group moved to 2 of the clumps of rhody and, with bowsaws and loppers, started cutting it down. Two or three of us at a time then walked up to Paddock cottage to chat to dog owners and head-count the cattle - it was great!!
The weather was sometimes sunny and hot, other times a bit breezy and a little overcast, but all-in-all it was a fabulous day to be outside, and we got a fantastic view over the Cheshire plains!!
A little earlier than normal, we finished our work, made our way back to the main car park, then walked to the tree guard where we had planted an oak tree on 24th April 2016(check out our Blog) in celebration of MNTV reaching 30 years of age on 21st April 2016!!! Sue had brought a small plaque and Jamie, Lyme Ranger, kindly attached this discretely to the inside of the tree guard:-)
Sue said a few words(sometimes you just can't stop her!), thanking volunteers past and present for their attendance and hours of volunteering, which has helped MNTV achieve 30 years .................. and here's to the next 30!!
