What's happening next year - MNTV Programme 2024

Hi Everyone

I started to write this as I enjoy my last long weekend off work of 2023.  It's busying up in Edinburgh and we are bracing ourselves for the Christmas rush.  I do get to escape from the seasonal rush for a short time, as I booked myself a first class train ticket and I am spending Christmas down in Manchester.  With the last workday of the year been and gone it's time to let you know what's in store for next year.  The Programme has as ever taken some organising with the last workday booked in just last week.  I have had a couple of emails from keen volunteers wanting to know when we are restarting so I guess it's about time I let you know what the highlights are for the year.  Time to get those diaries out...

Firstly, we have 2 weekends planned for you.

10 people went on our most recent weekend away two weeks ago in Snowdonia.  Everyone enjoyed the weekend so I have organised two weekends for next year.  The first is being billed as Summer at Calke Abbey.  Late last year I had an email from Vicky Naylor of Styal saying she was moving to Calke Abbey so I got in touch and asked if she was able to host us.  She and the rest of the rangers there would be delighted to so if you are planning your next year then please put in the diary Summer at Calke Abbey, 28th - 30th June 2024. 

Weekend no. 2 - when I was in Snowdonia I had a chat with Dylan and he said he wanted the basecamp, Hendre Isaf, to be available to all, particularly volunteering groups,  He also believes that if we are volunteering we shouldn't have to pay to stay.  He is one of a few that are working on this principle so when I got back from Snowdonia I booked us in for 6th to 8th December 2024 for Christmas in Cymru.  He has again kindly agreed to pay for our skills and time.  Did you know there are only two full time and one part time rangers on the Ysbyty Estate?  The estate covers over 8,000 hectares of high, wild open moorland, dramatic river valleys and 51 hill farms.  In comparison Lyme Park is a 1,400 acre estate and Styal has 400 acres and they have a lot more staff so I can understand why Dylan and his team are grateful for help.

 

With the weekends sorted what else is in store for the rest of 2024?  Strap yourselves in and let's take a journey through the year...

 

Christine led the last workday of 2023 at Styal and she has just signed up to lead the first workday of 2024 which will be at Styal on 7th January.  We are at Styal 9 more times during 2024.  Dunham is rethinking how to use volunteers so some of the Styal workdays may become Dunham days.  We will of course let you know where the workdays are.  Throughout the rest of January and February we stay close to home with workdays at Alderley, Lyme and Styal.  There is a new ranger at Alderley Edge and he snapped us up four times next year.  Our second visit is on 11th February.

March brings us to the start of our longer distance workdays.  I follow lots of NT properties on Facebook and Bickerton Hill posted about their volunteers.  I got in touch and said I have been trying to get hold of the rangers for about 4 years.  They got back to me with an email address and I'm delighted to say that after nearly 10 years away we will be back at Bickerton on 3rd March.  This will be a joint day with Merseyside.  We will be back at Bickerton twice more in 2024.  We also visit Chirk, Hayfield and Formby in March.

On 7th April we have our first visit to Hardcastle Crags and will be there twice more in 2024.  April also brings us Lyme, Styal and Formby.

May is always a quieter month for the group as there are two bank holidays.  On 19th May we head over the Mersey Bridge to Speke Hall.  It will be our only visit to Speke in 2024.  The other date in May is to Styal.

June brings us 4 workdays and our weekend at Calke Abbey.  We will be at Biddulph at the beginning of June, no doubt doing our annual job of putting in the Dahlia Stakes.  We hit the seaside at Formby on 9th June.  The week after we are at Erddig and we also manage to squeeze in a visit to Lyme too.

In July we have another joint workday with Merseyside, this time at Erddig  At the height of summer on 28th July we travel to Marsden Moor.  When I spoke to ranger Ian about what we did he was very much impressed and is very much looking forward to meeting us.

August has 3 workdays - 2 closer to home and 1 further afield.  On 11th August we take one of many trips to Lyme.  Lyme love having us and are always so grateful for our help.

September is another that has 5 workdays.  When I joined the group at Biddulph earlier this year we were taking out the dahlias.  Lesley suggested that we go there in August or September to see the dahlias in full bloom so we will be going to admire the dahlias on 22nd September.  We also travel to Formby, Styal, Chirk (this is with Merseyside) and we take another trip to Bickerton Hill.

On 6th October we take ourselves away from the hustle and bustle of city life for the second of 3 visits to Hayfield.  I know we are normally at Hayfield a lot more, but the team at Hayfield are very busy and could only fit us in in the cooler months.  We also travel to Formby, Bickerton and Lyme.

November takes us closer to home.  On 3rd November we return to Biddulph to perhaps take out the dahlias - because we are pros now!  We also travel to Alderley, Lyme and Hayfield.  Along with our Christmas in Cymru weekend December brings us a day at Alderley Edge and we finish the year like we started at Styal on 15th December.

 

I sent out the programme to the worksite leaders earlier this week so they could sign up and plan their bakes.  If you want to give leading a go do let either myself or another Worksite Leader know and we can talk you through it.  My thanks go to the worksite leaders for agreeing to lead.

 

When I emailed Dunham Massey for some workdays they were hesitant about giving any dates to us as they are rethinking how they use volunteers.  This means that Styal and Lyme have got a lot of dates next year as they are essentially my back up properties, so some of these days may change locations.  As soon as they do I will let you know.

Don't forget, if you would like to come on a workday then just wait for an email in the days prior to the workday.  That will give you all the details and just reply to that email to let us know you would like to join us for the day.

That is the programme out of the way, now for the fun stuff.

 

Some of you may know, others may not ... Ian Ford at Speke is having an operation on his foot and will be out of action for a wee while so we sent him a get well soon card and although he hasn't had his operation yet he did send us an email back saying "I have received a wonderful get well card from all in the Manchester Vols, please can I say a huge thank you, a lovely thought. My operation is now scheduled for the 11/01/2024 and I hope to be back on my feet to see you when you're next on site at Speke."

 

We have had a little bit of news from Formby.  A few days before I started writing this report we received an email from Chris and the team at Formby telling us:

 

I would like to share with you our finalised Volunteer Impact Report for this year, a document which we create each year to highlight some of the incredible accomplishments which volunteers achieve together with our small staff team.  It really does evidence how valuable volunteers are to what we achieve at Formby, and shows just how difficult our job would be without you all!

 

I hope the short report makes for interesting reading, and thank you all so much again for your support this year! 

 

Wishing you the most merriest of Christmases, and happiest of New Years! 🙂 We can't wait to work with you all again in 2024!

 

As it always takes me a few days to put this report together, emails come in and we have had an email from Vicky Blane the General Manager for Formby and Central Lancashire. She sends her thanks and all the best for the Festive Season.  She has also emailed the Formby Autumn/Winter Newsletter.

 

This edition includes the following highlights;

• Information on the winter conservation work happening in the Ravenmeols woodlands to create a healthier more diverse habitat for wildlife.
• A round-up of tasks the ranger team have been carrying out with the support of fantastic volunteers, over the past couple of months.
• An update on the annual tree safety inspections and work planned across the site this winter.
• A “Natter with” ranger Bree to find out more about initiatives she’s working on and her favourite spot to enjoy nature at NT Formby.

And Ranger Steve at Erddig also sent some news:

I wanted to share some rather good news for Erddig estate, a new project that we would very much like you all to be involved in.

 

We have been successful in securing a substantial grant to help us revitalise and rejuvenate an area of the estate down by Fellin Pulleston.  It will be a 18=month project including tree planting, path creation and repair, reactivation of old meadows and butterfly meadows and much more!

It will very much be in the type of the mindful meadow at Chirk Castle if you have seen that.

I have attached a plan showing the proposed vision for the area so please take a look.

I'm hoping it is something we can help with.

 

Lyme also sent their winter update. 

 

The last of the blog entries was posted earlier this week.  They are a great read and I very much enjoy both reading and writing them.  If you would like to have a go at writing one for a workday you are on just say!  Here are two photos from workdays in 2023 to show we are out working come rain or shine

 

Finally... I started writing this on 19th December on the bus home from my Mum and Dad's.  It's 21st December now and with Edinburgh Castle closed today due to a yellow weather warning for strong winds I took some annual leave and am finishing this email to you all.  I think all that I need to say is on behalf of your Committee have a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous Hogmanay or New Year.

I look forward to seeing you all in 2024.

 

Ally

Programme Planner

Woodland clearance at Styal on Sunday 17th December 2023

For the last workday of the year seven of us met with Ashley for a day of woodland clearance.  Simon, who should have been our ranger for the day, was unfortunately not well so Ashley took us to the worksite, told us what was required and left us to it which was not a problem.

We were working in Chapel Wood removing holly, hazel and any rhodi that we found, with the stipulation that we left 20% of the holly and hazel still standing.  All cuttings to be stacked so they can come along with their new chipper at a later date and get rid of it.  In fact there is that much holly that when we are back in the new year we will probably be doing the same job.

We were very lucky with the weather and even had some sunshine in the afternoon which made for a very pleasant day.  Thanks to my colleagues for all their hard work.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Christine

Christmas in Cymru, 8th - 10th December 2023

Christmas in Cymru 2023 
Wet Wet Wet feat. Santa

 

Thursday 7th December 

With plans for our annual Christmas Weekend set to be in Snowdonia in 2020 we were all looking forward to it but with the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the UK it was postponed indefinitely.  It's now December 2023 and we are finally having a long awaited Christmas weekend and our first weekend in four years.  I'm currently sat on a train heading for Manchester, tinsel in hand trying to brighten my mood and the weather.  Planning the weekend has taken time and patience but it's finally here.  I'm staying with Jenny tonight so tomorrow we can travel together at leisure to the Hendre Isaf basecamp in the Snowdonia National Park.  Hendre Isaf is a popular basecamp and with 11 people signed up it's going to be a great weekend.  I'll let you know how it goes...

Before the weekend took place, Hazel let us know that unfortunately she would not be joining us as she is not well.  Hazel - we hope you are feeling better soon.

 

Friday 8th December 

Friday dawned a little damp but we headed for Snowdonia via Chirk Castle which had some of its rooms decorated for Christmas.  Once we had consumed some lunch and looked at the animal-inspired decorations we headed to our basecamp for the weekend.  Hendre Isaf sits just in the Snowdonia National Park, at the junction of the A5 and B4407 and so is quite easy to find.  Jenny and I were first to arrive, just behind us were Mary and Neil.  On his journey to Snowdonia Neil had come across a closed road at Ruthin.  He handily let me know and I let as many people as I could know.  After he arrived he made himself at home in the “leaders” room.  He is a loud snorer!! 

We were also joined by Sarah and later Tim arrived having transported himself by pedal power from Llandudno Junction.  He'd travelled there by ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, then on a train to Llandudno Junction.  Whilst waiting for Tim and the late arrivers we decorated the basecamp with tinsel, lights and Mary's excellent crocheted snowflakes and angels. 

That evening the assembled company dined on a delicious spiced winter vegetable soup with bread and cheese.  Later, Martin and Denise, upon arrival, tucked into the soup provided.  We played a game of Who Am I? and we were joined by Adrian and Daniel having travelled together later in the day.  Having emptied Adrian's car we sorted the shopping, swapped stories and then headed to bed.

Saturday 9th December 

The day dawned wet, very wet.  Whilst we were all snug in bed, Daniel went for a run, leaving at 6.30am to be back in time for 7.30am.  We were breakfasted and ready to be met by the rangers at 9am.  Rangers Dylan and Gwilym told us that our task would be chopping down conifers in a plantation that the Trust have recently taken over.  It was a short drive over to the worksite near Penmachno then up a steep hill over to Ty Mawr Wybrnant known locally as Ty Mawr.  Some parts of the worksite were a little wet underfoot but with bowsaws, loppers, pruning saws and an axe we set to work.  The conifers were spaced out with some in groups and some on their own.  Some were not easy to get to as they were surrounded by brambles or other plants.  Morning break was called and we used the back of the rangers' pickup truck as a table to put the cake on.  After break we got back to our chopping and it started to rain more.  At the start of the day Dylan said if anyone found a tree they liked they could take it home to decorate.  I decided I would look a bit odd on the train with a Christmas tree so declined, but Denise took up the option and managed to squeeze a tree into her car.

When lunch time came it was raining A LOT so Dylan suggested we went undercover for lunch which was gratefully received by us all.  To get undercover we had to drive down to Ty Mawr.  We were very thankful for the cover whilst eating lunch.  Jenny and I surprised the group and Dylan too with leftover soup for lunch.  It was decided that working in the afternoon would be a mistake.  Dylan offered to open up Ty Mawr so we could have a look.  Ty Mawr is famous for being the place were Bishop William Morgan, known as the Saviour of the Welsh language, was born in 1545. He was the person who translated the bible from Latin into the Welsh language, which is one of the reasons the Welsh language is still very much used today. 

If you would like to know more about Ty Mawr then please see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/ty-mawr- 

Whilst the majority of the group looked around Ty Mawr, Jenny and Denise headed back to base to get a head start on the showers as they had kindly offered to cook Christmas dinner.  Before the weekend I had persuaded Daniel to make it easier for the cooks by buying pre-cut potatoes, carrots, sprouts. etc.  We all agreed it would be a lot easier.  Jenny and Denise were about half an hour in front of the rest of the group. As the rest of the group headed back up the steep hill from Ty Mawr, I was contacted by Jenny to tell me that the key was in the basecamp and both she and Denise were outside.  Somehow the door had closed leaving them on the outside with no way to get in.  One group headed to basecamp with rangers in tow and the other to Betws-y-Coed to pick up a few provisions and take some photos as it has been a while since we have been there.  With a little help from Dylan and Gwilym a spare key was located and we were able to let ourselves in.  Once we were all back at basecamp and had enjoyed a hot shower mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed and Santa paid a visit.  Santa's gifts included chocolates, games, a Venus fly trap and a Christmas pudding bauble.  Everyone was pleased with their gifts.

After more chatting, dinner was called.  It was delicious!  With there being not quite so many vegetables as normal we ate up all the food.  For dessert we enjoyed Mary's Christmas pudding or leftover Lemon Meringue Pie.  Once the washing up was done we moved to the comfier chairs and partook in crochet chat or reading books and magazines.  Bedtime was called at about 10.30pm.

Sunday 10th December

Sunday dawned wet.  Daniel did his 10km run (same route as yesterday but in reverse direction).  Breakfast (bacon and baked beans) was cooked expertly by Neil.  Looking at the weather forecast the morning wasn't looking great.  We took down the decorations, waged war with our sleeping bags and threw those boots that had been drying on the radiator into the car.  Some headed straight home but others who studied the rain radar realised that the rain wasn't sticking around for very long so four of us made a trip to Bodnant Garden.  Whilst in the garden although the Labernum Arch was not in flower we did enjoy some excellent colour from the Dogwood in the winter garden and we got some stunning views of the Carneddau Mountains.  The sun also made a brief appearance.  We gave our custom to the coffee kiosk at the bottom of the garden, of course using our volunteer cards.

     

 

The garden was very quiet.  As Adrian noted, where were all the people who owned all the cars in the carpark?  At about 2.30pm Jenny, Daniel, Adrian and I parted company and headed for home.

It's Monday now and I'm currently on the train home to Edinburgh.  It's looking awfully grey as I head north.  There look to be some flooded fields.  I've asked Dylan to book Snowdonia for Christmas in Cymru in 2024 and am hoping it won't be quite as wet as this year.

Denise has also sent in a picture of her tree decorated.

My thanks must go to Jenny for her hospitality and driving before and after the weekend, Daniel for being weekend leader, Adrian and Martin for driving to and from the worksite, Denise and Jenny for cooking Christmas dinner, Neil for cooking breakfast, Dylan and Gwilym for hosting us despite the wet weather and finally for everyone else who came to the weekend.  To everyone else - where were you?

Ally

Cancelled - workday at Lyme Park on Sunday 3rd December 2023

Today's workday at Lyme Park (rhodybash in Lantern Wood) was cancelled by the rangers early this morning on safety grounds following the overnight snow.