Footpath work at Erddig on Sunday 15th July 2018

Today we were back in Wales for a bit of path maintenance by the river, digging up boarding and cutting back vegetation.

We joined up with the Merseyside group who are a friendly bunch.  The day, like so many this summer, was hot but we had some shade and a cool stream that still had enough water to paddle in, and several wet dogs came to say hello.

There was a vintage tractor rally at the park on the day, but although I heard it and smelt it, by the time I had walked up the riverbank and across the fields I saw the last tractor disappear into the distance, so no photos this year.

The photos show the during and after vegetation clearing.  In the second photo you can see the typical activity for a workday, i.e. people standing around chatting (or taking photos) whilst Christine, in the white top, gets on with the work!

Jenny

Thistle thrashing at Lyme Park on Sunday 8th July 2018

On a beautiful day seven of us made our way up past the stables almost to East Lodge to begin our task of thistle thrashing.  We had some beautiful views over Manchester and at one point could see smoke still coming from the Saddleworth Moor fire.  There were also some old planes going over, possibly from Woodford air show.

Although the task was not a strenuous one in the heat today it was quite hard work and we were only too happy to have Sue Daber join us for a couple of hours as her car park duties for Lyme were quieter than usual.  We cleared a good area and hopefully stopped the thistles spreading their seeds for this year.

Thanks to everyone for the hard work.

Christine 

Balsam bashing at Speke Hall on Sunday 1st July 2018

Four MNTVers made the journey to the Tudor manor at Speke this week to meet up with our friends in the Merseyside Volunteers.  Though the weather was very hot the task was clearing Himalayan Balsam in woodland so there was plenty of shade.  Lunch was taken on the front lawn where we watched a group of archers shooting at targets.  We were so good at clearing the balsam that we ran out so packed up early.

Tim

Drainage work at Hayfield on Sunday 24th June 2018

This Sunday 13 of us travelled to Hayfield in glorious summer weather. We began by splitting into two groups and tackling the drains on the road used by mountain rescue to get up onto the hills. The group from the top managed to clear most of the grips while the bottom group dug out the drain by the side of the road which had become overgrown. It was hard work in the heat and was greatly helped by the arrival of the group from the top. At one point we had all volunteers in a line digging away!

 Cake was saved for lunch when we went back to South Head farm to meet Shane, who is retiring from his role as ranger of this amazing site. We presented him with cupcakes spelling out “thanks Shane” and a card from MNTV and listened to some stories from years past. While we sat on the patio enjoying the sunshine and cake Christine went round and up and down the garden throwing sticks for dogs!

At South Head for lunch

"Thanks Shane"

After lunch we headed down the hillside stopping at grids to clear them of soil and stones to avoid flooding when it eventually rains again. Mick managed a quick paddle in a stream and we had a brief listen to the England match via the radio in the van.

Well done volunteers for keeping on despite the heat.

Thanks Shane for welcoming MNTV and always finding us jobs to do, for letting us play chase the stick with Rhona and we wish you a very happy retirement.

Balsam Bashing at Hardcastle Crags on Sunday 17th June 2018

Nine of us from MNTV joined Natalie, the Hardcastle Crags Ranger, in balsam bashing along the Red Route trail.
The West Yorkshire National Trust volunteers were also there today so we made an even larger group, making a huge difference by bashing lots and lots of balsam:-)
We also chatted to some of the families who visited Hardcastle Crags as it was advertised that they could join us on the balsam bash. Christine in particular was very good at encouraging them and getting them involved.

Working hard?!

It was a lovely day, we had a fun time (but then we always do when we work with Natalie) and it was so satisfying because we bashed LOADS of balsam and could see the difference we made this year which will reduce it growing next year and by year 3 it should have disappeared in these areas:-)

There it was - gone! :-)

Lunchbreak:-)

  Photo's by Christine and Andy

Cleft chestnut fencing at Styal on Sunday 10th June 2018

Twelve eager volunteers, including Hayley who joined us for the first time today, headed off to Chapel Wood for some cleft chestnut fencing.  It was a hot day but being in the woods gave us some nice shade for what was at times quite strenuous work.

I now know what this type of fencing is.  It is very rustic posts dug approx. 3 feet into the ground with slots cut out to put the cross bars into - all very rustic but very effective.  Trish has now become our expert slot cutter outerer, using a battery drill and chisels.

The ranger Craig's daughter joined us for a few minutes whilst bringing her dad's lunch.  We couldn't tempt her to join us with a bribe of pineapple but she left us quite happy with a piece of cake.

We had a good day but didn't quite meet the estimated target which averages one post per person in the group, but Craig was more than happy as we did have a few difficult post holes to dig.

Thanks to everyone for the hard work and good company.  I hope we haven't frightened Hayley off joining us again.  Also thanks to Craig for the excellent workday and we wish him and his wife all the best on the arrival of daughter number two in a few days time.

Christine

Staking out the Dahlia Walk at Biddulph Grange on Sunday 3rd June

Seven of us had a great day at Biddulph Grange. The weather was glorious and the passing visitors were very interested in finding out what it was we were doing along the Dahlia Walk.

As it turned out, we didn't know the answers to all their questions, but they didn't seem to mind and were happy chatting to us. We were there to measure out and knock in, equi-distant rows of stakes, so that the Dahlia's had some support when they were planted.
We also had to dig a hole in front of each of the stakes once they were in place, to make it easier and quicker for the Biddulph gardeners to plant the Dahlia's afterwards.

Paul, the head gardener at Biddulph, met us at the start of our workday and showed us where we would be working, but couldn't be with us all day. He left us the stakes and the plans of how many stakes were to put in each of the area's together with ladders to get us up to the higher levels of the planting area's. Before leaving, he explained that the Dahlia's were late arriving at Biddulph (presumably due to the British weather so far this year!), that some were smaller then expected and would need to be 'grown on' before they could be planted.

We worked hard, taking extra breaks due to the hot weather, but were delighted that we finished all the work he had asked us to do:-)
We hope to be back there soon to see how the Dahlia's are doing!

Group photo (apologies that Hazel is in the shade!)