Rhodybash at Lyme Park on Sunday 8th November 2026

We had a big group out at Lyme this Sunday for a rhodybash in Lantern Wood. We had a new joiner doing his Duke of Edinburgh award, honorary member Tim Jarvis (up from Essex visiting old friends) and Martin Swithenbank (MNTVer from the early 2000s who has recently rejoined the group). It was lovely to see so many people out for the day.

We walked up to the rhode in Lantern Wood. It really does get further to walk each time, because we make our way up, clearing the rhody as we go.

We started with a tool talk and fire safety briefing then picked our jobs. A couple of people went to get the fire started and the rest of us started to cut more fuel.

At 11am the fire was going well and we had two minutes' silence for Remembrance Day followed by delicious cake.  Thanks Sue D.  At this point a second fire was started further up the hill by shovelling some of the glowing embers from the first fire.

By mid-afternoon we made a breakthrough and could see through the rhody towards the top of the hill. After several years the end is in sight! But don’t worry, there is still enough to keep us going for a couple of years at least.

By the end of the day we had two roaring fires which were burning up  everything we could throw at them.  

We made our way back down the hill, pleased with our progress, but knowing that the walk up the hill next time would be just a little bit longer.

Jenny

Lifting dahlias at Biddulph Grange Garden on Sunday 1st November 2026

It started off a misty day, but the mist soon lifted and we got a lovely view through the autumn trees.

Nine from MNTV joined some of the regular Biddulph garden volunteers to take out dahlias and plant tulips in the beds.

The mild autumn we have had meant the dahlias were still in flower. It seemed a shame to be cutting them down, but we saved a few blooms for the tea rooms and passersby.

The task seems simple but it’s harder than it looks to make sure the right labels are attached to the right type of dahlia corm, and all boxed up neatly to be stored over winter.

We worked through the day with a break for cake (traditional parkin and lemon drizzle). After the dahlias were out the garden team started to plant bulbs (the sacks in the photo above each have 500 bulbs in and there is a sack per bay). The bulbs are randomly thrown onto the ground to give a natural scatter. They will make a lovely display in the spring.

As usual the gardening team looked after us well and it was nice to meet up with some of the regular Biddulph volunteers. Who knows, we might be back to remove the tulips and put the stakes back in next spring.

Jenny

Cancelled - workday at Styal on Sunday 25th October 2026

We were meant to be working at Styal today with new ranger Gwyn, stripping ivy and removing old bits of fencing from a hedge along the top path of the Southern Woods.  There might also have been a bit of drainage ditch digging, if time allowed.

However, on the Friday morning, Ceara (ranger) emailed to say "we have been keeping a close eye on the weather for Sunday and unfortunately, we are going to have to cancel the group.  The predicted wind gusts mean we will need to do a full property closure, and no one will be allowed on site.  Really sorry if this causes any inconvenience. Hopefully, the weather will be better next time."

Storm Boelo did in fact blow in and it would not have been safe to work near or under trees.  With luck we will have calmer weather when we are next at Styal on 29th November.

Daniel

Rhodybash at Lyme Park on Sunday 18th October 2026

We were 14 strong today, working with Ranger Jason in Lantern Wood clearing rhododendron.

A special welcome to the Wark family who staggered up the hill unannounced to join us.  An unexpected bonus on a pleasant autumn morning.

No rain and little wind meant - fire!  It’s the first time in months that we’ve had a good bonfire and Jason and James managed to get two blazing nicely by lunchtime.  We pretty much cleared the backlog that needed burning and cut down a further supply for the next group.

The work we did is part of the 50+ years project to enhance the moorland that's part of the Lyme Park estate.  We’re gradually moving up the hill but there’s a way to go yet.

 Jean

Grassland management at Alderley Edge on Sunday 11th October 2026

Today we were joined by three new volunteers James, Ollie and Annie, making a very respectable turnout of 11, for our workday at Alderley Edge.  We were given seven jobs in total which made for a very varied day working in the top meadow at the old quarry.

I have to say thank goodness we had five young fit volunteers today because we needed to use tree poppers and mattocks.  They are not the lightest of tools to carry up to the worksite.

We made a massive impression, even though I do say so myself, on the birch trees, broom and brambles that needed removing including the roots, as well as topping off trees growing up from the bottom meadow.

Thank you to my colleagues for their hard work and good company and we hope to see all of them joining us again soon.

Christine

 

Constructing a dead hedge at Alderley Edge on Sunday 4th October 2026

We had a last minute change of location from the planned venue for this week. Thank you to Issy and the Rangers at Alderley Edge for finding a task for us at the last minute. So on a lovely autumn Sunday we gathered at Alderley Edge for a day of constructing dead hedges.

The area in the woods has been cleared of leaves and the surrounding trees trimmed to let more light in. We are hoping it will regenerate with more undergrowth.

To give the plants a chance the area is being fenced off and our task was to help build a dead hedge around the area to keep dogs and people out.

We took along an axe to put a point on the uprights to make them easier to use the lump hammer to drive them into the ground, bowsaws to cut up the bigger pieces of wood and loppers to cut off side branches.

 

We laid bigger branches at the bottom and at the top of the hedge to weigh things down.

We had a pleasant day, eating cake and chatting and even managed to build a hedge along the side of the enclosure nearest the path.  

Jenny

Weeding at Shugborough on Sunday 20th September 2026

Five of us met up with SSNTV (Shropshire and Staffordshire) at Shugborough on a warm and sunny morning.  It was our first time back at Shugborough since 21st August 2011, more than 15 years ago!  We were working with one of the gardeners, James, so expected to be in the garden, but instead we ended up in a big car park!

It’s coming to the end of the ‘Shaping Shugborough’ project which involves creating a second garden and building a completely new entrance, including reception building and carpark. 

The carpark is divided into sections by a combination of hedging and plants. The hedges are already in place and our job was to do the weeding before plants are added.

It’s a big car park and our combined group of 19 managed to clear 26 sections - but there's a long way to go yet.

James took us on a quick tour of the new Forest Garden. It’s a demonstration/teaching garden and includes only plants that have a use - in cooking, medicine, industries such as dyeing.  It also shows what beneficial plants can be grown in planters, small urban gardens, even industrial areas. The whole project has taken four years and has only been possible due to the hard work of volunteers.

But today at Shugborough will be forever remembered for cake!

The day was another successful collaboration with SSNTV and it was worth the drive to see the new garden. The grand opening will be in early 2027 and I highly recommend a visit.

Jean