Sunday 31 July 2011

Hayfield 31July 2011












Ten volunteers spent today with wardens Shane and Myles checking on alders and mountain ash beside three streams in the Broad Clough area on the west side of Kinder Scout. The saplings were planted this spring and as they grow will reduce the peat run-off from the hillside and improve the clarity of water flowing into Kinder Reservoir. Our tasks were to remove tree guards from those trees that had died (these were counted to determine the number of trees to replant) and to restake those trees where the planters had put the stake inside the guard not outside. We had an exciting off-road drive in Land Rovers to where we accessed the first two streams and then a short drive and ten-minute walk to the third one. Unusually today’s tools were secateurs and Stanley knives – all used to snip through the cable ties attaching stakes to guards. It was an excellent day out in beautiful weather with good company and conversation, interesting work and delicious fruitcake (thank you Sue!) and we all left with a feeling of a job well done.

Sunday 24 July 2011

Speke 24 July 2011





Eight of us enjoyed a fabulously sunny day at Speke. We were pulling up Ragwort (a yellow-flowering plant which is toxic to livestock and also spreads profusely), snapping the stems to ensure that they didn't continue growing if they happened to re-root, and throwing them on the ground to dry and be mashed up when the field is next mowed.
We had almost cleared the field of all the Ragwort, when it was time to meet the warden as we'd agreed to be 'guinea-pigs' and try out the new maze on it's first day. We loved it!! - although the conifers need to grow a bit more to make it a bit harder, the high wooden bridges and wrought-iron gates (that can change position to give the maze a different layout) made it great fun to walk around. One of our Group sussed out the correct route pretty quickly, the rest of us had fun walking down many dead-ends!!
All in all it was a fun, sunny, day out:-)

Sunday 17 July 2011

Ukulele orchestra, 17 July 2011

Despite the inclement conditions, we enjoyed a spectacular evening at Gawsworth Hall being thoroughly entertained by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. We bravely ventured out into the torrential rain; firstly to stock up on goodies for our picnic (yes we persevered with the outdoor eating regardless of the less-than-summer weather) and then again to reach the venue. The most popular saying being bandied about when we reached Gawsworth Hall was 'only the British would do this'!
Several people had put up their gazebo and were having dinner with their best silver and champagne. We were not mad enough to spread out our picnic rug, but hastily found shelter in the spectator stand where we commandeered a few spare seats to use as table and spread out a veritable feast. We enjoyed our picnic with ukulele practice in the background - perfect!
And the performance was truly marvellous; I could not have anticipated anything better. The musical talent was extraordinary and delivered with a flourish of humour. We all had aching cheeks by the end, having smiled continually for two and a half hours. What a superb MNTV social this turned out to be!

Sunday 10 July 2011

Formby 10 July 2011

I had to delegate leading the task at Formby this week due to circumstances beyond my control - thanks to Pip for most of the text and photos

Nine volunteers from MNTV spent a sunny day on the beach at Formby, working alongside volunteers from Merseyside. The Maram grass on the sand dunes has been eroded by the passage of so many feet on the way to the beach. This allows the sand to blow around and move inland, overwhelming the existing vegetation and bridle ways. To reverse this process of erosion, the wardens at Formby (with our help) are digging donated dead Christmas trees into the sand. The trees hold the dunes together and allow the grass to re-establish itself.
The day finished with a paddle in the sea, though no-one was brave enough to swim this year.

Friday 8 July 2011

Theatre Trip

A number of our volunteers, family and friends went to the Salford Arts Theatre and enjoyed seeing "A Gladiator on the Town".

Sunday 3 July 2011

Himalayan Balsam

Thanks to Mick for supplying the words here....
Thirteen volunteers (including three first-timers) took shelter from the heat of the day in Pitstead Covert, a small (about 4 acre) wood just to the West of Dunham Massey Park. Whilst there we made ourselves useful by clearing the wood of Himalayan Balsam. There may have been one or two tiny shoots left, but the group did a very effective job. Extensive and universal nettle stings were in evidence, which showed every one's commitment.

If left to seed, the balsam would be spread by the feet of rabbits or birds, including into the park itself. It is a very fast-growing invasive plant, and causes problems for native plants by competing for soil nutrients. Just before leaving we also made a quick sweep of another patch of woodland, Headsman's Covert, which adjoins the wall of the Park. Here there wasn't much balsam, as the covert had been overrun by Rhododendron. There were just a few balsam plants appearing where the wardens had started to clear the rhody.