Thistle thrashing at South Head Farm on 4th June 2017

Three of us visited the High Peak today for a day's thistle thrashing with rangers Shane and Myles.  We were working near South Head Farm and on the way there fixed Marita's plaque to a tree guard protecting one of three oaks we planted in Coldwell Clough in April 2015 in her memory.

After we arrived at South Head Farm (the Chairman's first visit!) we loaded up a trailer with old fence posts.  Shane said these couldn't be burnt at the farm but had to be taken to Edale to be disposed of!

After elevenses in the farm's mess room (at which we all tucked into Daniel's Jaffa Drizzle Loaf) we began the day's main task - cutting down thistles in an adjacent field.  It was a very scenic worksite with Mount Famine, South Head and Brown Knoll framing the view.  Shane explained that the purpose of removing the thistles was for the safety of the sheep that will soon be grazing the meadow.  The plants' spikes can cut the sheep's mouth and lips and they can contract the orf virus through the lacerations.

One or two showers passed through before and after lunch but a prolonged heavy downpour at 3pm meant we stopped work shortly afterwards.

Daniel Black