Various tasks at Lyme Park on Sunday 12th January 2020 (first workday of 2020)

Despite the rain, 11 hardy MNTV-ers turned up to meet Ranger Claire in the main car park at Lyme Park.
We loaded Claires NT vehicle with our tools and walked to join her at the old Dog Kennels where, after a tools and safety talk, we found out the various tasks that were scheduled for the day.
As well as burning a pile of wood containing brash, old furniture and tree's, Claire explained that they wanted to introduce Highland cattle into the field behind the Dog Kennels and the wood at the side of it. Before this could be done, the existing deer fencing and posts needed removing, the wood needed checking that it was safe for cattle to graze, and to also attach some barbed wire to the top of an existing fence which was between the fire site and the wood, to deter the cattle from getting too close.

Starting to remove the deer fencing

Removing a post and rolling the wire for re-use

A harder post to remove, around the base needed digging out and a bar used to help lever it out. 

A job well done!!

To start with, Claire took Sue and Sue to start the fire, while Mick and Jean went to check out the wood area to find any scrap metal etc that would need moving later with extra help. The rest of the group started removing the staples where the deer fencing was attached to the posts, leaving the top staple in place until they were ready to roll the fencing, this would then be re-used on another task. The grass, weeds and brambles had grown over the bottom of the wire fencing so some of us used slashers to clear it away.
After the morning break, the weather cleared up and we swapped jobs a bit so different people were on the fire, and did the same after lunch.

Loading the fire

We were delighted that we got everything done by the end apart from removing some of the heavier fencing posts that we think had been cemented in place.

Adding the barb to the fence surrounding the fire site

The weather had mainly cleared up for the majority of the day, although a late light shower resulted in a double-rainbow:-)

A double rainhow (you'll see the 2nd if you look very closely to the left of the shot)

Photo's from Pip and Sue