Various tasks at Hardcastle Crags on Sunday 16th May 2021

Hardcastle Crags defied the weather predictions to give us a warm and sunny day with little rain. As there were only four of us, we were able to park at the work site next door to Gibson Mill, saving a 30 mins. walk from our usual parking place at the estate office.

Gibson Mill is a 19th century cotton mill that now houses a cafe. It is completely off grid and hot water and heating is provided by a wood-burning boiler using wood from the estate.

We met rangers Alice and Nick at 10 o’clock and started on the first task of the day. This was moving wood cut in 2018 and left to dry to the wood store next to the mill.

In the afternoon we split into two groups. David and Andy worked with the rangers, installing display posts for information boards. These will explain to visitors the ‘stop the flow’ project to slow surface runoff on the hillside and reduce flooding.

Sue and Jean spent an hour working on the hillside behind the mill, cutting back beech ‘whips’ or new growth. This allows more light to reach the ground and encourages the growth of plants such as bluebells and wild garlic.

Clearing drainage gullies and doing a litter pick took us to 15:30 and the end of a satisfying day. We accomplished all the tasks scheduled for the day and our low numbers made it easy to stick to social distancing rules.

 

This was the first time we had met Nick and Alice and look forward to working with them again in the future.

Photo's and text by Jean.