Today, Adrian, Daniel and Sue rhodybashed with ranger Mark and apprentice ranger Tom at Park Hall near Hayfield. There would have been two more of us but for covid cancellations.
We worked in a wood on the hillside above the hall. It's a conservation area and in these and SSSI areas the Trust cannot now burn "on the ground" and instead builds its bonfires on metal platforms comprising a corrugated metal sheet on stilts. Mark and Tom quickly got the fire going and the bone dry rhody (large piles cut by previous volunteer groups) burned very easily. They were careful not to let the blaze get too big so that leaves and branches on the overhanding trees did not catch fire.
During the day we burned through all the big piles of rhody near the fire. Jaffa drizzle loaf at elevenses and lunch kept everyone's energy levels up. After 5.5. hours of burning all that remained of tonnes of rhody was a small pile of ash.
When the next burn happens the rangers will simply lift the platform and walk it round the hillside to other piles of rhody!
Thanks to Adrian and Sue for their company and for Mark and Tom for providing a good day's work.
Daniel
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