Birch sapling removal at Alderley Edge on Sunday 26th November 2023

Nine volunteers met up with ranger Duncan for a day of vegetation removal, namely self-seeded birch.

We were working in the same field across the road from the car park that we worked in at the beginning of the year.  A corporate group had been in earlier in the week and had made a great impression.  Duncan pointed out the area we were tasked with clearing.  First impressions were there wasn't a lot - how wrong could we be!

After lunch we helped load the trailer with split tree trunks which were to be used for cleft fencing.  As the trees were oak, even though split, they were very heavy.  Once done, whilst Duncan took the trailer to the yard we continued "popping" birch.

It was a strenuous day but we left tired but happy with what we had achieved, as was Duncan.

Thank you to my colleagues for their very hard work and to Duncan and his faithful dog for a good workday.

Christine

Reinstating a mountain bike path at Lyme Park on Sunday 19th November 2023

Eight MNTV volunteers met the Lyme Ranger in the main car park at 9.30am.  It was confirmed that we would be reinstating a mountain bike path in Hase Bank wood so we moved our cars to the car park by the Knot which was nearby.  Apparently the mountain bike path had fallen into disrepair after felling had taken place in the wood and a number of trees had fallen across the path.

We set to with our mattocks, spades, shovels, slashers and loppers, clearing the path of overgrown vegetation and removing moss and soil off the rocks.  We felled small trees and brambles that were too close to the path but we left the Ranger to clear or adapt the fallen tree trunks with his chainsaw enabling bikes to ride through or be lifted over with ease.

We worked hard and were rewarded at elevenses with bakewell slices and flapjacks from Jenny, which were delicious.  Sadly it rained on us quite a bit, which was a shame, and we got very wet, so much so that after lunch when the rain had been falling continuously for over an hour some of the group decided to call it a day.  Others were content to carry on with the task after lunch and others wanted to help Jenny decorate the MNTV Christmas tree in the timber yard.

The bike path team worked really hard in the afternoon and managed to clear all the way through to the first exit near the west gate.  There were two more exits beyond that, but we managed to make a big difference.

The Christmas tree team were joined by Julia, the volunteer co-ordinator and we had fun (and a bit of shelter) threading up and hanging the decorations people had donated (silver foil, bottles and tools cut from sweet tins).  We also hung some baubles with text explaining the theme of the tree and a bit about the work MNTV does.

Sue B and Jenny

Cancelled - workday at Hayfield on Sunday 12th November 2023

Sadly, today's rhodybash near Park Hall, Hayfield, was cancelled because of insufficient numbers.  Ranger Chris had said a minimum of four were required and by the 12 noon Friday cut off only three had signed up at which point we agreed with Chris that the workday was off.  Two more signed up later that afternoon but we were unable to contact Chris to ask if the workday could go ahead after all.

Removing a fence and scraping steps at Quarry Bank Mill on Sunday 5th November 2023

11 from MNTV met Stuart, the Styal Ranger, in the volunteer's car park.  We walked a short distance to a field near to the mill where we started removing an old fence.  We decided to start at both ends so we could spread out, cutting back vegetation first so we could get to the fence, removing and collecting the staples holding the barbed wire and the fencing wire, rolling them up so they could be reused/disposed of safely, and finally removing the fence posts.  Some had rotted so snapped off in the ground and some had been put in so securely that it took a number of us to get them out!!

We stopped for morning break and were just getting settled in the field when it started raining (!!) so we gathered up our stuff and decamped to the shelter by the old entrance to Quarry Bank Mill.  We stayed lovely and dry there while we enjoyed Sue D's mince slices with our hot drinks.

After our morning break we went back to the field and finished the job, carrying the fence posts, rolls of barbed wire, rolls of fencing, litter and all our tools, up the incline to Stuart's vehicle so he could take everything back to the compound.

After our lunch break under the shelter (when we had slices of Sue D's apple cake) we walked into Chapel Wood where we finished the day scraping off leaves and excess soil from the paths and steps down to the bridge and up the other side.  It was hard work but made very enjoyable by the lovely comments we got from the families passing by who thanked us for doing this job.

At the end of this task we walked down to the mill where we had our group photo taken in front of the impressive poppy display cascading down from the mill building.  The poppies had been knitted and crocheted by many people with connections to Quarry Bank Mill including some of our own volunteers and their families and our Chairman's mum stitched them all together - a momentous task but hopefully well worth it, as they make such an impressive display.

Sue B