Ten Pin Bowling at Parrs Wood - Thursday 18th April 2024

Seven of us attended the much awaited social event at Parrs Wood Bowling Alley on Thursday 18th April.  Can it really be 12 years since we last went bowling in 2012!

Despite the venue undergoing major renovations it was a good evening and a great atmosphere... only half the lanes were open so it was busy.

Two games of bowling and a drink for £10, not bad value in the current climate.

The bowling alley still had its perspex screens sectioning off each lane and because we had just gone over the six people allowed per lane we were allocated two lanes.  We decided to have a girls versus boys event.  Four girls against three boys... it was a nail biting second game but the girls were the winners with 610 points and the boys trailed behind at 421.

After the bowling we spent a short time in the amusement arcade.

Despite the renovations and the building not being fully operational it was a lovely evening catching up with people I had not seen in a long time.

Denise 

Sunday 14th April - Lyme Park

 There were nine of us plus Rangers Issy her last Sunday at Lyme before moving to Alderley Edge later this month. We were working in calves Croft (formerly the fallow deer sanctuary) removing fencing, taking down the netting having removed staples and then taking out fence posts & strainers. We left the large corner posts and we took the fence posts & rolled up netting to the gate on the edge of Drinkwater meadow.

There were highland cattle alongside us with young calves so Issy took one or two people over to see them at close quarters

                 

Sunday 7th April - Hardcastle Crags

Looking at the Blog, it's 3 years ago since MNTV helped Ranger Alice sort out the wood piles in the compound and the woodstore :https://mntv.blogspot.com/2021/05/various-tasks-at-hardcastle-crags-on.html

Today was a very similar day. 

Five of us met in the main car park and Alice ferried 3 of us to the wood store and outdoor wood storage compound, which are close to Gibson Mill. Andy and Christine drove their own car so we had some transport in case Alice was called away.

We joined the Hardcastle Crags volunteers who work 2 Sundays a month, so there were about a dozen of us tackling the jobs in hand, which was to move the drying wood from the tarpaulin covered wood piles via the NT vehicle and unload it into the wood store, where it could fully drive before being used for heating and powering the Mill.

We then re-stacked and re-covered these wood piles to protect the remaining wood and there were now empty lengths where the new wood, being cut during the week, could be stored.

Over to the side of the outdoor compound there were smaller wood piles which hadn't been touched for a while. They were on uneven ground so the wood was piled on individual pallets instead of runs of 3 or 4 pallets, and stabilised underneath. We found some of the pallets had rotted away in places. We decided to use the spare pallets to create new small wood piles to carry this wood and cover with the taup. While we were throwing the wood from the rotting pallets over to the newly-sited pallets, Sue shouted to stop - she'd seen that some leaves had blown off a small pile of leaves and thought she could see the spines of a hedgehog close to where we were throwing the wood over. On closer inspection, it was a hog, having a sleep, and fortunately our antics hadn't disturbed it. We covered it with more leaves and moved away from the area. It seemed to be fine, even popping its nose out after to have a sniff around before going back to sleep. 

Later on, while moving another batch of wood, we came across a big Toad, who moved himself to a safe area once he'd been disturbed.

Some of the Hardcastle Crags volunteers left around lunchtime, so then we were then a much smaller group. After lunch, Alice suggested that a few of us took loppers to cut back the beech 'whips' re-growing across from the Mill.

We had a great day, got a lot done and it was really lovely working with Alice again,

Sue B

 

 

Sunday 31st March 2024 - no workday (Easter Sunday)

Sign making at Formby on Sunday 24th March 2024

Today we were off to beautiful Formby beach, unsure as to our actual task.

Five of us met up with ranger Chris who had a brilliant day planned for us.  Our job was to complete six part-made signs and make a further two.  The two new signs were being made using timber that had been felled and machined on site.  Andy H repainted lettering on a sign which had been taken down and cleaned.

After all signs were complete we set off to "plant" them.  Unfortunately, we only had time to do two, but, even if I say so myself, they looked good.

After a cold start, it turned into a beautiful day and we even sat in the sunshine for lunch, in proper chairs at a table.  Luxury!

Thanks to Chris for a great workday and to my colleagues for their hard work and great company.

Christine

Rhodybash at Hayfield on Sunday 17th March 2024

Five of us went to Hayfield today.  We progressed the clearance of rhoddies from the moorland, filling up approximately six large bags with our cuttings.  A lot of the rhoddies were just a few years old and where craftily hiding in the bracken with a lot more present than seemed likely on first view.

The rangers where very happy with the work and we could see the areas where heather and birch trees were re-colonising the areas that had been cleared of rhoddies.  It was a very pleasant day with even a bit of sunshine and warmth suggesting spring might be here!

Martin

Cancelled Workday - Sunday 10th March - Chirk Castle and a Wedding

The plan for today was for a trip to Chirk Castle but with it being Mothering Sunday and the weather looking a bit dodgy we only had two people signed up, so it was agreed to cancel the workday and hope that next time we venture that way a few more people will sign up. 

The workday may have been cancelled but that didn't stop 4 members of the group travelling to the Lake District for the weekend to attend the wedding of former worksite leaders Matt Smethurst and Lisa Tyrer. The wedding ceremony took place at Cockermouth Town Hall on Saturday 9th March at 2pm followed by a great celebration at Buttermere Youth Hostel. It was a cold day but we wrapped up warm as much as we could in our finery, the photographer provided some confetti to throw over the happy couple. Lisa's dress was exquisite with embroidery on the skirt it had flowers and butterflies on it. 

                                                                                              

The MNTV committee were delighted to loan the MNTV bunting that member Tricia had made for our 30th Birthday and I can tell you it went round the room once and a little bit more, I hadn't realised quite how long it was. There was also a shorter section of bunting that hung in the entrance way of the youth hostel.

The evening consisted of woodfired pizzas and salads and much cake. There was also a quiz written and presented by the bride and groom.

On Sunday the majority of guests who had stayed at the youth hostel went home after a full cooked breakfast. The rest took a walk to or round Buttermere Lake and although the weather wasn't great it was still enjoyed by most. Once the walk was finished we commenced the big clear up, the bunting came down as did the fairy lights and the table cloths were packed away.

Monday dawned and as we had done the majority of the clearing the day before we hoovered and cleared the remaining bedrooms and divvied out the food.

I was delighted and honoured to attend, I had a great weekend, Many Congratulations to Matt and Lisa, come and see us soon.

Cancelled - workday at Bickerton Hill on Sunday 3rd March 2024

The plan for today was for a joint workday at Bickerton Hill with the Merseyside group.  It would have been our first visit to Bickerton since June 2014!  Sadly, the day was cancelled the day before because of insufficient numbers from MNTV and the five from Merseyside dropping out because of family commitments and illness.

Rhodybash at Lyme Park on Sunday 25th February 2024

We met Issy the Ranger in the main car park and as it was a nice day and likely going to be very busy and all our parking spaces would be needed by visitors we moved our cars closer to Lantern Wood.

From there we walked up towards Lantern Wood and, on the right hand side just before the start of the wood, went through a gate and walked along the edge of the stone wall to the first opening, beyond which Alex, another Lyme Ranger, had already started a fire for us.

Once Issy had driven up in her little vehicle we retrieved the tools and our rucksacks and start looking for small dry dead twigs to feed the lit embers of the fire and to start a second fire to burn all the rhody that had already been cut but hadn't been burnt due to the recent wet weather.

It was a dry but very cold day and we were very glad of the heat from the fires once they'd got going.  The ten of us made quite a difference while we were there and 3:15pm quickly approached when we started packing up, putting the orange netting around the fires to alert people to their presence, then walked back to our cars.

It was a great day to be out in the fresh air with our MNTV buddies helping the Rangers with their tasks.

Sue B 

Woodland management at Styal on Sunday 18th February 2024

Eight of us met up with ranger Stuart for a day of coppicing/woodland management in the woods at Quarry Bank Mill.  We were back working in the same area as two weeks ago.  The aim was to cut down self-seeded birch, of which there was quite a lot, but to leave approximately one in seven.  There were some quite well-established trees but they were too crowded so had to be thinned out.

Before ...

... and after

We did this task until after lunch which was when we took the trees we had cut down and removed the branches.  Stuart said they could then be made into stakes for hedge laying.

We were working by the river and had the luxury of a bench for our breaks.  The river was very high and fast moving and we unfortunately had one boy slip into the river.  Luckily it was in a sheltered area which wasn't flowing.  One very wet 11-year-old was soon walking back to the car park.

We had quite a few people stopping and asking what we were doing and seemed very interested.  Hopefully we can gain some more members.

Thanks to everyone for their hard work and to Stuart for the workday.

Christine

Hedge laying at Alderley Edge on Sunday 11th February 2024

Nine volunteers meet up on a misty but otherwise dry Sunday at Alderley Edge.

The task was to rescue a hedge that had been planted but was being cut with a tractor hedge trimmer so was a bit of a mess.

The first job was to tidy the hedge and remove sideways branches. 

Several of the group had done hedge laying before – one even had his own billhook made by his own fair hands.

We lit a fire to get rid of the brash

The mist lifted around lunchtime and we continued working on the stretch of hedge.

By the end of the day we had managed to lay the whole section of hedge and trim the holly.

The path is right by the Rangers area so it will be interesting to go back and see how it’s doing on our future trips to Alderley Edge.

Jenny

Woodland management at Styal on Sunday 4th February 2024

Nine of us met up with Ceara to be told that our task for the day had changed because the original worksite was not easily accessible.

We headed off towards Oxbow Bridge armed with loppers and bowsaws for a bit of woodland management.  This involved cutting back holly, hazel, sycamore and doing a bit of birch thinning plus clearing round tree guards that had planted trees in them.

We had plenty of people asking who we were and what we were doing.  Some even seemed interested in the group.  I don't think I have seen as many dogs before, as it seemed that nearly everyone who passed had one.

Our leader for the day Jean had to leave as she was in extreme discomfort so we hope she gets sorted soon and is able to join us again in the not too distant future.

Thanks to Ceara and everyone who attended today for a good workday.

Christine

Rhodybash at Lyme Park on Sunday 28th January 2024

Another winter Sunday, another rhodybash.  The weather was perfect for it - a good breeze and dry.   We had been planning to meet Issy for the day but she couldn’t make it so Duty Ranger Alex kindly agreed to fit us into his busy schedule of feeding deer and general Mr FixIt.

Seven of us climbed back up the hill in Lantern Wood, saws and loppers in hand, ready to do battle with rhody.  Overall I think we won the battle, although it’s hard to see from these before and after photos:

Before ...

... and after

We got lots cut and managed to get lots burnt as well.  From certain spots you can now see through the rhody to the top of the hill.

At the end of the day, with the fire burnt down, we put round the orange netting and walked back down the hill, tired but satisfied with a good day's work.

We met Ranger Alex and his tractor by the stables tool store and headed home.

Jenny

Rhodybash at Alderley Edge on Sunday 21st January 2024

The weather forecast had been wet and windy.  Well, it was half right ... we got strong winds, but luckily no rain.  We had to keep an eye on the forecast in case it gusted above 47mph.

Seven of us plus Ranger Duncan set off into Windmill Woods to find rhody to kill.  Duncan pointed out a patch of laurel which Charlie decided to attack.  I wasn’t quick enough to get a before photo but here is a part way through photo.

We couldn’t burn the Laurel because it's poisonous, but Charlie did a great job scrubbing around removing all the roots ...

 

... whilst a few people started chopping at the rhody.

Others dug a small pit to contain the fire and keep it away from all the flammable pine needles.

The bonfire was going nicely by coffee break (Bakewell Tart and Chill-Chocolate-brownies).  We agreed that we would work through lunch break and pack up early afternoon to avoid the worst of the weather.  After the break we went back to work cutting rhody in various parts of the wood and continued burning.  We managed to clear and burn all of the big patch of rhody.

The wind began to increase, so we decided it was time to stop loading the fire and let it burn out.  Whilst we were watching the fire burn down a dead tree in the woods the other side of the path began to creek and came down – definitely time to pack up.

After another 20 minutes or so the fire was burnt down enough to put out so we hung the unburnt rhody roots in the trees to dry out and act as a warning to other rhody not to mess with MNTV!

  

Jenny