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 2024 - 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.