Hedge planting at Hardcastle Crags on Sunday 16th February 2025

Four from MNTV travelled to Hardcastle Crags on a dry but very cold day, to help Ranger Alice and three of the Hardcastle Crags volunteers continue planting a hedge along the side of one of the paths.

It was to be a mixed hedge containing 68% hawthorn, 16% hazel, 11% crab apple and 5% dog rose.  There were also some rowan trees that were planted every 10 metres or so where there weren't existing overhanging trees nearby.

The 2,500 hedge and tree saplings, support canes and spiral protectors were all provided by the Woodland Trust and were being used to create wildlife corridors so small animals could travel more safely from one wooded area to another.  To help with that, the hedge was planted two saplings deep so there'd be plenty of width to the hedge for the wildlife to hide in, once it was fully grown.

Other volunteers had already planted 350 of the hedge saplings on previous occasions, and our group managed to finish the full length by planting a further 250 hedge saplings during our workday.

We had a coffee break in the field around 11:15, but walked back to Hollin Hall, the Rangers base, for our lunch break so we could sit 'al fresco' on proper picnic chairs and tables.

It was here that we were surprised to see a frame and the internal workings of a piano propped up, so asked Ranger Alice about it.

Sadly it had been fly-tipped on the Hardcastle Crags estate, down into a dip so it had to be winched out due to its weight.  What to do with it now was a bit of an issue, and there was discussion about whether it could be repurposed into a harp or other musical instrument, or whether it should be disposed of.

As we were finishing our planting in the afternoon, Victor's conversation started telling us about his running and yoga and how, during a recent yoga class, they were asked to do a headstand, but not many could do it.  He said that he'd been able to and, quick as a flash, walked further into the field and demonstrated it for us - amazing!!

We had a great day working with Alice and were delighted that we'd managed to do so much.

Sue B