Balsam Bashing at Lyme Park - Sunday 14th June 2026

Seven of us met Ranger Jason in the main car park and, as we were working down Red Lane which is near the entrance kiosk, Jason had arranged for the Lyme Park minibus to give us a lift back down the drive near to Red Lane.

We then walked part way up Red Lane and into a field on the left, over a stile.

As we walked towards the back of the field (which we'd removed Balsam from last year), we spotted some rogue plants, but the majority were down towards the railway line.

We found a convenient base to leave our rucksacks and the all-important cakes for elevenses, under the trees, and then we got to work.

The Balsam was still quite young, only David spotted a few plants during the day that would be flowering soon, the rest were fairly small (so lots of bending over required to get to them) and sometimes mixed in with nettles or brambles, but they usually pulled out quite easily without breaking the stems, so we got the roots out as well.

Part way through the morning, Ranger Claire arrived to help, bringing two youth volunteers with her.

At 11am we had our 'coffee break' and everyone gathered back under the trees. Usually the worksite leader provides cake by buying some or baking some, today was a bit more unusual because yesterday, at Lyme, MNTV had celebrated 40 years of volunteering - a massive achievement. A party was planned and a fabulous get-together of current and old members gathered to celebrate (see details in our 40th Blog). 

Ally, our Chairperson, and Jenny, one of the committee members, had baked various delicious flavours of cupcakes, many with 40 MNTV toppers on them, and I'd been able to bring some of the ones that weren't eaten with me today - a real treat!!

After our break, we resumed our quest to find and destroy more Himalayan Balsam. The aim is to prevent them spreading further when the flowers turn to seed heads, because the seed heads burst spreading hundreds of seeds over a large area, ready to grow next year

After lunch we continued again, moving to different areas of the field and, even as we left to go home, we were still spotting more to destroy.

We made a huge difference to the amount of Balsam in the field, but there is still more. Hopefully we'll get another go at it when we return to Lyme next month.

It was a great day - it didn't rain and in fact the sun came out in the afternoon. We welcomed newbie James, and also Emma who'd only been out with us once before. We had some interesting chats on our breaks and it was a very relaxed and sociable day,

Sue B (Worksite Leader)

Balsam Bashing with WYNTV at Hardcastle Crags - Sunday 7th June

Two of us met 10 West Yorkshire NT volunteers at Hardcastle Crags for a job you either love or hate - balsam bashing. It was a Goldilocks day, not too hot and not too cold. And we worked near the river bank so it was even (comparatively) flat.

It’s quite early in the season, the balsam isn’t in flower yet, so we were met with just a mass of green.

After a full days work, it’s still a mass of green! But it’s the green of wood rush not balsam.

It may not look very interesting but wood rush provides a home and food for the Woodrush Moth. It’s also a natural way to control erosion as the shallow roots bind the soil together.

It was a good day made even better by the flapjack provided by West Yorkshire at lunch break, secret ingredient - peanut butter!

Sunday 24th May 2026 - Spring Bank Holiday weekend - no workday

Balsam bashing at Styal on Sunday 17th May 2026

Eight MNTV volunteers met with Ranger Stu in the Quarry Bank Mill car park at 9.30am before piling into Stu’s vehicle and one of our cars and driving to near Manchester Airport’s runway which was close to where we’d be working.

The task had changed from pulling weeds that were growing around the base of a hedgerow to, instead, doing some early balsam bashing around a little used path, fields and wooded area near a steep slope.  The idea was to pull and snap/crush the stalks of the balsam plants in these areas before they flowered and burst, spreading their seeds far and wide, and potentially up the slope, making it very difficult to get to the new plants that would grow there next year.

We spread ourselves out over the first area, a small wood with a slope at one side, and got that cleared before our coffee and cake break (thanks to Jean for bringing such delicious cake for us all).

After our break we moved along a path into a large field and started pulling up the balsam there.  We stopped for lunch around 1pm, just as the skies went grey and the rain fell but, by the time I’d got my waterproof trousers on, it had stopped (!) and we had glorious sunshine for the rest of the afternoon.

After lunch some of us stayed in the field to finish off and the rest moved along towards two large oak trees on the far side of the field where more balsam was found.  By 3pm, this area had been cleared, so we all got together for a group photo by the Rangers truck.

It was a great day, and we managed to get a lot done but sadly not all of it so we may be back again this season to pull some more balsam.

Sue B

Brash bashing at Alderley Edge on Sunday 10th May 2026

Today's workday had been planned for Lyme Park but was changed to Alderley Edge the day before as Lyme's entrance was closed due to roadworks on the A6.  So, the lucky 13 met in the car park at Alderley Edge and after picking up tools carpooled to the start of a footpath near Squirrels Jump.

Even though it’s close to the road the path was difficult to see so we worked with loppers and silkys (pruning saws) to clear the overgrowth.  We even brushed away the leaves!  This was the only task Ranger Izzy had for us at short notice and as we were such a big group we made short work of it.

We’ve worked at Alderley a few times this year so knew a meadow area just a couple of minutes drive away that could do with a bit of TLC.  But the first priority was lunch and relaxation in the sunshine.

We had made a pathway through the brambles at the entrance eighteen months beforehand but it was already starting to disappear and because it's a popular area for dog walkers we cut back the new growth.

We also dug up brambles in the middle of the meadow.

And cut down the last of the encroaching birch saplings.

Many thanks to Jenny for all the time she spent talking to Ranger Izzy to arrange the day at Alderley Edge.  It was really enjoyable with lots of variety and the opportunity to complete some work we had started on previous visits.

Jean

Sunday 3rd May 2026 - Early May Bank Holiday weekend - no workday

Various jobs at Formby on Sunday 26th April 2026

Seven of us met up with nine from the Merseyside group to spend a sunny day at the seaside in Formby.  Ranger Chris explained the jobs and gave us the option of driving round to the new car park on Victoria Road.  With it being such a nice day and it being only a 15 minute walk through the woods and sand dunes we opted to walk.

Task 1: 400 saplings required tree guards

They already had the plastic guards around them but the winds proved these were not sufficient protection, so it was a case of inserting a stick at the side and, using cable ties, fastening them to the guards.

Task 2: Planting a bench

This was not just any bench. It had been made by one of Formby's volunteers out of pine that had been chopped down to make way for the new car park.

Task 3: Putting up a new sign at the exit to the site

We had our combined brew/lunch break in a new picnic area where again the benches and tables had all been made with local timber and built by volunteers.

We had a great day working with our Merseyside colleagues, made all the more pleasant by lovely weather.

Thanks to Chris for his help and guidance and to everyone for their hard work and great company.

Christine

Dead hedging and other jobs at Alderley Edge on Sunday 12th April 2026

Well they do say “April showers” and that’s just what we got today, sunshine and occasional hail.

We started off with a long list of jobs. First up - clearing mud from the field entrance ready for the cavers next week.  Here is our newest member getting stuck in. She enjoyed her taster session so much she joined the group.

We planted some “sticks dipped in honey” (yes - really!) in the tree nursery. It  reminded me of that playground joke “what's brown and sticky?” The honey promotes root growth and is an anti-bacterial.  It was pure local honey and tasted great as well.

We were going to build a cold frame cover but didn’t find any screws so instead we went to fill the gap in the dead hedge nearby. The hedge had been laid by a corporate group in the winter and walkers had destroyed a bit of it to use a path through the woods.

We collected more brash from the surroundings and added some taller stakes then filled the gap with some bigger logs and made the whole hedge a bit taller. To finish it off we planted some of the honey-dipped twigs to create a bit of life in the dead hedge.

All in all a nice way to spend an April Sunday. Meeting new people and improving the environment.

Jenny

Sunday 5th April 2026 - Easter Sunday - no workday

Cancelled - workday at Hayfield on Sunday 29th March 2026

Due to lack of volunteers (the ranger asked for a minimum of six) today's rhodybash on Park Hall Moor near Hayfield was cancelled.

MNTV Committee

A trip to Wales, Chirk Castle - Sunday 22nd March 2026

Five of us met members of Merseyside NT volunteers and ranger Keith in the car park at Chirk on a bright and sunny morning.

Chirk is a small property but the whole estate is a SSSI so is of particular conservation importance.

The rangers have been felling trees that were encroaching on a species rich meadow that’s important for fungi such as waxcaps.  Brash, mainly laurel, needed clearing away, but what’s normally straightforward can be difficult in a protected area.  It couldn’t just be left to biodegrade or provide habitat as laurel is poisonous (it contains cyanide!) and it couldn’t be burnt due to the fungi.  An added complication was the brash was in an area boggy due to recent rain.  So the main job of the day was dragging brash from one end of the field to a firmer section for disposal.

Keith brought a wood chipper to chop up the brash and throw the chips into neighbouring woodland.

But it’s a small machine and only two or three people could work safely with it at any one time. So there’s still a job for the ranger to do in the coming weeks.

The last hour of the day was spent taking down fencing from around some saplings.

The area had been used temporarily for grazing but as the sheep had moved on to pastures new (literally!) the fencing was no longer needed.

The sun shone and the job gave us time to catch up with the Merseyside group.  And working at Chirk is always interesting due to the ecological diversity of the site.  A good day all round.

Jean

Rhodybash in Lantern Wood, Lyme Park, on Sunday 15th March 2026

Eight from MNTV met Chris, Lead Ranger at Lyme Park, in the main car park at 9:30 for a chat about what we’d be doing today then in two cars we drove to the accessible car park and walked round to the Stables where we met Ranger Jason and collected the tools for the day.

After loading the Lyme vehicle with the tools and our rucksacks, two of our group got a lift up to the stile over the dry stone wall by Lantern Wood, while the rest of us walked.  We climbed over the dry stone wall and then carried the tools and our bags further up the hill to where there were multiple piles of pre-cut rhody waiting to be burned before the start of bird-nesting season.

A couple of fire sites near the piles of rhody were selected and two fires were started.  By then two Lyme Youth volunteers joined us to help.  We had a productive morning.  The weather was dry and we got the fires started by morning break and we were pleased with our progress.

After lunch was a different story because the rain started and it turned much colder.  We struggled to stay close to the fires for warmth because the wind would erratically change direction, blowing smoke into our faces, so we kept a reasonable distance.

By the time we finished we had managed to clear a few of the piles of rhody so were pleased by what we’d done, but we were all feeling very tired, cold and wet.

Despite this, we enjoyed the day and ate lots of cake 

Sue B

Sunday 8th March 2026 - Planting a Living Legacy: MNTV’s 40th Anniversary Hedge

To celebrate MNTV’s 40th anniversary (we were founded in April 1986), volunteers gathered at Alderley Edge today for a special conservation project: planting a new native hedge which will stand as a living tribute to four decades of MNTV’s work - and with care and patience will continue growing long into the future.

If you'd like to find the site, park in the layby just at the top of the hill as you drive out of Alderley on Macclesfield Road (B5087), cross the road, walk south down a footpath and after about 5 minutes you’ll find a field on your right with a nice white NT sign . Walk along that path and the hedge will be along the fence to your left.

In total, 420 saplings were planted, generously donated by the Woodland Trust as part of their “Wild Wood” Tree Pack. The pack includes a diverse range of native species that should thrive in the local conditions: Downy Birch, Hazel, Holly, Hawthorn, Goat Willow and Crab Apple. These species will eventually form a dense, wildlife-friendly hedge providing food, shelter and nesting sites for birds, insects and small mammals.

There are already some mature trees beside the old fence and the new hedge will go between these trees. We started by laying a string line between the trees and calculating how far the hedge would go.

We needed to plant two rows 15” apart with the plants in each row 18” apart and the rows staggered so there was a plant roughly every 9” along the hedge. This arrangement will help the hedge grow thick and robust over time.

The work paused for a well-earned morning break featuring three different cakes, kindly provided by Christine - refreshments worthy of a 40th celebration. As everyone rested, the group enjoyed the sounds of birdsong and watched a bumblebee fly past. With the warmer spring weather arriving, it was a reminder that nature was already waking up around us.

After the break, volunteers paired up and continued planting in teams of two. Each pair worked steadily along the line, placing a random mix of tree species to create a natural, varied hedge.

Later in the day, as the planting neared completion, a few members of the group explored further across the field. They removed plastic tree guards from other trees nearby and took the opportunity to admire some of the impressive houses overlooking the area. One particularly dramatic property was quickly nicknamed the “Bond Villain’s Lair.” Unfortunately, the combination of razor wire and CCTV cameras made photography feel a little too risky!

By the end of the day the planting was complete. At the moment the hedge may not look like much - just rows of small saplings and bamboo canes along a fence - but with time, careful trimming and traditional laying, it will grow into a thriving boundary full of wildlife and character.

More importantly, it will stand as a living monument to everything MNTV has achieved over the past 40 years - and a reminder of the work still to come in the decades ahead.

We hope to return many times in the future to care for the hedge as it grows, ensuring that this anniversary project continues to flourish for the next 40 years and beyond.

Jenny

Litter pick at Styal on Sunday 1st March 2026

Eight of us met Ranger Stuart in the car park then piled into two cars to follow him onto the airport perimeter road. The Styal Estate virtually backs on to the airport fence and there’s a raised bank that’s a popular spot for plane spotters.

We spent the day walking the road and surrounding paths looking for rubbish.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t difficult to find but not necessarily easy to get to.  We found lots of things like cans and bottles that had been just thrown away due to laziness.

The articles of clothing we found included an M&S Autograph label jacket and a sweatshirt, T-shirt and socks.  Almost enough for a fashion parade!

We had a very British lunch break sitting between the cars, but at least the ice cream van arrived.

We collected about 35 bags of litter.  Fortunately the job of sorting the rubbish for recycling belongs to Suez.

One of the plane spotters we spoke to live streams aircraft take offs.  After we told him we were NT volunteers who should have been planting trees, he promised to organise his Facebook followers to do some additional litter picking.

This was a satisfying day.  Annoying because the job should not be necessary, but satisfying because the results were so visible - or invisible!

Jean

Another rhodybash at Lyme Park on Sunday 22nd February 2026

Six of us were back in Lantern Wood with Ranger Claire on our second rhodybash of the year.  The midweek group had left us plenty of burning to do but getting fires started was the usual challenge (damp brash and no wind to fan flames).  Even though the weather was (comparatively) dry they produced more smoke than flame.  With the additional cutting down we did, we ended the day with more brash than we started.

A lot of what we did cut down is regrowth but with luck this may be the last time.  A trial is running in a couple of locations, including Coalpit Clough, to see if cutting grooves round the tree trunk and spraying in glyphosate will work better.  The tree’s system will transport the poison so it will in effect poison itself before being cut down.

As it’s been such a wet start to the year the rangers expect our next session at Lyme will be a mass burn of all (hopefully dry) remaining brash before bird nesting season starts.

Jean

Building a "dead hedge" at Alderley Edge on Sunday 15th February 2026

Today marked another visit to Alderley Edge to continue building the “dead hedge” in Clockhouse Wood – a project we started on 11th January and have been progressing alongside other volunteer groups ever since.

Seven volunteers (Adrian, Andy & Christine, Daniel, Holly, Gordon and Jean) met rangers Alysia and Mark at the Rangers’ yard at 9:30.  The rangers transported a few of us to the worksite in their pickup, while the rest walked the mile-long route, which took about 20 minutes.  After a brief introduction from Alysia, we got started.  Everyone except Daniel had worked on this hedge before and knew the routine.  We divided the tasks between us and largely stuck with them throughout the day.  Two of us searched the surrounding area and collected suitable branches to be cut into stakes or used as infill, two whittled cut branches into stakes, one hammered in the stakes to form the hedge’s framework, and two wove branches into the spaces between the stake walls.

The hedge essentially functions as a large habitat pile, filled with offcuts from the rangers’ coppicing work in the wood, and will hopefully serve as a wildlife corridor.  It also attractively edges the footpath and will stop it inching downhill.  Around ten dog walkers passed us over the course of the day, most of whom offered very positive comments about the hedge.

The weather turned out far better than forecast, with only one brief shower before lunch.  The worksite was situated down a slope and sheltered from the wind, though windproofs were still needed all day.  We took our morning break and lunch among the holly trees about 100 metres from the worksite in an even more sheltered spot.  Daniel had baked a sultana cake – a simple six‑ingredient “working holiday” recipe he believes came from Charlie Spiller (one of our Honorary Members).

By the time we finished at 3pm we had completed 15 metres of hedge and installed stakes for a further 5 metres ready for the next group to work on.  In fact, we reached the first section of dead hedge that Andy said he and Neil had built about two years ago.

All in all, it was an excellent workday and very satisfying to be building something for a change rather than our usual “seek-and-destroy” mission!

Our next visit to Alderley is on 8 March, when we might be planting the hedge trees received from the Woodland Trust to mark our 40th anniversary in April.

Daniel

Woodland work at Lyme Park on Sunday 8th February 2026

Ten MNTVers, including Jasmin, a new recruit, met Jimmy the Ranger in the main carpark at 9.30am.  Jimmy said we’d be working along West Drive so some set off walking there and others drove and parked in The Knott carpark.

Jimmy took his vehicle along West Drive to where we’d be working.  He showed us the steep slope we’d need to climb to bring down the birch trees that had already been cut and left on the slope, either in piles or just randomly dropped.

Once we’d started bringing them down and putting them into piles near the road, Jimmy went to get his tractor and trailer so the trees could be loaded and transported to Crow Wood, near the children’s play area, to be used for dead hedging (habitat piles in the shape of a hedge).

The work was challenging and tiring, but we started making a difference quite quickly.  As it was hard working on such a steep slope, we tried not to move too much and instead formed human chains so the birch could be passed down the slope from person to person to make it easier and safer.

Ranger Jason turned up to join us, which was a help.  We started flagging a bit so had an early coffee break and cake, but got back to the task fairly quickly afterwards and started loading the tractor trailer.  After another 90mins or so, we had an early lunch with more cake!

After lunch, some of us went on the slope opposite to pull out some rhododendron regrowth while the rest of us finished stacking the birch and filling the trailer.

It was a tiring day but very enjoyable, especially when the sun came out in the afternoon.  The rangers were very complimentary about how much we’d managed to get done, and the quality of our work, which made it all worthwhile.

Sue