Rhodybash at Lyme Park on Sunday 8th November 2026

We had a big group out at Lyme this Sunday for a rhodybash in Lantern Wood. We had a new joiner doing his Duke of Edinburgh award, honorary member Tim Jarvis (up from Essex visiting old friends) and Martin Swithenbank (MNTVer from the early 2000s who has recently rejoined the group). It was lovely to see so many people out for the day.

We walked up to the rhode in Lantern Wood. It really does get further to walk each time, because we make our way up, clearing the rhody as we go.

We started with a tool talk and fire safety briefing then picked our jobs. A couple of people went to get the fire started and the rest of us started to cut more fuel.

At 11am the fire was going well and we had two minutes' silence for Remembrance Day followed by delicious cake.  Thanks Sue D.  At this point a second fire was started further up the hill by shovelling some of the glowing embers from the first fire.

By mid-afternoon we made a breakthrough and could see through the rhody towards the top of the hill. After several years the end is in sight! But don’t worry, there is still enough to keep us going for a couple of years at least.

By the end of the day we had two roaring fires which were burning up  everything we could throw at them.  

We made our way back down the hill, pleased with our progress, but knowing that the walk up the hill next time would be just a little bit longer.

Jenny

Lifting dahlias at Biddulph Grange Garden on Sunday 1st November 2026

It started off a misty day, but the mist soon lifted and we got a lovely view through the autumn trees.

Nine from MNTV joined some of the regular Biddulph garden volunteers to take out dahlias and plant tulips in the beds.

The mild autumn we have had meant the dahlias were still in flower. It seemed a shame to be cutting them down, but we saved a few blooms for the tea rooms and passersby.

The task seems simple but it’s harder than it looks to make sure the right labels are attached to the right type of dahlia corm, and all boxed up neatly to be stored over winter.

We worked through the day with a break for cake (traditional parkin and lemon drizzle). After the dahlias were out the garden team started to plant bulbs (the sacks in the photo above each have 500 bulbs in and there is a sack per bay). The bulbs are randomly thrown onto the ground to give a natural scatter. They will make a lovely display in the spring.

As usual the gardening team looked after us well and it was nice to meet up with some of the regular Biddulph volunteers. Who knows, we might be back to remove the tulips and put the stakes back in next spring.

Jenny