Bracken bashing at Helsby Hill on Sunday 7th August 2016

You can't beat a slash on a hillside in the sunshine. At least, not when it involves clearing a large area of bracken to protect an iron age hill fort, while soaking up the sun and enjoying views from the Pennines to Snowdonia.

We were on Helsby Hill, armed with slashers and a few saws and loppers, to attack the bracken that was threatening to overwhelm the ramparts of the iron age fort overlooking the village below.

Bracken, bracken, everywhere

As the bracken dies off in autumn, it draws the sugars from the fronds back into the root, which can grow strong enough to disturb the important archaeology beneath the surface. By cutting off the plants above ground, the sugars are lost and the root system is weakened, protecting the archaeology.

We had a large area to tackle, but thankfully we also had a large army to do so: 13 of us had turned out, even through Helsby is slightly further afield than many of the properties we attend. We set up base above the sheer cliffs above the village, and after a short safety talk ("Don't fall off!") we set to our task.

Andy shows how to master the 'casual pose with bracken slasher'

The bracken was thick and high, but progress was quick with the strength in numbers that we had. Within half an hour of starting, Neil felt we'd done enough to earn our morning break - we managed to get another 15 minutes done before stopping, but we were already making visible inroads.

After more slashing, more progress, and few dogs nosing around the bag that contained the chocolate brownies, it was time for lunch, during which Lisa was viciously attacked by a wasp, albeit without being stung.

"I was up there": Tim tells Lisa how he was first to reach the ramparts

After lunch we worked our way up the hill, with Tim probably claiming the honour of reaching the ramparts first. Eventually more people reached the top of the slope. John was less lucky than Lisa when he disturbed a wasp nest and got a dozen stings for his trouble.

MNTV shows the  bracken who's boss

By the end of the day there was not much bracken left for the Chester group to continue the work the following Tuesday. We had a quick photo at the trig point (Neil used my boots as ear-muffs) and headed for home.

Atop Helsby Hill

Workday at Helsby Hill on 18 October 2015 - cancelled

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the workday to Helsby Hill this Sunday had to be cancelled.

It's not often that workdays are cancelled and it's a shame when they are but hopefully we will have a good turnout at Biddulph Grange Garden next week.

MNTV Committee 

Helsby Hill - 6th October 2013

Four of us travelled down the M56 today for a rare workday at Helsby Hill, a dramatic sandstone escarpment near Frodsham. We would have been seven but for three overnight dropouts. Today was a joint workday with Chester NTV's 'Sunday' group and the ten of us including ranger Dave Morris spent the day cutting back regenerated growth (oak/birch) throughout woodland above the cliff edge and in the summit heathland. Herbicide was sprayed on the open cuts to ensure no regrowth.

View to Welsh border and Stanlow refinery

We were blessed with beautiful autumn weather all day and over elevenses of coffee and gingerbread and throughout lunch enjoyed the fantastic views from the worksite across to the Wirral and Liverpool. The vista from the hilltop itself was even better and in addition we could see Beeston and Peckforton Castles and the Welsh border hills.

Helsby Hill summit

Chester will be planning their January-June 2014 programme in the next few weeks and once we know their Sunday schedule we will arrange more joint workdays next year.

Helsby Hill workday on 7th April 2013

Today's workday at Helsby Hill - a joint workday with Merseyside NTV - was cancelled last Friday because  of the snow conditions.  On Friday Dave Morris (ranger) inspected the worksites where we were due to carry out path work and woodland work and decided that it wasn't on.  Hard to believe given the warm spring sunshine today in Stockport but having been on the Wirral two weeks ago I can vouch for there then being ridiculous amounts of snow.

Hopefully we can schedule a workday at Helsby Hill in the summer or autumn.  It's a site that we seldom visit and it would be nice to go back there.

Helsby Hill 29//11/9

I overslept and missed this - words mostly copied from Sue's email

We met with 7 from the Merseyside volunteers and did a litter-pick, cut back overhanging branches from the pathways and cleared fallen leaves where there
was a safety issue. Although the work wasn't taxing, it was nice to work
with the Merseyside group.

Unfortunately it rained on us a few times and, as the Merseyside group keep
the property well maintained anyway, once we'd done a circuit of the paths
and cleared them, we decided to call it a day.