Woodland clearance at Styal on Sunday 17th December 2023

For the last workday of the year seven of us met with Ashley for a day of woodland clearance.  Simon, who should have been our ranger for the day, was unfortunately not well so Ashley took us to the worksite, told us what was required and left us to it which was not a problem.

We were working in Chapel Wood removing holly, hazel and any rhodi that we found, with the stipulation that we left 20% of the holly and hazel still standing.  All cuttings to be stacked so they can come along with their new chipper at a later date and get rid of it.  In fact there is that much holly that when we are back in the new year we will probably be doing the same job.

We were very lucky with the weather and even had some sunshine in the afternoon which made for a very pleasant day.  Thanks to my colleagues for all their hard work.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Christine

Christmas in Cymru, 8th - 10th December 2023

Christmas in Cymru 2023 
Wet Wet Wet feat. Santa

 

Thursday 7th December 

With plans for our annual Christmas Weekend set to be in Snowdonia in 2020 we were all looking forward to it but with the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the UK it was postponed indefinitely.  It's now December 2023 and we are finally having a long awaited Christmas weekend and our first weekend in four years.  I'm currently sat on a train heading for Manchester, tinsel in hand trying to brighten my mood and the weather.  Planning the weekend has taken time and patience but it's finally here.  I'm staying with Jenny tonight so tomorrow we can travel together at leisure to the Hendre Isaf basecamp in the Snowdonia National Park.  Hendre Isaf is a popular basecamp and with 11 people signed up it's going to be a great weekend.  I'll let you know how it goes...

Before the weekend took place, Hazel let us know that unfortunately she would not be joining us as she is not well.  Hazel - we hope you are feeling better soon.

 

Friday 8th December 

Friday dawned a little damp but we headed for Snowdonia via Chirk Castle which had some of its rooms decorated for Christmas.  Once we had consumed some lunch and looked at the animal-inspired decorations we headed to our basecamp for the weekend.  Hendre Isaf sits just in the Snowdonia National Park, at the junction of the A5 and B4407 and so is quite easy to find.  Jenny and I were first to arrive, just behind us were Mary and Neil.  On his journey to Snowdonia Neil had come across a closed road at Ruthin.  He handily let me know and I let as many people as I could know.  After he arrived he made himself at home in the “leaders” room.  He is a loud snorer!! 

We were also joined by Sarah and later Tim arrived having transported himself by pedal power from Llandudno Junction.  He'd travelled there by ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, then on a train to Llandudno Junction.  Whilst waiting for Tim and the late arrivers we decorated the basecamp with tinsel, lights and Mary's excellent crocheted snowflakes and angels. 

That evening the assembled company dined on a delicious spiced winter vegetable soup with bread and cheese.  Later, Martin and Denise, upon arrival, tucked into the soup provided.  We played a game of Who Am I? and we were joined by Adrian and Daniel having travelled together later in the day.  Having emptied Adrian's car we sorted the shopping, swapped stories and then headed to bed.

Saturday 9th December 

The day dawned wet, very wet.  Whilst we were all snug in bed, Daniel went for a run, leaving at 6.30am to be back in time for 7.30am.  We were breakfasted and ready to be met by the rangers at 9am.  Rangers Dylan and Gwilym told us that our task would be chopping down conifers in a plantation that the Trust have recently taken over.  It was a short drive over to the worksite near Penmachno then up a steep hill over to Ty Mawr Wybrnant known locally as Ty Mawr.  Some parts of the worksite were a little wet underfoot but with bowsaws, loppers, pruning saws and an axe we set to work.  The conifers were spaced out with some in groups and some on their own.  Some were not easy to get to as they were surrounded by brambles or other plants.  Morning break was called and we used the back of the rangers' pickup truck as a table to put the cake on.  After break we got back to our chopping and it started to rain more.  At the start of the day Dylan said if anyone found a tree they liked they could take it home to decorate.  I decided I would look a bit odd on the train with a Christmas tree so declined, but Denise took up the option and managed to squeeze a tree into her car.

When lunch time came it was raining A LOT so Dylan suggested we went undercover for lunch which was gratefully received by us all.  To get undercover we had to drive down to Ty Mawr.  We were very thankful for the cover whilst eating lunch.  Jenny and I surprised the group and Dylan too with leftover soup for lunch.  It was decided that working in the afternoon would be a mistake.  Dylan offered to open up Ty Mawr so we could have a look.  Ty Mawr is famous for being the place were Bishop William Morgan, known as the Saviour of the Welsh language, was born in 1545. He was the person who translated the bible from Latin into the Welsh language, which is one of the reasons the Welsh language is still very much used today. 

If you would like to know more about Ty Mawr then please see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/ty-mawr- 

Whilst the majority of the group looked around Ty Mawr, Jenny and Denise headed back to base to get a head start on the showers as they had kindly offered to cook Christmas dinner.  Before the weekend I had persuaded Daniel to make it easier for the cooks by buying pre-cut potatoes, carrots, sprouts. etc.  We all agreed it would be a lot easier.  Jenny and Denise were about half an hour in front of the rest of the group. As the rest of the group headed back up the steep hill from Ty Mawr, I was contacted by Jenny to tell me that the key was in the basecamp and both she and Denise were outside.  Somehow the door had closed leaving them on the outside with no way to get in.  One group headed to basecamp with rangers in tow and the other to Betws-y-Coed to pick up a few provisions and take some photos as it has been a while since we have been there.  With a little help from Dylan and Gwilym a spare key was located and we were able to let ourselves in.  Once we were all back at basecamp and had enjoyed a hot shower mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed and Santa paid a visit.  Santa's gifts included chocolates, games, a Venus fly trap and a Christmas pudding bauble.  Everyone was pleased with their gifts.

After more chatting, dinner was called.  It was delicious!  With there being not quite so many vegetables as normal we ate up all the food.  For dessert we enjoyed Mary's Christmas pudding or leftover Lemon Meringue Pie.  Once the washing up was done we moved to the comfier chairs and partook in crochet chat or reading books and magazines.  Bedtime was called at about 10.30pm.

Sunday 10th December

Sunday dawned wet.  Daniel did his 10km run (same route as yesterday but in reverse direction).  Breakfast (bacon and baked beans) was cooked expertly by Neil.  Looking at the weather forecast the morning wasn't looking great.  We took down the decorations, waged war with our sleeping bags and threw those boots that had been drying on the radiator into the car.  Some headed straight home but others who studied the rain radar realised that the rain wasn't sticking around for very long so four of us made a trip to Bodnant Garden.  Whilst in the garden although the Labernum Arch was not in flower we did enjoy some excellent colour from the Dogwood in the winter garden and we got some stunning views of the Carneddau Mountains.  The sun also made a brief appearance.  We gave our custom to the coffee kiosk at the bottom of the garden, of course using our volunteer cards.

     

 

The garden was very quiet.  As Adrian noted, where were all the people who owned all the cars in the carpark?  At about 2.30pm Jenny, Daniel, Adrian and I parted company and headed for home.

It's Monday now and I'm currently on the train home to Edinburgh.  It's looking awfully grey as I head north.  There look to be some flooded fields.  I've asked Dylan to book Snowdonia for Christmas in Cymru in 2024 and am hoping it won't be quite as wet as this year.

Denise has also sent in a picture of her tree decorated.

My thanks must go to Jenny for her hospitality and driving before and after the weekend, Daniel for being weekend leader, Adrian and Martin for driving to and from the worksite, Denise and Jenny for cooking Christmas dinner, Neil for cooking breakfast, Dylan and Gwilym for hosting us despite the wet weather and finally for everyone else who came to the weekend.  To everyone else - where were you?

Ally

Cancelled - workday at Lyme Park on Sunday 3rd December 2023

Today's workday at Lyme Park (rhodybash in Lantern Wood) was cancelled by the rangers early this morning on safety grounds following the overnight snow.

Birch sapling removal at Alderley Edge on Sunday 26th November 2023

Nine volunteers met up with ranger Duncan for a day of vegetation removal, namely self-seeded birch.

We were working in the same field across the road from the car park that we worked in at the beginning of the year.  A corporate group had been in earlier in the week and had made a great impression.  Duncan pointed out the area we were tasked with clearing.  First impressions were there wasn't a lot - how wrong could we be!

After lunch we helped load the trailer with split tree trunks which were to be used for cleft fencing.  As the trees were oak, even though split, they were very heavy.  Once done, whilst Duncan took the trailer to the yard we continued "popping" birch.

It was a strenuous day but we left tired but happy with what we had achieved, as was Duncan.

Thank you to my colleagues for their very hard work and to Duncan and his faithful dog for a good workday.

Christine

Reinstating a mountain bike path at Lyme Park on Sunday 19th November 2023

Eight MNTV volunteers met the Lyme Ranger in the main car park at 9.30am.  It was confirmed that we would be reinstating a mountain bike path in Hase Bank wood so we moved our cars to the car park by the Knot which was nearby.  Apparently the mountain bike path had fallen into disrepair after felling had taken place in the wood and a number of trees had fallen across the path.

We set to with our mattocks, spades, shovels, slashers and loppers, clearing the path of overgrown vegetation and removing moss and soil off the rocks.  We felled small trees and brambles that were too close to the path but we left the Ranger to clear or adapt the fallen tree trunks with his chainsaw enabling bikes to ride through or be lifted over with ease.

We worked hard and were rewarded at elevenses with bakewell slices and flapjacks from Jenny, which were delicious.  Sadly it rained on us quite a bit, which was a shame, and we got very wet, so much so that after lunch when the rain had been falling continuously for over an hour some of the group decided to call it a day.  Others were content to carry on with the task after lunch and others wanted to help Jenny decorate the MNTV Christmas tree in the timber yard.

The bike path team worked really hard in the afternoon and managed to clear all the way through to the first exit near the west gate.  There were two more exits beyond that, but we managed to make a big difference.

The Christmas tree team were joined by Julia, the volunteer co-ordinator and we had fun (and a bit of shelter) threading up and hanging the decorations people had donated (silver foil, bottles and tools cut from sweet tins).  We also hung some baubles with text explaining the theme of the tree and a bit about the work MNTV does.

Sue B and Jenny

Cancelled - workday at Hayfield on Sunday 12th November 2023

Sadly, today's rhodybash near Park Hall, Hayfield, was cancelled because of insufficient numbers.  Ranger Chris had said a minimum of four were required and by the 12 noon Friday cut off only three had signed up at which point we agreed with Chris that the workday was off.  Two more signed up later that afternoon but we were unable to contact Chris to ask if the workday could go ahead after all.

Removing a fence and scraping steps at Quarry Bank Mill on Sunday 5th November 2023

11 from MNTV met Stuart, the Styal Ranger, in the volunteer's car park.  We walked a short distance to a field near to the mill where we started removing an old fence.  We decided to start at both ends so we could spread out, cutting back vegetation first so we could get to the fence, removing and collecting the staples holding the barbed wire and the fencing wire, rolling them up so they could be reused/disposed of safely, and finally removing the fence posts.  Some had rotted so snapped off in the ground and some had been put in so securely that it took a number of us to get them out!!

We stopped for morning break and were just getting settled in the field when it started raining (!!) so we gathered up our stuff and decamped to the shelter by the old entrance to Quarry Bank Mill.  We stayed lovely and dry there while we enjoyed Sue D's mince slices with our hot drinks.

After our morning break we went back to the field and finished the job, carrying the fence posts, rolls of barbed wire, rolls of fencing, litter and all our tools, up the incline to Stuart's vehicle so he could take everything back to the compound.

After our lunch break under the shelter (when we had slices of Sue D's apple cake) we walked into Chapel Wood where we finished the day scraping off leaves and excess soil from the paths and steps down to the bridge and up the other side.  It was hard work but made very enjoyable by the lovely comments we got from the families passing by who thanked us for doing this job.

At the end of this task we walked down to the mill where we had our group photo taken in front of the impressive poppy display cascading down from the mill building.  The poppies had been knitted and crocheted by many people with connections to Quarry Bank Mill including some of our own volunteers and their families and our Chairman's mum stitched them all together - a momentous task but hopefully well worth it, as they make such an impressive display.

Sue B