Sunday 30th April 2023 - no workday (Early May Bank Holiday weekend)

Installing timber barriers at the deer sanctuary at Lyme Park on Sunday 23rd April 2023

Ten of us spent today, Saint George's Day, volunteering at Lyme Park with ranger Alex Bond.  In the morning a large group of scouts and parents paraded with flags from the main car park to the Cage and as we worked we had a good view of them on the skyline.

Our task was installing timber barriers along the boundary of the deer sanctuary that extends out from East Drive to Coalpit Clough.  There is no fencing along the boundary of the sanctuary (so presumably the deer come and go!) but instead there are deer signs at regular intervals and low-to-the-ground T-shaped timber barriers.

The job had two elements, the first being to dig out the existing barriers (many of which had rotten supports) and replace with new ones.  The old barriers had three supports and one horizontal rail but to make the new supports go further we replaced three supports with two which usually meant repositioning one of the two supports.

Charlie and Sue digging out an old barrier

The second element was to instal new barriers in the gaps between the old barriers to give a stronger visual impression that the sanctuary was fenced off and discourage walkers from venturing into it.

Martin, Victor and Andy installing a new barrier

One of the new barriers were installed

By 3pm we had installed old and new barriers as far as East Drive Cottage so called it a day.  On our walk back to the main car park we stopped outside the rangers' yard for a group photo in front of the tractor that Alex had been driving all day to move timbers up and down East Drive.

Daniel

Rhodybash at Gawthorpe Hall on Sunday 16th April 2023

Six of us met in the car park at 9:45 before walking round to meet ranger Joe Karakousis in front of the hall.

Joe explained he would like to be leaving for 2pm as it is Greek Easter this weekend and as he has Greek ancestry wanted to spend it with his family in Yorkshire.  So, we all walked up the drive to an area of woodland which had quite a bit of rhod growing.  The need for wellington boots soon became obvious as it was very wet in places.  The area we were working had formerly had a tramline running through it which was for the transportation of coal as there were a quite a number of coal mines in the area.

As it was in theory a short day we worked through until noon and just had a lunch break with the obligatory cake of course, but saying that we did make quite an impact on the rhody.  There was a slight hiccup as we came across a couple of bird nests so covered them back up with cuttings and moved to work elsewhere.

Joe left us at 2 and we started to clear things up, gather our tools and walk back down to the cars.

We had a good work day and Joe was very accommodating and has invited us back any time.  Thanks to my colleagues for their hard work and good company. 

Christine

Easter Sunday, 9th April 2023 - no workday

Cancelled - workday at Erddig on 2nd April 2023

Sadly today's workday at Erddig, a joint workday with the Merseyside group, had to be cancelled because of the lack of a ranger.  We contacted a couple of local properties (Styal, Lyme Park) but were not able to find an alternative venue at which to volunteer.

Next week is Easter Sunday so our programme resumes on 16th April at Gawthorpe Hall.

MNTV Committee

Brash bashing at Styal on Sunday 26th March 2023

Ten volunteers spent today at Styal where the main task was moving a lot of brash that had been cut as part of some recent hedge laying.  The brash was then stacked next to a pond to form a habitat.  We also removed a small piece of old fencing.  Ranger Ceara was happy with our work.

Martin

Some of the brash

The cleared field

The new habitat

The little bit of fence removed

Filling in holes on bike trails at Formby on Sunday 19th March 2023

A cohort of five MNTVers drove to Formby on a cool but surprisingly bright March morning to meet Nathan, our Ranger boss for the day. The job was filling in holes - a change from digging them! - in the woods just a five minute walk from the Countryside offices. This part of the woods is a SSSI and Nature England has given permission for a small Wild Bike Trail where bike (not motorbike!) enthusiasts can build jumps.

It’s a multi-use area and the rules for the trail are quite strict - digging holes is allowed but some were so deep tree roots were being undermined posing a danger to walkers as well as the trees. But at least the jumps being built were nearby so we ‘just’ had to put the soil back where it came from. Hopefully the trees will survive a few more years now. In other areas, walking paths were being built up to provide bike tracks. After more shovelling the surfaces were suitable for walking again.

During the day some of the bikers and their parents came over concerned their fun was being spoiled. It gave Nathan an opportunity to do some education and remind them the area is protected and is for mixed use of walkers as well as bikers.

Jean