Sunday 14th April - Lyme Park

 There were nine of us plus Rangers Issy her last Sunday at Lyme before moving to Alderley Edge later this month. We were working in calves Croft (formerly the fallow deer sanctuary) removing fencing, taking down the netting having removed staples and then taking out fence posts & strainers. We left the large corner posts and we took the fence posts & rolled up netting to the gate on the edge of Drinkwater meadow.

There were highland cattle alongside us with young calves so Issy took one or two people over to see them at close quarters

                 

Sunday 7th April - Hardcastle Crags

Looking at the Blog, it's 3 years ago since MNTV helped Ranger Alice sort out the wood piles in the compound and the woodstore :https://mntv.blogspot.com/2021/05/various-tasks-at-hardcastle-crags-on.html

Today was a very similar day. 

Five of us met in the main car park and Alice ferried 3 of us to the wood store and outdoor wood storage compound, which are close to Gibson Mill. Andy and Christine drove their own car so we had some transport in case Alice was called away.

We joined the Hardcastle Crags volunteers who work 2 Sundays a month, so there were about a dozen of us tackling the jobs in hand, which was to move the drying wood from the tarpaulin covered wood piles via the NT vehicle and unload it into the wood store, where it could fully drive before being used for heating and powering the Mill.

We then re-stacked and re-covered these wood piles to protect the remaining wood and there were now empty lengths where the new wood, being cut during the week, could be stored.

Over to the side of the outdoor compound there were smaller wood piles which hadn't been touched for a while. They were on uneven ground so the wood was piled on individual pallets instead of runs of 3 or 4 pallets, and stabilised underneath. We found some of the pallets had rotted away in places. We decided to use the spare pallets to create new small wood piles to carry this wood and cover with the taup. While we were throwing the wood from the rotting pallets over to the newly-sited pallets, Sue shouted to stop - she'd seen that some leaves had blown off a small pile of leaves and thought she could see the spines of a hedgehog close to where we were throwing the wood over. On closer inspection, it was a hog, having a sleep, and fortunately our antics hadn't disturbed it. We covered it with more leaves and moved away from the area. It seemed to be fine, even popping its nose out after to have a sniff around before going back to sleep. 

Later on, while moving another batch of wood, we came across a big Toad, who moved himself to a safe area once he'd been disturbed.

Some of the Hardcastle Crags volunteers left around lunchtime, so then we were then a much smaller group. After lunch, Alice suggested that a few of us took loppers to cut back the beech 'whips' re-growing across from the Mill.

We had a great day, got a lot done and it was really lovely working with Alice again,

Sue B

 

 

Sunday 31st March 2024 - no workday (Easter Sunday)

Sign making at Formby on Sunday 24th March 2024

Today we were off to beautiful Formby beach, unsure as to our actual task.

Five of us met up with ranger Chris who had a brilliant day planned for us.  Our job was to complete six part-made signs and make a further two.  The two new signs were being made using timber that had been felled and machined on site.  Andy H repainted lettering on a sign which had been taken down and cleaned.

After all signs were complete we set off to "plant" them.  Unfortunately, we only had time to do two, but, even if I say so myself, they looked good.

After a cold start, it turned into a beautiful day and we even sat in the sunshine for lunch, in proper chairs at a table.  Luxury!

Thanks to Chris for a great workday and to my colleagues for their hard work and great company.

Christine

Rhodybash at Hayfield on Sunday 17th March 2024

Five of us went to Hayfield today.  We progressed the clearance of rhoddies from the moorland, filling up approximately six large bags with our cuttings.  A lot of the rhoddies were just a few years old and where craftily hiding in the bracken with a lot more present than seemed likely on first view.

The rangers where very happy with the work and we could see the areas where heather and birch trees were re-colonising the areas that had been cleared of rhoddies.  It was a very pleasant day with even a bit of sunshine and warmth suggesting spring might be here!

Martin

Cancelled Workday - Sunday 10th March - Chirk Castle and a Wedding

The plan for today was for a trip to Chirk Castle but with it being Mothering Sunday and the weather looking a bit dodgy we only had two people signed up, so it was agreed to cancel the workday and hope that next time we venture that way a few more people will sign up. 

The workday may have been cancelled but that didn't stop 4 members of the group travelling to the Lake District for the weekend to attend the wedding of former worksite leaders Matt Smethurst and Lisa Tyrer. The wedding ceremony took place at Cockermouth Town Hall on Saturday 9th March at 2pm followed by a great celebration at Buttermere Youth Hostel. It was a cold day but we wrapped up warm as much as we could in our finery, the photographer provided some confetti to throw over the happy couple. Lisa's dress was exquisite with embroidery on the skirt it had flowers and butterflies on it. 

                                                                                              

The MNTV committee were delighted to loan the MNTV bunting that member Tricia had made for our 30th Birthday and I can tell you it went round the room once and a little bit more, I hadn't realised quite how long it was. There was also a shorter section of bunting that hung in the entrance way of the youth hostel.

The evening consisted of woodfired pizzas and salads and much cake. There was also a quiz written and presented by the bride and groom.

On Sunday the majority of guests who had stayed at the youth hostel went home after a full cooked breakfast. The rest took a walk to or round Buttermere Lake and although the weather wasn't great it was still enjoyed by most. Once the walk was finished we commenced the big clear up, the bunting came down as did the fairy lights and the table cloths were packed away.

Monday dawned and as we had done the majority of the clearing the day before we hoovered and cleared the remaining bedrooms and divvied out the food.

I was delighted and honoured to attend, I had a great weekend, Many Congratulations to Matt and Lisa, come and see us soon.

Cancelled - workday at Bickerton Hill on Sunday 3rd March 2024

The plan for today was for a joint workday at Bickerton Hill with the Merseyside group.  It would have been our first visit to Bickerton since June 2014!  Sadly, the day was cancelled the day before because of insufficient numbers from MNTV and the five from Merseyside dropping out because of family commitments and illness.