One man went to mow

No photo, but Philip was up at Butterley this evening. In the rain. For the fourth session of the season.

Swords of a thousand men (well, four men and a dog)

Lots still to be done!

Third bracken bashing session of the season. Butterley again. We were: myself, Philip, Ben and Solo the dog, and Steve. There was a 50/50 split on choice of tools today. Myself and Steve had slashers. Ben and Philip favour a sickle.

We get material and financial support from Yorkshire Water and the Woodland Trust - and part of the relationship is that we undertake to weed the planted sites, in order to maximise successful growth. Still quite a lot to do so we will be piling on the emotional blackmail in order to get more boots on the ground next Saturday.

Cake was fruit slice. Midges, middling. But we had nets and Jungle Formula (sponsorship opportunity).

After bashing, Philip and I went to visit Eileen and Yogi to discuss planting up some of their land this Winter. We were enthusiastic... and they were charming.

Some enchanted evening?

Nicely bashed.

First Thursday night of bracken bashing for this season. We were; myself, Hap, Philip and Steven. No official cake, but Hap did share his with us. Pleasant evening. Not too midgy.

Bracken bashing is hard, sweaty work. But it means that the new trees get plenty of light, when otherwise they would be shaded out by the seasonal growth of bracken.

We get material and financial support from Yorkshire Water and the Woodland Trust - and part of the relationship is that we undertake to weed the planted sites, in order to maximise successful growth.

The long and winding road (up Wessenden)

Jess being helped up the steep slope by Lizzie.

So week one of this years bracken bashing, up the far far end of Wessenden. We were: myself, Dave, Jess and Lizzie the Dog, Hap, Adrian, Steve, John and Geoff.
Cake was the legendary Eccles. We got a fair bit done, but there were a lot of stakes needed banging in, and a lot of cable ties needed tightening.

Bug powder dust

Went back to Jolly's field to finish the cardboard mulch matting. Just myself, Ann and Tanya. And it just took til 11am. There were, however, shed loads of midges. A timely reminder to re-stock the insect repellent and head nets.

Unknown brother

Weeded, matted.

Today we were in Marsden trialling a new form of weed suppression. Cardboard mulch mats. The field we had planted in contains a tank and pipe supplying water to a nearby terrace, so spraying wasn't an option. We were: Dianne and Lizzie the dog, Dianne's brother Jim (who we had not met before hence this weeks song title), Jess, John, Steve, Ann and myself. Cake was jam sponge, plus Mint flavour kit kats that Dianne had brought. Very pleasant morning, lets hope it has some beneficial effect and one day this is an impenetrable hawthorn hedge worthy of a fairy tale.

Steve's feet, Ann, Jim, Jess, Dianne and John.