We moved along Sledgegate and took a few remaining guards off in an area next to the road just above Baker's Stonecote, then moved to the far end of the road and entered the plantings next to the mature conifer plantation. This area, planted around 2010, along with the birch that stretch down from it on a small exposed ridge, is the last site on this side of Scammonden that requires significant guard removal. It is not so easy to get onto the site as it is overgrown, steep and chock-a-block with nettles, but once there it is a secluded and lovely young woodland with quite a special feel: the much larger Italian alder are doing a great job at providing a shelter belt for the oak. Weather was fine and pleasant, if a little cold for the time of year. We were: Geoff, Jess, Lee, Sophie, Ben, Kati, Hap, Adrian, Jonathan and Tessie.

Going up

 

Dianne, Jon and Sophie, and some guards.

Back to Scammonden for more guard and stake removal/retrieval. Maybe not as glamorous work as actual tree planting, but important if we are to plant new trees sustainably and responsibly.

Good turnout this morning with; myself, Dianne, Tanya, Jon and Tessie, Adrian, Hap, Geoff, Dave, Sophie, and Steve.

Lots got done and the heavy rain held off until we were back at our cars at the end.

There was some discussion about the various ways of pronouncing "up" by group members (received, estuary, and yorkshire).

https://youtu.be/L2xEKA0bw9k

Green light

Todays blog entry written by Hap. I was at home car-less. The following appears to be laden with old sitcom references, though one has been changed by the blog moderator (me).

Back to Scammonden today where the self appointed SAS section of the CVTS (special arboreal squad) took on the thorny challenge of removing guards from the hawthorn (and the dead ash).. in the words of President Bush "mission accomplished". We were; Dave (squadron leader), Adrian (whose sister Dolly made the sandwiches), Hap (punka wala) and Geoff (aka Wolfie).

And you know those chaps would approve of a bit of Beyonce.

https://youtu.be/bOXvqkC3W4M

It's a good thing

 Ben organised some of his Good Gym buddies to move some guards at Scammonden. Good man!

Details on the GoodGym page here:

https://www.goodgym.org/reports/changing-of-the-guards?utm_campaign=follow_up&utm_content=run_report&utm_medium=email&utm_source=goodgym

And a song

https://youtu.be/xSgcDU1qHWM

Walk on by

This afternoon we took a tour of three woodlands that are owned by Kirklees, but that we planted up years ago, and are in need of some TLC. Myself, Philip and Stephen were joined by Andy Wickham, who is Volunteer Coordinator for Kirklees, and liaises with the various voluntary groups carrying out woodland and parkland management.

With Andy's input we came up with action points for Guy Edge, Royd House Wood, and Woods Avenue Marsden. Once we have written these up we will send them to Andy who will get them approved and we can proceed with the various tasks.

Saw two deer at Woods Avenue. Brazen they were. Nonchalant.

https://youtu.be/jqfqVDHNW6c

Back for good

 This morning we were at Scammonden, again, but the monotony was lifted by the attendance of Steve!

Altogether we were: myself, Adrian, Jared, Alastair, Geoff, Steve and Philip.

Lots of plastic tubes and stakes were retrieved for re-use or disposal.

Steve was back!!

https://youtu.be/N2ICtCO8TCw

Eagle

 

Back at Scammonden, reclaiming and collecting waste. We were: myself, Geoff, Adrian, Jess, Tanya, Hap, Dave, and Ben. 

We saw a Buzzard, which is not an eagle, but a bit like one.

https://youtu.be/dDI7x1nwTUw