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| Geoff, in a before-ish picture |
Back to Meltham, and into the briar patch. A fraction of an large area of brambles was cleared, and planted with 60 Hazel, 25 Aspen, 75 Downy birch, and 5 Oak. It was dry, but a bit foggy.
Ann's Mince pies were consumed, but no alcohol.
We were: myself, Geoff, Dave, John, Jon and Tess, Jess, Hap, Peter, Michael, Philip, Tanya, Cath, Stephen, Steve, Matthew, Murray, plus a friend of Tess and her family including Matt.
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| Cath and Matt, in an after-ish photo |
We were: myself, Dave, Philip, Tanya, Jess, Lee, Steve, Stephen, Harry, Peter, Peter 2, Hap, Cath, Ben, and John.
We planted 125 Oak, 90 Downy Birch, 25 Aspen and 30 Hazel.
First day of planting of the season, and the weather could not have been much worse. Wind and cold rain. We all ended up pretty mucky, though the rain did wash some of the mud off toward the end. Silver linings eh?
We were: myself, John H., Jon and Tess, Tanya, Shelley, Julia, Hap, Stephen, Ben, Murray, Matthew, Lee, Harry, Philip, Geoff, Dave, Peter, and Michael.
We planted 30 hazel, 150 sessile oak, 90 downy birch and 25 aspen.
So after a challenging week dealing with suppliers and haulage companies we have had our trees and materials delivered. Not the hedging. But the trees.
5 deliveries on 5 different days from 4 different suppliers, and 4 different haulage companies. I spent quite a lot of time at the nursery making phone calls to various suppliers, transport hubs, and delivery drivers.
Thanks to all the volunteers that gave up their time to help: myself, Alastair, Stephen, Richard, Tanya, Sophie, Dave, Philip, Sarah, Geoff, Adrian, Hap, Bob, plus Simon, Mick, Steve and couple of others I don't know the names of from River Holme Connections.
Somehow, this pop/folk song about the plight of a Victorian mother seems appropriate.
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With the aid of willin' helpers and a willin' delivery driver we received a huge amount of tree planting materials today. Only 5 more deliveries to go?
CVTS folk were myself, Dave, Hap, Tanya, Adrian and Bob.
Plus Simon and 4 other folk from River Holme Connections.
Country rock classic about truck drivin'
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| Hap, Baljit and Dave |
Just four stalwarts this week collecting more stakes and tubes (oh, and Philip who carried on clearing a footpath at the Western end of the site). The four were Geoff, Hap, Baljit, and Dave.
Weather was chilly but sunny and all round a delightful morning.
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| Matthew rocking his wellies and shorts trademark look. |
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| Lots of tubes, and Cath, Geoff, Julia and me. |
Up at Wholestone Moor working hard retrieving old plastic tree guards for re-use and disposal. We were; myself, Julia, Richard, Dave, Ben, Cath, Tanya, Hap, and Geoff.
Bit wet and windy, but it always is up there.
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| Who's that funny little fella? Me, Steve, Geoff and Hap's shoulder |
I think both Steve and I lost knives this morning, nothing valuable. but annoying. So the song title is particularly aposite, as well as being a belter.
And apparently this blog has been lost to google, so am investigating that.
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| Matthew and Murray, and Geoff |
Whats up? We were up. Climbing a near vertical slope to get to the top of Pasture Wood, Marsden. And then removing old plastic tree guards. A couple of bags of re-usable ones, some wooden stakes, and some bags of trash for the tip.
We were: myself, Dave, Baljit, Hap, Richard, Ben, Murray, Matthew, Tanya, Kayleigh, and Geoff.
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| Paul carries that weight, and Tanya and Geoff. |
Up at Scout Top, Marsden for a spot of guard removal.
We were: myself, Geoff, Murray, Dave, Paul, Tanya, Shelley, Kayleigh and Dave.
On the way down there was a moment of mild peril, when a moderately sized stone got knocked and rolled down the hill towards Murray, who fended it off with a bag of guards.
This morning Geoff and crew were at Scammonden SC3 removing more guards. They were; Geoff, Ben, Dave, Steve G., Jess, Lee, and Joanna and small dog.
Geoff has provided nice before and after photos for today's session.
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| Worse |
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| Better |
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| Richard and Philip strategise the destruction. |
This morning a handful of us were at a previous planting site, Parkwood, to cut back willow that were overwhelming some blackthorn and shading out ground that could be used for allotment plots. We were: Philip and Stephen on chainsaws, myself, Dave, Kayleigh, and owner Richard. Risk assessment done and signed, PPE worn.
Meanwhile Geoff and Michael were at Scammonden collecting more old tree guards, and a mystery skull (small deer?)
Last full team go at Netherwood. We were: myself, Sophie, Steve, Geoff, Jess, Lee, Murray, Dave, Paul, Tanya, Peter and Philip.
A large number of bags were filled, and a quick survey of the site was done to see whether there was a need for thinning.
More discussion of the CVTS song, and singing, at breaktime.
Once more up at Netherwood. We were: myself, Geoff, Matthew, Paul, Peter, Tanya, Kayleigh, Dave, Shell, Stephen, and Jess. Hacking our way through the brambles and removing old plastic tree guards.
Really only one song title suitable for this week.
A new knife safety regime began today. We are doing more work with knives, cutting and removing plastic tree guards for re-use. However this has seemed to result in two quite bad accidents with those knives this year, trips to casualty in both cases.
So we trialled two types of new knife today. Safety parcel cutters, with a fixed but entirely enclosed blade, picture below, and a much more expensive and more complex knife with an auto self retract blade.
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| Other brands are available, but these were big and sturdy. |
https://youtu.be/0QDKLglEP5Y
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| Steve points and laughs at a fallen tree. He's a fun gi. |
Today Geoff led the charge at Scammonden SC6 for yet more guard removal. He was joined by Steve, Cath, Kayleigh, Jess, Shelley and Dave.
Philip and I were doing a bit of light woodland management at Tanya's. More trees falling, and more laughing.
Our tree order goes in on Monday morning. 5910 new trees and shrubs for the valley.
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| Jess , Sophie and Michael with slashers. |
This week was the final week or our program for light for the Wessenden trees. Knocking back the shady bracken. We were: myself, Philip, Dave, Hap, Stephen, Kayleigh, Jess, Sophie, Michael, Paul and Julia.
A day bracken bashing at Butterley. This time around the end of the lagoon, where a lot of young trees were getting, or had got pulled down by the bracken. We were: myself, Paul, Stephen and Adrian. Not enough people for the work, and there is still more to do at the lagoon, and further up the track at the lodge.
Also, Dave, Kayleigh, Hap, Ben S., Graham and Geoff were at Scammonden removing tree guards from mature trees.
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| Michael in the mist |
Back to Wessenden to discourage more bracken from shading out the small trees. Plus some tube and stake removal. The morning began with torrential rain, but it did back off to light rain and fog by lunchtime!
We were: Philip, Geoff, Kayleigh, Michael, Matthew, Peter, myself, Paul, and Adrian.
Animal antics. We saw two fawns and a doe, a jackdaw sitting on a cows head, and a sheep that shook the rain off itself like dogs do.
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| A tiny oak is grateful for the light. |
En masse up to Wessenden this week, for bracken bashing. Its nothing personal, but when you have gone to the bother of planting trees, its annoying to have bracken shade them out and kill them in their first couple of years.
We were: Paul, Geoff, Dave, Philip, Peter, Kayleigh, Adrian, Murray, and myself. And it poured with rain most of the morning, and was humid, so there was no escaping getting soaked.
While it might have been a rainy day, our turnout in Summer is always less than Winter. People like to plant trees, but a good few of those people don't wanna do the work that makes sure they grow. Something we need to factor in to how many trees we can plant and care for each year.
The Scammonden contingent were Geoff, Dave, Hap, Michael, Steve G. and Peter. They continued clearning SC5 and SC6, Dave took re-useable materials back the nursery, and waste to the tip.
Over above Slaithwaite myself, Philip, Kayleigh, Matthew, Tanya, and Adrian spent the morning weeding the hedging planted at the sides of the fields at Hey 2. There were a lot of nettles, and we got a lot stung. And once again I managed to cut myself, this time with a sickle. Nothing major, but its getting a habit. On the plus side there were chickens.
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Two groups again. Philip, myself and Tanya were at Waller Clough, giving the grass a haircut - so that the hedge we planted isn't overwhelmed. Dave had lent me his sickle, and I was so impressed I have bought one for my future use.
Dave, Geoff, Ben, Peter, Hap, Michael and Max were at Scammonden removing more guards from established planting.
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| Beautiful pic of Steve communing with nature, by Jess |
Geoff, Ben, Jess, Dave, Steve, Kayleigh and Michael were at Scammonden today, removing more plastic tree guards. It looks like it was lovely.
Steve was apparently listening to a (not the) cricket.
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| Tanya and Steve |
A beautiful morning at Green Hill Clough, with everyone in one place, and all very convivial. Removing plastic tree guards from a site planting around 2003 (mostly).
We were: Geoff, myself, Dave, Paul, Kayleigh, Tanya, Steve G., Michael, and Matthew.
Ann had made us Bakewell tart.
There was some talk of stoats dancing. Having watched some videos I'd say that its more larking about than dancing, but I'd say that of Michael Clark too.
Dave and I spent a sad morning collecting burnt plastic tree guards from above Butterley.
Close up, those trees don't look too good. No buds or leaves, but some green still visible if you scratch bark, so maybe they'll come back.
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| Wide open spaces? Where dem trees? |
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| Dave and Paul at Marsden |
Another divided day.
Myself, Dave, Paul, Matthew, Alastair, Philip, and Kayleigh were in Marsden reclaiming about 300 short stakes and guards for re-use in the Autumn.
Geoff, Jess, Tanya, Steve G and Bob were at Scammonden.
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| Jess and Bob at Scammonden |
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| Jess in the bag |
More double trouble with two crews removing old plastic tree guards at different places.
In Marsden we were myself, Sarah P., Jess, Kayleigh, Tanya, Murray, Max, Matthew, Michael, Dave, and owner Neil.
At Scammonden were Geoff, Sophie, Steve G., Steve G2., Peter and Cath
And at Marsden Neil had us scouring the field for intruder deers and foals. Click here for tune.
There were a lot of failures at the Eastern end of the Marsden site, where we had planted a large number of ash, just before ash die back hit. The rest of the site is doing really really well.
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A stupidly rainy morning, but small and intrepid bands of all star volunteers did sterling work.
Myself, Kayleigh, Matthew, Michael, and landowners Neil and Sarah cleared 4 big bags of old guards from their small field in Marsden.
A similarly starry line up at Scammonden comprised Geoff, Peter, Cath, Sophie, Steve G, Steve G2, Alastair and Jared.
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| Scammonden group |
This Saturday AM Geoff was back removing plastic at Scammonden, with Tanya, Richard, Alastair, Jared, Lee, Sophie and Steve G2 (two Steves is one thing, we now have two Steve Gs).
We were finishing removing the plastic from Jolly's field in Marsden, myself, Dave, Matthew, Murray, and for a while, Kayleigh. Got 32 deer stakes, 50 short guards, and 25 deer guards for re-use.
Its a very low key Cuckoo festival day in Marsden today.
Some of us were in Marsden reclaiming 150+ long tree tubes and 75+ stakes from a planting done about 8 years ago. Plus one bag of trash guards that were either too small or too damaged to re-use. We were: myself, Paul, Matthew, Sarah, Kayleigh, Murray, and Julia.
Geoff led a group at Scammonden, comprising himself, Jess, Lee, Tanya and Shelley. Their bird of the day was the willow warbler, nice pic by Jess.
We were: myself, Philip, Kayleigh, Paul, and Julia.
Plus Geoff, Richard, Dave, Cath, Jess and Lee were at Scammonden collecting and bagging up more guards.
Up to Wessenden Lodge this morning to re-guard a bunch of trees that were collateral damage during the great rhododendron removal campaign. Myself Dave and Stephen wondered around on the stricken hillside tending to the survivors.
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| Sarah and Michael in the snow |
This morning we were up Wessenden, retrieving and tidying tree guards on previous plantings.
Weather was supposed to be sunny spells in the morning turning to wintery showers in the afternoon. It was the opposite. Steady snow all morning, and now you need factor 50 in the back yard!!!
Still the young and the foolish carried on. We were: myself, Philip, Paul, Laura, Shaun, Kayleigh, Sarah, Murray, and Peter.
On the way back down we encountered a near full set of emergency services who had turned out for a crashed mountain biker. Helicopter, ambulance and a dozen mountain rescuers. He'd only been riding down the (drive-able) Wessenden track. Still, hope he is ok.
Meanwhile, Geoff, Steve, Jess, Lee, Tanya and Richard were at Scammonden removing guards. Though it was apparently a bit more sheltered there.
Nice bass line Bass.
Today, Hap, Geoff and Dave went down the track at Scammonden and retrieved 100 deer stakes for re-use. They also did a litter pick along the way, and spoke to a Yorkshire Water Ranger. Had a discussion with her about the piles of tree guards, and how we are talking to Yorkshire Water about their disposal.
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| No oaks here. |
A reduced team this week, at Longwood Edge helping New College to plant some trees that they acquired.
We were: Jess, Lee, Laura, Kayleigh, Michael, Dave, Peter, John H., Richard, Jared, Alastair, Julia, Jon, Tessie, and myself - plus Sarah and her colleagues from New college.
Not many trees, so the work got done quickly with an early finish.
We planted 45 downy birch, 45 oak, 30 goat willow, 30 hazel, 30 rowan, 15 elder, 30 blackthorn, 15 hawthorn and 15 dog rose.
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| Clouds, sunshine, blue sky, hail, and vividly wet vegetation. |
Our official last day of the planting season, the last of our own trees for this year.
We were up high, Netherwood, Marsden, in the wind, rain, sleet, sunshine and hail. A strange day. But still convivial.
We were: Sophie, Geoff, Dave, Matthew, Stephen, Ben, Julia, Kayleigh, Tanya, Shelley, Jon, Richard, John H., Paul, Hap, Philip, Jess, Lee, Jared, Alastair, and myself.
We planted 240 trees, oak, rowan and crab apple.
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| Industrious chap that Jared. |
This week we were in two groups. Both groups had great views of the valley.
One group was at New Hey up west of Marsden. We were: myself, Dave, Hap, Julia, Shelley, Jess, Lee, Kayleigh, Paul, Jared, Alastair, Jon, and birthday girl Tessie! We planted: 50 blackthorn, 25 crab apple, 25 dogwood, 6 rowan, 25 dog rose, 10 elder, 100 hawthorn, and 25 hazel
The other team were up above Spring St. Slaithwaite, and were: Geoff, Matthew, Tanya, Peter, John H., Ben, Kati, Jo, Cath, Oscar, Stephen, John F., and Max. They planted, 115 sessile oak 35 rowan, 100 downy birch, 25 grey willow.
For someone of my generation, there really is only one birthday tune.
I think I'll go watch Gregory's girl again...
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| How does a toad get to have golden eyes? |
Today we were up above Slaithwaite. The ground was dry and the sun shone.
We were: Ben, myself, Geoff, Philip, Dave, Kayleigh, Laura, Sophie, Tanya, Paul, John F., John H., Jon, Tessie, Shelley, Jo, Peter, Stephen, Steve, Alastair, Jared, Matthew, Murray, Michael, Cath, Hap, Julia, Anna, plus our hosts James, Eric and Evie.
We planted 115 hawthorn, 80 dog rose, 50 blackthorn, 15 elder, 25 hazel, 25 alder, 25 small leaved lime, 10 field maple, 50 wild cherry
Not the Tina Turner song, but the music from the opening of the Nintendo 64 game, which is best played loud.
Philip, Stephen, Hap, Oscar, John H., and Dave spent the morning in Marsden felling some large larch which were planted as nurse species, and were now shading out the other trees. Larch is of limited value as a firewood, so everything was left on site as habitat material.
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| Everyone got very muddy! |
This morning most of us were at a site near bolster moor. Planting a hedge and strip of trees in a very, very wet field.
We were: myself, Laura, Kayleigh, Shelley, Jo, Kati, Ben, Geoff, Peter, Richard, Cath, Max, Jon, Tessie, Sophie, John F., Arthur, Matthew, Alastair, Jared, Paul, Murray, and Jake.
We planted 25 hawthorn, 25 blackthorn, 50 dog rose, 50 dogwood, 25 oak, 100 alder, 25 downy birch, and 25 willow.
A random act of kindness from a passing stranger. A lady gave us two packets of Bolster Moor Farm shop biscuits, as a reward for our work.
And the field owners also plied us with goodies too, more biscuits and homemade cupcakes.
We had banned snack sharing, but so we could enjoy these kindnesses I slathered my hands with hand sanitizer several times while handing the stuff out.
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| Jess, Lee and Geoff, throwing gang signs? |
Hats off to the other half of the mornings activity. A select few made it to Scammonden and deserve a big shout out: Jess, Lee, Geoff and Hap. A couple of others made it partway, Michael and Peter. Some stakes were gathered and left for later collection.
CVTS, harder than you think.
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| Them cows got attitude |
Small group of us at Hey Laithe to do some light woodland management. Wasn't so cold once you were working. We were: myself, Philip, Stephen, John H., Oscar, Julia, Matthew and Kayleigh.
On the way across a field going home we were charged by some attitudinous cows. They pulled up just before they got to us, and then pretended they were cool. But cows can kill you if they want to. We also saw some walkers with tankards.
The mighty Steely Dan.
What kind of lunatic does this on a Saturday morning? Assaulted by heavy rain and sleet from above, and mud and water from below.
Our stoic and heroic crew were: Sophie, Michael, myself, Philip, Dave, Geoff, Hap, Stephen, Laura, Kayleigh, Oscar, Steve, Darren, Jared, Alastair, Cath, Peter, Duncan, Matthew, Julia, and Remy.
We planted 150 downy birch, 25 wild cherry, 25 bird cherry, 35 rowan, 15 crab apple, 15 hazel, 65 sessile oak and 50 scots pine. Which was quite an achievement in the prevailing conditions.
Back in Marsden to finish planting at this site. Snowed again. Seems to snow every Saturday.
We were: Kayleigh, Jo, Sophie, Cath, Hap, Philip, myself, Paul, Kayleigh, Oscar, Jared, Alastair, Julia, Matthew, Peter, John H., Stephen, Jon, Tessie, Steve, and our host Yogi.
We planted a pretty epic 115 sessile oak, 100 downy birch, 60 rowan, 25 bird cherry, 50 wild cherry, and 25 aspen. And left 25 dogwood behind for later planting.
Hard work. But done.
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| Sophie and Jo enjoying the weather |
Another Saturday of two halves.
Some of us were at Marsden planting 100 Hawthorn, 100 Blackthorn, and 50 Scots Pine. We were: myself, Matthew, Kayleigh, Sophie, Joe, Tom, Oscar, Remy, Dave, Tanya, Michael, Jake, Kayleigh, Jon and Tessie, Paul, Peter, Julia, Alastair and Jared
Others were at Meltham planting 50 Sessile Oak, 100 hawthorn, 50 dog rose, 15 blackthorn, 15 crab apple, 15 hazel H They were:Philip, Stephen, Ben, Hap, John H., Darren, Cath and Geoff.
An old punk song. A cryptic clue for fun in the snow?
Back to Meltham. And on a Sunday, a decision made based on how long it would take all the ice to melt.
We planted a further 30 sessile oak, 75 pedunculate oak, 50 scots pine, 15 crab apple 15 hazel, 50 common alder, 15 goat willow and 15 grey willow.
We were: myself, Hap, Philip, Stephen, Remy, Murray, Kayleigh, Jon and Tessie, Dave, Peter, John H., Sophie, Steve, and Ben. Plus our hosts Heath, Harry and Sam.
We need to return to plant a short length of hedge and 50 remaining pedunculate oak.
No photo this week, I was busy making up mesh guards for the pines.
And there is only one song for a Sunday morning...
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| Hap and Philip arriving, in glorious sunshine. |
A trip out of the valley, to Meltham today. In the ice and snow.
We were: Geoff, Dave, Hap, Peter, Philip, Darren, Stephen, Steve, Murray, Alastair, Jared, myself, Kayleigh, John H., Ben, and Michael. Plus Heath and his two sons.
We aimed to plant 275 trees, 60 sessile oak, 50 hazel, 25 wild cherry, 25 bird cherry, 35 rowan, and 50 scots pine.
The ice and snow cause a bit of fun at going home time. With a treacherous slope down from the parking spot, some manual snow clearance and a handy tow from Heath's land rover were needed.
I was last man out, and my little car needed no assistance.
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