Up at Wilberlee, planting mixed hedge row for a local farmer. 500 plants went in, mostly hawthorn with elements of hazel, dog rose, guelder and field maple. We were; myself, Geoff, Tanya, Jim, Philip, Dave, Andrew, Dan, Hap, Cath, Ben, Jess, Jon, Tess Asad, and Stephen.
https://youtu.be/5GUV9dUpa-k?si=g-Iqj8bf-V_D-UaP
More work with Kirklees Council on Castle Hill. Not sure of details but Geoff, Dave, Philip, Stephen, and Jess were there at least.
266 trees planted by Geoff, Philip Dan, Stephen, Hap, Dave, Dianne, Matthew, Jim, Tanya, myself, Peter. Cold but sunny.
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| Myself and Matthew |
Two groups this morning. At Blackmoorfoot, Geoff led myself Tanya, Ben, Jim, Stephen, and Dianne. Planting 125 trees along two edges of a field. Philip led Dan, Dave and Matthew adding 60 plants to a hedge in need of help at Hey Knowles, and then joined us to finish off at Blackmoorfoot.
An eventful morning, with a fox, chickens, soup, biscuits, grubs, and some break-dancing horses.
We were Philip, Stephen, Jess, Tanya, myself, Dave, Matthew, and Dan.
A trip to Pule Hill to replace some failed trees for National Trust.
We were; myself, Geoff, Dave, Philip, Stephen, Dan, Jon, Tess, Tanya, Ben, Jim, Peter, and Matthew.
I think we replaced over 200 trees.
Lovely weather, and that was nice because we were going for our Christmas drink after at the Sair, and it was good to be relatively clean and dry for that. Good beer, good company, and pasties from the Handmade Bakery in Slaithwaite.
All the lovely photos by Tanya, as usual.
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| A fungus found by Stephen |
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| Stephen on the hunt for trees to replace, and fungi. |
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| Dreek! |
Above Marsden again, planting another 150 horse friendly trees and shrubs.
We were myself, Dave (pictured), Cath, Tanya, Geoff, Jim, Dan, Adam, Dianne, Stephen, Hap, Matthew, Chayley, Jess, Paul, Philip, and Ben.
Hap and Cath brought chocolate cake and mince pies respectively. Both excellent.
Dave's new foul weather smock was admired.
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We were; Philip, Tanya, Dan, Geoff, Dave, Dianne, Cath, Adam, Peter, Ben, and Stephen.
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| Jess looking simultaneously confused yet dynamic |
Interesting morning, for me and Ptol in particular. He and I separately tried to convince the others of the health benefits of cold water plunges - by falling waist deep into a ditch of muddy freezing water. We both went home to get dry and warm. I'm very grateful to Adam for pulling me out.
Anyway, another 200+ shrubs and trees were planted by; myself, Philip, Dianne, Adam, Dan, Peter, Stephen, Steve, Dave, Geoff, Sam and Ptol, Ali, Tanya, Jim, and Jess.
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| A murky morning. |
Up to the very head of the valley to plant a couple of hundred trees and shrubs. First day of planting of the season and it was "classic" weather. Cold, wet and windy. The wet and the digging made for muddy muddy people.
We were; myself, Geoff, Dave, Philip, Matthew, Cath, Dianne, Adam, Jess, Lee, Tanya, Dan, Hap, Stephen, Steve, Ben, and Sophie.
Hap brought cake. And we were able to enjoy it indoors for a change.
And at tea break time I was presented with a thank you card and gifts for being secretary for 18 years. Lovely!
https://youtu.be/-T9vmaTI2LE?si=ewufh9vWcaWXklg0
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| Thank you for card and gifts! |
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| My trousers were yellow once. |
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| Lovely larch, just too many |
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| Everyone looking lovely in hi vis |
More woodland management. This time there were 6 of us in the woods themselves. Myself, Dave, Stephen, Jon, Peter and Philip. Lots of carrying - and more good wood on site that we didn't have the time or energy to move. Be some sore backs on Sunday.
Back at the nursery receiving all the bounty were Geoff, Cath, Hap, Ben, Dianne, Adam, Jess, and Chayley. And they had flapjack. And deckchairs.
Philip, Stephen, Dan, Dave, myself, and Peter were in Marsden - thinning out some trees planted 20+ years ago. Carefully selecting the nurse species, and the weaker of the main species - allow light and shade, and strong growth of the remaining trees. Some significant squirrel damage was noted to some trees.
Mick was kindly using his large trailer to take the felled material back to the Nursery....
...where, Jess, Dianne, Adam, Ben, Geoff, and Hap were merrily piling it all up, and cutting some of it into logs, or loglets.
An hours solo bracken bashing, then beachcombing on the sand at Butterley. Found a fragment of slipware (18th century plate?) Along with the usual broken willow pattern stuff. And a few beer cans.
