Brian's barbecue

This sunday Brian had organised a walk (and refreshments) for local councillors and dignitaries, so that the Society could show its appreciation for their support, and explain what we achieve with that support. The walk took us round phases 1 and 2 of our planting alongside Marsden Golf course, and from there we could also see the planting at Hemplow Wood. Several local councillors joined us for the walk, and more folk joined us at Marsden Cricket club afterwards for drinks and bacon sandwiches. Brian had also organised a display of photographs showing our work on the many sites around Marsden.

It was also the first time that Philip and I had been in the Cricket Club pavillion, and we were impressed.

Top photo is of the walk, bottom photo is of the view from the Cricket Club terrace.

I heart my shirt

I had these shirts made up. Just to see. And they came out pretty good. Want one?

Reservoir Logs

The official first day of our new planting season is 1st November. Today was another summer maintenance day. The circular walk around Butterly Reservoir had become blocked by fallen trees in the pine plantation. These were large trees and a chainsaw was necessary to clear them. Philip and Guy had done a proper risk assessment. We marked off the path with hazard tape. There was much debate about a strategy but once we had agreed on one, Guy marked the cuts on the trees with spray, and Philip set about them with the chainsaw. I took photos, and Dan lopped off branches with a pruning saw, and cleared debris. After that, and after a coffee break, we walked over to a nearby farm to meet the new owners and discuss planting in their fields.

Summer work

I havne't posted recently because our planting season is Autumn through to Easter. In the summer months we meet occasionally to visit new sites, or do a spot of maintenance on existing ones. We look forward to the occasional balmy summer evening of a bit of light work and then a pint. More usually it pours with rain and then we go home to get dry and warm. Summer?! Anyway, this evening Philip and I visited White Hull Farm to inspect some trees planted at the beginning of last season, and spoke to a couple of householders nearby who are thinking of getting us to plant on their land. The first photograph is of a small Rowan tree, struggling bravely against the tall grass.



The second photo is of Philip pointing over towards Green Owlers, a site planted about 8 years ago. Not many of the trees on that site have thrived, a result of some grazing by sheep, and maybe not good soil. As you can probably guess from the glowering clouds overhead, it tipped it down shortly after this.