Proper frosty bright and sunny today. Good weather for a morning out, and plenty of folk turned out. We were: myself, Philip, Duncan, Stephen, Peter, Neil, Damian, Rowan, Cath, Pierre-Alexandre, Claudine, Edouard, Maxime, Brian, John, Trevor, Peter, Diane and Ben. Cake was a delicious chocolate sponge. We planted 90 Oak, 135 Ash and 45 Rowan. We left 30 Bird Cherry healed in on site, with approx 40 stakes next to them . There are approx 45 trees left healed in at the bottom of Baker Lane.Sundry stakes and guards scattered around the site. Will upload photos later.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Granville Shaw this week. Granville had been a dedicated member of the Society for many years and he is remembered fondly. We took a moment mid morning to think of him, and a (non-alcoholic) toast.

New faces at Scammonden

Rowan, Cath, Ann and Damian, hard at work.

Today we planted another 270 trees at Scammonden, 85 Rowan, 90 Oak and 95 Birch. We were: myself, Ann, Cath, Philip, Dave, Ben, Brian, Peter, Trevor - plus two new faces, Damian, and Rowan. Guy and Mandy were also there, but working on a different bit of the site. Cake was home made scones with home made strawberry jam. It didn't rain, though it was a bit misty at times. Afterwards, to the Sair, where they have a very nice Porter on at the moment.

Ann in her finest army surplus gear, and some trees.

Happy new year! - from Burnt Plats

Hard to tell in the gloom, but I think that is me, Andrew, Philip, Ann and Brian.

This was the second week at Burnt Plats, the Senior Section came here while we were at Butterley two weeks ago. Then they planted around 100 Hawthorn. Today we added another 120 or so trees, most Blackthorn, some Hawthorn. It was a grey and wet morning, Ben's atmospheric photo actually makes it look nicer than it felt. We were, myself, Ann, Ben, Diane, Brian, Peter, Trevor, Philip, Andrew and Neil. Cake was Apricot sponge. Our thanks to Terry, our hostess, who invited us to this field, provided the trees, and made a generous donation.

Happy Holidays from the Colne Valley Tree Society

Assembled motley crew, scoffing sausage rolls and whisky. Some previous planting in foreground.

It may have been Christmas eve, but it was still a Saturday morning, so out we went into the wind and rain. It did clear up though and we had a lovely morning planting 300+ trees at Neil and Sarah's field in Marsden. We were: myself, Ann, Philip, Ali, Andrew, Ben, Geoff, Dave, Neil, Julia and Stephen, plus our hosts Neil and Sarah, plus a very special guest French Canadian contingent, Eduard and Maxime plus their mum and Dad. We had Whisky, veggie sausage rolls and flapjack at break time. And then some beer in the Riverhead afterwards. And all made it home in time to fulfil our other Christmas eve responsibilities. Result.

See, it did brighten up a bit. Marsden in background.