There's snow business, like show business.

Cath, she's laughing, honest.

Today, a few hardy souls (myself, Philip, Geoff, Dave and Cath) ventured up to Pasture Wood and planted just over 100 trees. As you can see, it was a tad snowy, but we were moving around so we didn't get cold. While were up there a man from the Huddersfield Examiner came to visit us, interviewed Philip, took some photos. Famous at last. Then back to the Sair, where we finished off what was left of this week's cake, vegan apple flapjack (vegan apples?), and discussed Geoff's Tree Society film.

Philip, Dave, me and Cath, trying to get ice off tools.

Another tale of two woods

Jess at Pasture Wood

Today we were again at Pasture Wood, Marsden, and Parkwood, Golcar. Similar crews to last week. Myself, Philip, Dave, Chris, Geoff, Ben, Cath, Remy, Jess, Stephen and Peter at Pasture Wood, where we planted another 200 Scots Pine. And Brian, Trevor, Peter and Dianne at Parkwood, where with the help of the landowner and friends they planted 90 Willow and 90 Alder. Cake was the ever popular coconut and cherry "failure cake" (as my mother calls it). A good morning, that again saw the sun come out later on, despite the dire weather warnings. Julia joined us in the Sair, having worked at the Nursery all morning. Both pictures courtesy of Geoff.

The assembled throng in the Sair afterwards

Pasture Wood, Marsden, week 1

Geoff is undoubtedly a much, much, better photographer than me.

Today we returned to Pasture Wood, which is getting 1000 Scots Pine added to it. This site was planted 9 years ago, part funded by the Forestry Commission, and they didn't deem Scots Pine an acceptable tree for the site back then. Since that time, they have revised their guidelines, and it is now ok to plant Scots Pine on the site. The Scots Pine should thrive here, and will act as a nurse species for the existing slow growing trees on site, the Oak and Holly particularly. The trees and materials were delivered yesterday and myself, Guy, Mandy and Julian helped unload and carry all the gear across a field to the planting site. Today we were myself, Geoff, Philip, Dave, Remy, Hap, Chris, Mandy, Guy, Stephen, Peter and Ben. It is a tough, steep site, and we planted around 200 trees. Very windy up there, but the sun came out at the end. Cake was date and walnut. Very nice.

Those who also served: Brian, Peter, Trevor, Dianne and Jess went to Parkwood Golcar, with 75 trees, Common Alder and White Willow. A much flatter site, though very wet underfoot.

Flung far and wide

Stephen and Julia on their way up to Green Hill Clough

This Saturday there were quite a few of us, but we were flung far and wide doing diverse tasks. Myself, Dave and Ben stayed at the nursery and began work on the drying shed extension. Geoff, Stephen and Julia went back to Green Hill Clough to finish planting 35 Oaks (and reported back that there are 43 stakes and 13 guards left on site). Philip, Neil, Cath and Sarah went to High Brow Meltham and planted 60 trees. Brian, Peter, Trevor, Jess and Dianne were at Marsden Golf course pruning trees. Remy and Duncan were sent off to the Golf Course to join up with Brian and crew, but were not heard of again, so we hope they were ok. They were carrying one of the four boxes of chocolate brownies, so may have just gone home and eaten cake.