Duncan's delight

Duncan's car full of deer stakes and guards.

Duncan (and presumably Harvey the dog) were hard at work yesterday retrieving valuable deer stakes and guards from Parkwood. Excellent work! We promise we will take up the baton and start Summer work soon.

Philip and I spent the morning visiting two landowners, and hope that will result in two mornings of planting in the coming Season. 400 trees apiece would be about right. One is a bridleway near old Ground, which could do with tree lining, the other is a field below Pasture Wood in Marsden.

Dave was also out and about, but I can't remember where he said he was.

And lastly, another cartoon...

Cartoon!

This comic strip (and four others) were created by Dave Beeston in 2002. The origin of "mattock rouge" is that particular volunteers develop affections for digging with particular mattocks, which are then personalised with a dab of paint or other adornment. We have had mattock rouge, mattock bleu and mattock orange. Plus others which are identified by minor differences imperceptible to the uninitiated. Somehow the rough charms of mattock rouge got thoroughly imaginated into a fully fledged super-hero. Dave as very carefully (and only slightly) changed the names of all individuals and places featured in the comics.

The last, last, day of the planting season.

We thought it was all over, it is now. We made one last foray, up to Pasture Wood above Marsden to plant 200 Sessile Oak. We were: myself, Geoff, Cath, Steve, Dave, Stephen, Peter W., Guy, Mandy, Duncan and Harvey the dog, and Ian Butterfield from Forest of Bradford. At break we finished off the last of the 50th Anniversary fruit cake.

We will now have  few weeks rest, before announcing our schedule of Summer work days.

Mandy

New merchandise, patches. £2 each.

Our 50th Anniversary event.

Founder Dr Derek Phillips speaking

Just a few words to say that on Saturday 5th April at Broad Oak Bowling Club we had our 50th Anniversary event. It was very well attended, with over 100 guests. Geoff premiered his film "Tree People" and there were speeches from Philip, David Ridgway, and found Dr. Derek Phillips. Guest included Sir John Harman and Jason McCartney MP. A great time was had by all.