Blakeley Reservoir Bracken Bashing

Geoff, Ben, Stephen, Dave and Hap.

This morning we walked up the Wessenden Valley for a bracken bashing session beside Blakeley Reservoir. We were: myself, Geoff, Ben, Stephen, John, Dave, Hap and Steve. A nice breeze kept the midges off, so all we had to worry about was the hard work involved on the steep slope. Clearing the bracken from around the newly planted trees will allow them to receive light and more nutrients. A couple more weeks of bracken growth and these 1.2 metre tree guards would have been completely engulfed, and the trees inside left in the dark for the whole Summer.

I was asked to include some of the break time conversation topics in the blog, which were, for the record, Mark E. Smith, incontinence, and the fact that Mallard ducks are inconsiderate lovers.

Before

After

In the distance, on the right hand hillside beyond the reservoir, you can see several areas planted by the CVTS in past years.

Old guard remove guards

Transfixed by the view.

It sounds like a Guardian cryptic crossword clue, but describes what happened. Trevor, Brian, Duncan and a fellow that I don't recognise from the photo were up at Scout Top, Marsden, removing stakes and guards from trees that no longer needed them. Looks like it was a very pleasant morning.

The view they were transfixed by.

Butterley Bracken Bashing

First day of our assault on the Wessenden Valley's bracken infestation. We were: Philip, Guy, Mandy, Mandy's two sons and their dad, Dave, Peter T, Geoff, Jess, Ben and John. Cake was Bakewell tart. As usual, the debate raged about the best way to discourage bracken from growing back - breaking VS cutting basically.

First day of bracken bashing

Gallant little little oaks surrounded ominously by demon bracken

This morning we were over Meltham way. Knocking back the bracken for a load of oak and rowan planted a couple of years ago. This should be the last Summer that we have to do this, as most of the trees are out of the tops of the guards. We were: myself, Duncan and Harvey the dog, Ben, Dave, John, Geoff and Philip. Cake was Eccles cakes, and v.nice they were too.