YOLO

 

After this years serious problems with supply of trees and approvals to plant we are staggering towards the end of the season and using the trees we have to improve a previously planted eWGS site at Scammonden.

We were: Cath, Gillie and Ruth, Jess and Lee, Jon and Tessie, Ben, Dave, Geoff, Hap, Richard, Philip, and myself.

We planted 100 sessile oak, 25 aspen, 15 downy birch, 15 hazel 15 hawthorn, and 15 rowan.

Weather was terrible. But we got it done.

There's something relevant in this song, obliquely.

https://youtu.be/z5Otla5157c

The wind

Tanya's splendidly kinetic picture of grass and heather blowing

 Storm Malik made this morning very invigorating. Up on Wholestone moor was just the place to appreciate it. We were; Geoff, myself, Kai, Jess, Lee, Dave, Tanya, Richard, Peter, Cath and Julia. Cake was peanut butter vegan cookies. Half a dozen bags of old tree guards were removed, and then the fun bit was carrying them down the hill in the literally howling gale.

Link below is not a music vid, but a clip from the 1928 silent film, the wind, starring Lillian Gish. About a woman driven mad by... the wind. Did I mention the wind?

https://youtu.be/dmjJ9uSchcM

All revved up with no place to go

Michael and Richard. Looked kind of dark up at Wholestone.

This week we were back in Marsden finishing off some woodland management. Having removed some large larch shading out other smaller trees we moved on to thinning out the smaller trees behind. End result being a more natural mix of sizes and varieties of tree, and better accessibility to the woodland for locals. As per agreement with Kirklees ,broken down fencing and wire were also removed and taken off site. We  were: Matthew, Kayleigh, Dave, Paul,  myself, Kai, Jess and Lee.

Meanwhile at Wholestone Moor were Geoff, Richard, Hap, Steve, Michael and Shelley, collecting old tree guards and reusable stakes.

Of course, we'd rather be planting trees, but we are just....

https://youtu.be/eWVmRvq50kQ

Me and Kai. Looks brighter in Marsden

Tall trees

Hazard tape, hi-vis, and hard hats

In the absence of any planting work, we did some woodland management and tree guard reclamation today.

Half of us were in Marsden. Cutting down some nurse species larch to let more light get to the trees behind them. Hopefully leading to a more diverse and native bit of woodland. We were: Stephen and Philip on chainsaws, plus Dave, Kayleigh, Matthew, myself, Tanya, and Paul. Quite hard work as a couple of the very tall larch got hung up while falling. Great care was taken to signpost the work and prevent members of the public wandering along the footpath through the site. Several small brash piles created, some 2m length logs left in situ, and the footpath left entirely clear of debris.

Meanwhile at Wholestone Moor Geoff, Jess, Lee, Steve and Michael collected 3 bags of waste guards, and one bag of reclaims.

Stephen, Kayleigh and Dave

https://youtu.be/1FoPfNku9sY

This is the end

Last day of planting at Meltham (or of this Season?). 

We planted 100 Oak, 45 Hazel, 45 Downy Birch and 25 Aspen.

We were: Cath, Geoff, Dave, Matthew, Tanya, Hap, Peter, Jess, Ben, Philip and myself.

https://youtu.be/VScSEXRwUqQ

O sole mio

Four intrepid "soles" ventured out on New Years day to remove old tree guards at Wholestone moor. Geoff, Dave, Steve G. and Tanya. 

Not sure about Tanya's choice of song, maybe they stopped for ice cream on the way home? Or is it a reference to the bottoms of Geoff's boots?

   

https://youtu.be/1X27O50Xq4U

Christmas time

Geoff, in a before-ish picture

Back to Meltham, and into the briar patch. A fraction of an large area of brambles was cleared, and planted with 60 Hazel, 25 Aspen, 75 Downy birch, and 5 Oak. It was dry, but a bit foggy.

Ann's Mince pies were consumed, but no alcohol.

We were: myself, Geoff, Dave, John, Jon and Tess, Jess, Hap, Peter, Michael, Philip, Tanya, Cath, Stephen, Steve, Matthew, Murray, plus a friend of Tess and her family including Matt.

Cath and Matt, in an after-ish photo

https://youtu.be/G0D_pdOCe9o

Chicken in the corn

                           
Back to Meltham, in considerably better weather. We still got very muddy though.

We were: myself, Dave, Philip, Tanya, Jess, Lee, Steve, Stephen, Harry, Peter, Peter 2, Hap, Cath, Ben, and John.

We planted 125 Oak, 90 Downy Birch, 25 Aspen and 30 Hazel.

https://youtu.be/E8H-67ILaqc

Filthy and fried

First day of planting of the season, and the weather could not have been much worse. Wind and cold rain. We all ended up pretty mucky, though the rain did wash some of the mud off toward the end. Silver linings eh?

We were: myself, John H., Jon and Tess, Tanya, Shelley, Julia, Hap, Stephen, Ben, Murray, Matthew, Lee, Harry, Philip, Geoff, Dave, Peter, and Michael.

We planted 30 hazel, 150 sessile oak, 90 downy birch and 25 aspen.

Drive by truckers

A cautionary song

So after a challenging week dealing with suppliers and haulage companies we have had our trees and materials delivered. Not the hedging. But the trees.

5 deliveries on 5 different days from 4 different suppliers, and 4 different haulage companies. I spent quite a lot of time at the nursery making phone calls to various suppliers, transport hubs, and delivery drivers.

Thanks to all the volunteers that gave up their time to help: myself, Alastair, Stephen, Richard, Tanya, Sophie, Dave, Philip, Sarah, Geoff, Adrian, Hap, Bob, plus Simon, Mick, Steve and couple of others I don't know the names of from River Holme Connections.

Somehow, this pop/folk song about the plight of a Victorian mother seems appropriate.

https://youtu.be/9fTUR4suld8

Willin'

With the aid of willin' helpers and a willin' delivery driver we received a huge amount of tree planting materials today. Only 5 more deliveries to go?

CVTS folk were myself, Dave, Hap, Tanya, Adrian and Bob.

Plus Simon and 4 other folk from River Holme Connections.

Country rock classic about truck drivin'

https://youtu.be/zcrEWRLk3CE

Pleasant and delightful

 

Hap, Baljit and Dave

Just four stalwarts this week collecting more stakes and tubes (oh, and Philip who carried on clearing a footpath at the Western end of the site). The four were Geoff, Hap, Baljit, and Dave.

Weather was chilly but sunny and all round a delightful morning.

https://youtu.be/e0GdTwzPOJg

In these shoes?

Matthew rocking his wellies and shorts trademark look.

Back to Wholestone for more guard removal. It didn't rain!

We were: myself, Matthew, Adrian, Shelley, Geoff, Cath, Tanya, Hap, Jess, Lee, Philip and Dave.

https://youtu.be/oW0GK2bVqI0

What did your last servant die of?

 

Lots of tubes, and Cath, Geoff, Julia and me.

Up at Wholestone Moor working hard retrieving old plastic tree guards for re-use and disposal. We were; myself, Julia, Richard, Dave, Ben, Cath, Tanya, Hap, and Geoff.

Bit wet and windy, but it always is up there. 

https://youtu.be/tOth_jv7EfA

Losing my edge

Who's that funny little fella? Me, Steve, Geoff and Hap's shoulder

Up to Wholestone Moor for more plastic removal/retrieval. We were: myself, Geoff, Hap, Peter, Cath, Dave, Michael and Steve.

I think both Steve and I lost knives this morning, nothing valuable. but annoying. So the song title is particularly aposite, as well as being a belter. 

And apparently this blog has been lost to google, so am investigating that.

https://youtu.be/6xG4oFny2Pk

What's up

Matthew and Murray, and Geoff

Whats up? We were up. Climbing a near vertical slope to get to the top of Pasture Wood, Marsden. And then removing old plastic tree guards. A couple of bags of re-usable ones, some wooden stakes, and some bags of trash for the tip.

We were: myself, Dave, Baljit, Hap, Richard, Ben, Murray, Matthew, Tanya, Kayleigh, and Geoff.

https://youtu.be/6NXnxTNIWkc

Rollin' stone

 

Paul carries that weight, and Tanya and Geoff.

Up at Scout Top, Marsden for a spot of guard removal.

We were: myself, Geoff, Murray, Dave, Paul, Tanya, Shelley, Kayleigh and Dave.

On the way down there was a moment of mild peril, when a moderately sized stone got knocked and rolled down the hill towards Murray, who fended it off with a bag of guards.

https://youtu.be/4T2hygHu8CI

Better things

 

This morning Geoff and crew were at Scammonden SC3 removing more guards. They were; Geoff, Ben, Dave, Steve G., Jess, Lee, and Joanna and small dog.

Geoff has provided nice before and after photos for today's session.

Worse

Better

https://youtu.be/qs6G9tisVdU

Tear the whole thing down

Richard and Philip strategise the destruction.

This morning a handful of us were at a previous planting site, Parkwood, to cut back willow that were overwhelming some blackthorn and shading out ground that could be used for allotment plots. We were: Philip and Stephen on chainsaws, myself, Dave, Kayleigh, and owner Richard. Risk assessment done and signed, PPE worn.

Meanwhile Geoff and Michael were at Scammonden collecting more old tree guards, and a mystery skull (small deer?)

https://youtu.be/ViKyUXmVdt8

What can a song do to you?

Last full team go at Netherwood. We were: myself, Sophie, Steve, Geoff, Jess, Lee, Murray, Dave, Paul, Tanya, Peter and Philip.

A large number of bags were filled, and a quick survey of the site was done to see whether there was a need for thinning.

More discussion of the CVTS song, and singing, at breaktime.

https://youtu.be/OWjh1_MsfHo

Cats van bags

Once more up at Netherwood. We were: myself, Geoff, Matthew, Paul, Peter, Tanya, Kayleigh, Dave, Shell, Stephen, and Jess. Hacking our way through the brambles and removing old plastic tree guards.

https://youtu.be/ZeTa8BSiih0

Safety dance

 Really only one song title suitable for this week.

A new knife safety regime began today. We are doing more work with knives, cutting and removing plastic tree guards for re-use. However this has seemed to result in two quite bad accidents with those knives this year, trips to casualty in both cases.

So we trialled two types of new knife today. Safety parcel cutters, with a fixed but entirely enclosed blade, picture below, and a much more expensive and more complex knife with an auto self retract blade.

Other brands are available, but these were big and sturdy.

The general conclusion today was that the parcel cutters were adequate, and the safest - with the auto self retract a bit more versatile. We will continue to test both, for safety, longevity and value.

I also gave people level 3 cut protection gloves, which were probably overkill for using the parcel cutters, but should be used with other bladed tools we have, such as saws, billhooks, sickles etc.

We were at Netherwood, and we were; myself, Geoff, Steve, Sarah, Dave, Michael and Paul.

https://youtu.be/0QDKLglEP5Y

Falling and laughing

Steve points and laughs at a fallen tree. He's a fun gi.

Today Geoff led the charge at Scammonden SC6 for yet more guard removal. He was joined by Steve, Cath, Kayleigh, Jess, Shelley and Dave.

Philip and I were doing a bit of light woodland management at Tanya's. More trees falling, and more laughing.

Our tree order goes in on Monday morning. 5910 new trees and shrubs for the valley.

https://youtu.be/Cdp6iBgDUpM

Program for light

 

Jess , Sophie and Michael with slashers.

This week was the final week or our program for light for the Wessenden trees. Knocking back the shady bracken. We were: myself, Philip, Dave, Hap, Stephen, Kayleigh, Jess, Sophie, Michael, Paul and Julia.

https://youtu.be/UoNqxpHay3U

Don't bring me down

A day bracken bashing at Butterley. This time around the end of the lagoon, where a lot of young trees were getting, or had got pulled down by the bracken. We were: myself, Paul, Stephen and Adrian. Not enough people for the work, and there is still more to do at the lagoon, and further up the track at the lodge.

Also, Dave, Kayleigh, Hap, Ben S., Graham and Geoff were at Scammonden removing tree guards from mature trees.

https://youtu.be/-rD-0tlGGPo

The fog

 

Michael in the mist

Back to Wessenden to discourage more bracken from shading out the small trees. Plus some tube and stake removal. The morning began with torrential rain, but it did back off to light rain and fog by lunchtime!

We were: Philip, Geoff, Kayleigh, Michael, Matthew, Peter, myself, Paul, and Adrian. 

Animal antics. We saw two fawns and a doe, a jackdaw sitting on a cows head, and a sheep that shook the rain off itself like dogs do.

https://youtu.be/zS1ZlMJFWi4

Don't wanna

A tiny oak is grateful for the light.

En masse up to Wessenden this week, for bracken bashing. Its nothing personal, but when you have gone to the bother of planting trees, its annoying to have bracken shade them out and kill them in their first couple of years. 

We were: Paul, Geoff, Dave, Philip, Peter, Kayleigh, Adrian, Murray, and myself. And it poured with rain most of the morning, and was humid, so there was no escaping getting soaked. 

While it might have been a rainy day, our turnout in Summer is always less than Winter. People like to plant trees, but a good few of those people don't wanna do the work that makes sure they grow. Something we need to factor in to how many trees we can plant and care for each year.

https://youtu.be/crZvtA9I4lY

The cutter

 The Scammonden contingent were Geoff, Dave, Hap, Michael, Steve G. and Peter. They continued clearning SC5 and SC6, Dave took re-useable materials back the nursery, and waste to the tip.

Over above Slaithwaite myself, Philip, Kayleigh, Matthew, Tanya, and Adrian spent the morning weeding the hedging planted at the sides of the fields at Hey 2. There were a lot of nettles, and we got a lot stung. And once again I managed to cut myself, this time with a sickle. Nothing major, but its getting a habit. On the plus side there were chickens.

https://youtu.be/nMplIrSlg8E

Devil's haircut

Two groups again. Philip, myself and Tanya were at Waller Clough, giving the grass a haircut - so that the hedge we planted isn't overwhelmed. Dave had lent me his sickle, and I was so impressed I have bought one for my future use.

Dave, Geoff, Ben, Peter, Hap, Michael and Max were at Scammonden removing more guards from established planting.

https://youtu.be/aa3rBVb3v4g

Nature boy

 

Beautiful pic of Steve communing with nature, by Jess

Geoff, Ben, Jess, Dave, Steve, Kayleigh and Michael were at Scammonden today, removing more plastic tree guards. It looks like it was lovely.

Steve was apparently listening to a (not the) cricket.

Stop me if I've used this one before...

Stoatally wired

Tanya and Steve

A  beautiful morning at Green Hill Clough, with everyone in one place, and all very convivial. Removing plastic tree guards from a site planting around 2003 (mostly).

We were: Geoff, myself, Dave, Paul, Kayleigh, Tanya, Steve G., Michael, and Matthew.

Ann had made us Bakewell tart.

There was some talk of stoats dancing. Having watched some videos I'd say that its more larking about than dancing, but I'd say that of Michael Clark too. 

Another fall reference...

Come back

 Dave and I spent a sad morning collecting burnt plastic tree guards from above Butterley.

Close up, those trees don't look too good. No buds or leaves, but some green still visible if you scratch bark, so maybe they'll come back.

https://youtu.be/ph57IaYdEsY

Wide open spaces

Wide open spaces? Where dem trees?

Today Geoff and company carried on removing guards from SC5 (digital map ref) at Scammonden. Making steady progress on this big sprawling site. Dave brought the trailer to take away old guards so far removed, and some 36 re-useable long stakes too.

They were: Geoff, Dave, Hap, Jess, Michael, Alastair and Jared. And Richard made a passing visit with his two spaniels.

https://youtu.be/dom7VlltBUc

Bring it on home

Dave and Paul at Marsden

Another divided day. 

Myself, Dave, Paul, Matthew, Alastair, Philip, and Kayleigh were in Marsden reclaiming about 300 short stakes and guards for re-use in the Autumn.

Geoff, Jess, Tanya, Steve G and Bob were at Scammonden.

Jess and Bob at Scammonden

https://youtu.be/kZnHavrD4vQ

Bambi

Jess in the bag

More double trouble with two crews removing old plastic tree guards at different places.

In Marsden we were myself, Sarah P., Jess, Kayleigh, Tanya, Murray, Max, Matthew, Michael, Dave, and owner Neil.

At Scammonden were Geoff, Sophie, Steve G., Steve G2., Peter and Cath

And at Marsden Neil had us scouring the field for intruder deers and foals. Click here for tune.

There were a lot of failures at the Eastern end of the Marsden site, where we had planted a large number of ash, just before ash die back  hit. The rest of the site is doing really really well.

All star

A stupidly rainy morning, but small and intrepid bands of all star volunteers did sterling work.

Myself, Kayleigh, Matthew, Michael, and landowners Neil and Sarah cleared 4 big bags of old guards from their small field in Marsden.

A similarly starry line up at Scammonden comprised Geoff, Peter, Cath, Sophie, Steve G, Steve G2, Alastair and Jared.

90's brat pop!

I need some fine wine

Scammonden group

This Saturday AM Geoff was back removing plastic at Scammonden, with Tanya, Richard, Alastair, Jared, Lee, Sophie and Steve G2 (two Steves is one thing, we now have two Steve Gs).

We were finishing removing the plastic from Jolly's field in Marsden, myself, Dave, Matthew, Murray, and for a while, Kayleigh. Got 32 deer stakes, 50 short guards, and 25 deer guards for re-use.

Song choice for our hangover sufferer.

I'm a cuckoo

 

Its a very low key Cuckoo festival day in Marsden today.

Some of us were in Marsden reclaiming 150+ long tree tubes and 75+ stakes from a planting done about 8 years ago. Plus one bag of trash guards that were either too small or too damaged to re-use. We were: myself, Paul, Matthew, Sarah, Kayleigh, Murray, and Julia.

Geoff led a group at Scammonden, comprising himself, Jess, Lee, Tanya and Shelley. Their bird of the day was the willow warbler, nice pic by Jess.

Belle and Sebastian!

Do it clean

A trip back to Hey Laithe, to clear more brambles from trees, and collect more old tree guards. Site is looking very tidy now, but still a bit more work to do.  This site was planted 20 years ago, and where once was a unused field, is now a nice bit of upland oak birch woodland. Plenty of walkers passed by us as we worked, no doubt enjoying the ambience we have created.

We were: myself, Philip, Kayleigh, Paul, and Julia.

Plus Geoff, Richard, Dave, Cath, Jess and Lee were at Scammonden collecting and bagging up more guards.

https://youtu.be/wjbTCI8o0X4

Bombers

 Up to Wessenden Lodge this morning to re-guard a bunch of trees that were collateral damage during the great rhododendron removal campaign. Myself Dave and Stephen wondered around on the stricken hillside tending to the survivors.

Rescue me

Sarah and Michael in the snow

This morning we were up Wessenden, retrieving and tidying tree guards on previous plantings.

Weather was supposed to be sunny spells in the morning turning to wintery showers in the afternoon. It was the opposite. Steady snow all morning, and now you need factor 50 in the back yard!!!

Still the young and the foolish carried on. We were: myself, Philip, Paul, Laura, Shaun, Kayleigh, Sarah, Murray, and Peter.

On the way back down we encountered a near full set of emergency services who had turned out for a crashed mountain biker. Helicopter, ambulance and a dozen mountain rescuers. He'd only been riding down the (drive-able) Wessenden track. Still, hope he is ok.

Meanwhile, Geoff, Steve, Jess, Lee, Tanya and Richard were at Scammonden removing guards. Though it was apparently a bit more sheltered there.

Fontella Bass!

Nice bass line Bass.

Trash

Today, Hap, Geoff and Dave went down the track at Scammonden and retrieved 100 deer stakes for re-use. They also did a litter pick along the way, and spoke to a Yorkshire Water Ranger. Had a discussion with her about the piles of tree guards, and how we are talking to Yorkshire Water about their disposal.

https://youtu.be/aEJkJBqNwAo

Horses

No oaks here.

Geoff, Tanya and Cath went back to Spring St to plant the last 40 rowan, crab apple and oak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5FrS5aQc50 (?)

And Tanya and I agree this deserves a look too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rki7iko_7lk