Dogwood

 Some light guard removal at Rochdale Road. Geoff, Dianne, Jess, Steve and Dan.

https://youtu.be/A2Clk74vDwI?si=DQO9sTnLf5VRQEcN

Heroes

1005 trees (67 bundles of 15), kindly donated by CFH. These will be the basis of 3 planting projects this Autumn. CFH got in touch with us via Matthew at the Employer Engagement team at Kirklees Council.

https://youtu.be/fCTt0VDNJaQ?si=LrvgdD_2wR2l6QJT

So it goes

Foreground previously done, back newly done.

Back to Butterley for a bit more solo work rescuing some small trees overwhelmed by bracken. Muggy, midgy, sweaty work.

https://youtu.be/UCaf8woXAeM?si=2DKRr5orv57fJTYh

Shady Lane

Shady looking bunch

Weeding and guard collecting on the far side of Scammonden, ground planted in partnership with White Rose Forest, who paid us for aftercare. We were; myself, Geoff, Dave, Philip H., Philip B., Dan and Jim.

https://youtu.be/ixncbflEqes?si=1ZV9Zxdjx-1LOgwA

 Weeding at Rochdale Road, Geoff, Philip B., Jim, Philip H.

Weeding at Hey Knowles, Geoff, Philip B., Philip H., Dan, Chayley, Matthew, Jess, Dave, Hap.

Bracken bashing at Butterley, me, Geoff, Philip B., Paul, Dan. Jim

 Bracken bashing at Willykay Clough. Me, Geoff, Dan, Paul, Jim.

Ghetto

Bracken bashing at Willy Kay Clough. We were; myself, Philip B., Geoff, Dave, Ben, Dan, and Jim.

Willie Kent (Willy K?) Chicago bass player.

Devil's haircut

 Light duties today, trimming a hedge we planted years ago, so that it doesn't overhang a road. We were; Sam, Ptol, Dave, Dan, Peter, Geoff, and myself. A small amount of tidying and guard removal also occurred. Lovely day.

https://youtu.be/aa3rBVb3v4g?si=AzG2-ExTsfSi84Zh

Hold on

Dead grass, but also unwell plants. Hold on little plants!

This week we were weeding a previously planted site above Slaithwaite. Most of the plants looked good, but a few had been damaged by some over enthusiastic use of weedkiller.

We were; myself, Philip H., Dianne, Philip B., Dave, Jim, Peter, Geoff, Sam, Ptol and Matthew.

https://youtu.be/Le-3MIBxQTw?si=9Mj8lTYY0ZRAtwVa

Fire in the hole

That's a lot of bags.

This morning we were in WillyKay Clough, Marsden Moor,  helping the National Trust clear up after the most recent moor fire.  A lot of the recently planted trees and their deer tubes got burned, so we were removing the burnt plastic

We were myself, Sarah, Matthew, Paul, Philip H., Dianne, Sophie, Alastair, Stephen, Tanya, Dan, and Cat from the National Trust.

We filled 9 builders bulk bags.

Matthew!

Where we were

https://youtu.be/9PwkU4nsJM8?si=rOzAB8fYtQx-XkzC

Crimble!

Geoff, Dave, Hap, Chayley and Steve visited Clough to collect some old tree guards that a local resident had brought to our attention.

Fantastic day

 

Carter's spears 

A twofer today.

At Cowlersley myself, Tanya, Dan, Alastair, Matthew, Chayley and Peter planted 105 trees to finish this site.

At Slaithwaite gate Philip B., Philip H., Hap, HuDianne, Jess, Ben, Dave, Geoff, Jon, Tess, and mystery guest planted a 250 hedge.

https://youtu.be/FHPjSTtKBkw?si=zbjF_lfS4tak0mSS

New gold dream

Gold!

In Marsden, putting in 585 plants in two hedges (thickets). We were; Geoff, Dave, Jim, Philip H., Philip B., Cath, Chayley, Dan, Peter, Hap, Alastair, Jon, Tess, Paul, Alfie, Philip B., myself, Matthew, and Tanya.

https://youtu.be/GWAC4UeWGd0?si=XcONZeVrljy2JfSU

The night they drove old Dixie down

Dixie and Trixie

We were back at Pymroyd again. We were; myself, Dave, Geoff, Tanya, Sophie, Alastair, Hap, Steve, Stephen, Dan, Philip B., and Philip H.

Plus 6 excellent members of the public.

505 plants got put in, but we still have another 105 to go in.

https://youtu.be/wanJQC5KAfo?si=wgsbKbONN_o_-vLe

Going up

The little Land Rover that couldn't.

Up above West Slaithwaite today, planting 105 trees, and 250 hedge plants.

We were; myself, Dan, Cath, Jess, Tanya, Geoff, Philip B. plus friend Jon, Peter, Stephen, Matthew, Paul W., Dave, Paul, Alfie, Andy, and Ptol.

We had use of a Land Rover and trailer, which was nice. But it would have been even better if it had been able to go up the field as well as down.

Nobody knows why the Land Rover couldn't get back up the field.

https://youtu.be/Gt8depJXlX8?si=57CSZ5FHlW-BNHju

Standing on the shoulders of giants (us, we are the giants)

New planting above and around our old planting at Butterley. I'd feel better about this if we had not been  stopped from doing it years ago, and are now contractors are getting paid to do it. Still, we did start the ball rolling.

https://youtu.be/kleqF3X1_l4?si=OkcgRVfAhmzSSw-M

Kite festival (Back in '74)

Back to Pymroyd, another 445 trees and shrubs planted. There were 16 of us; Dan, Matthew, myself, Geoff, Philip H., Philip B., Jim, Jon, Tess, Chayley, Sophie, Dave, Hap, Paul, Stephen, and Alastair.

We saw a red kite (bird, not stringed sort)

https://youtu.be/x5-xIfubiuY?si=Aix_vWbsrh397OPX

Don't let me down

 Back to Pymroyd and another 410 trees and shrubs planted.

We were; myself, Sophie,Tanya, Geoff, Dave, Philip B., Philip H., Hap, Peter, Dianne, Jess, Alastair, Ben, Matthew, Jon, Cath, and Chayley - and seven members of the public recruited by Kirklees.

Everyone did splendidly.

Still digging the Beatles rooftop thing.

Dig a pony (or donkey)

Enjoying the view.

This week to Pymroyd to begin tree planting on this site.

We were 21, comprising; Sam, Ptol, Jon, Tess, Paul, Alfie, Ben, Cath, myself, Geoff, Sophie, Philip B., Philip H., Peter, Alastair, Dave, Steve, Dan, Matthew, Jim and Chayley.

390 trees and shrubs got planted, in good time.

The donkeys were watching us.

https://youtu.be/uT-gDIEcrP0?si=Mvsj7kRfOolep2TO

I've got a feeling

Ali waved to us from far away, and took this photo.

Back to Meal Hill for a last (?) push. We were; myself, Philip B., Philip H., Dianne, Alastair, Dan, Jim, Jess, Geoff, Dave, Chayley, Ben, and Hap. 

500 more plants got put in. It took a lot of work though.

And just because I'm on a Beatles rooftop jag at the mo.

Helpers, appropriately dressed.

Another team session managing woodland in Linthwaite.

Led by Philip B., and including Stephen, Paul, Alfie, Hap, Dan, Davy, Chayley, and Andreas.

Stephen, anchoring winch

To Slaithwaite Gate, to plant a mixed hedgerow in a very wet and muddy field. We planted 150 hawthorn, 45 dog rose, and 100 guelder rose.

We were myself, Geoff, Tanya, Dianne, Jim, Matthew, Philip H., and Jon - joined at the end by Dave, Chayley and Andreas.

Something's gone wrong again

On Pule Hill, replacing failed trees for the National Trust.

Based on my previous visit to the site, and discussions I had with National Trust,  we were supposed to be working in a particular area, but contractors beat us to it, and we ended up having to work across hundreds of metres of hillside to try and find the few failed trees that remained. Between us we managed to replant about 360 trees. But it took a long time.

Not my favourite morning.

We were: myself, Philip B., Dave, Dave's german friend, Geoff, Jon, Tess, Paul, Alfie, Cath, Peter, Alastair, Paul, Tanya, Jim, Stephen, Dan, and Matthew.

https://youtu.be/tWbrAWmhDwY?si=XkeA9QCk7KB9pbZo

Sunny

Diseased ash removed 

Woodland management in Linthwaite. Thinning some public woodland for better tree health and growth. A hand picked team of; Philip, Stephen, Paul, Alfie, Peter, Dave, Dan, and Hap.

https://youtu.be/ZltheEJSDyI?si=jiATQT0hFosIKbEx

Rocks off

 

A select team went back to Meal Hill to fill in some gaps. 240 plants. We were; myself, Matthew, Cath, Dianne, Philip H., Ben, Sam and Ptol, Jon, Tess, and Geoff.

It was hard work getting those rocks out/off, so...

https://youtu.be/_lNP-x94-SE?si=H-lo35uM8qbTbGXU

She's gone

Back to Meal Hill, for possibly the final full session, though there are still gaps that need plugging.

We were; myself, Philip B., Tanya, Ben, Stephen, Geoff, Dave, Dan, Cath, Dianne, Philip H., Alastair, Hap, Peter, Jim, and Matthew,

Another 500 plants got done.

Come back soon!

Half way tree pressure

Dan leads the climb

In one sense this morning was less than optimal, in another it was glorious.

Ice and snow had us down to a team of 9, and it was a long slog up snowy fields to get where we needed to be, but we got 250 plants in, and the view (though very, very, bright) was stunning. All things considered, highly satisfactory.

We were; myself, Philip B., Dave, Geoff, Hap, Stephen, Paul, Alfie, and Dan.

A Rupie Edwards version

It all went down the drain

 Another 500 plants went in at Meal Hill. We were; myself, Philip B., Dave, Geoff, Cath, Stephen, Philip H., Ben, Dan, Dianne, Jess, Lee, Jim, Tanya, Paul, Alfie, Sam and Ptol.

https://youtu.be/seTPc8pJIJg?si=ispy3sDLTi6qYauD

Dave's pride and joy

Misty mountain hop

Lovely pic by Tanya

Back to Meal Hill. Despite a slightly reduced crew we managed another 500 plants easily.

We were; myself, Dave, Philip B., Jess, Cath, Ben, Tanya, Hap, Geoff, Stephen and Jon.

Weather was foggy, but dry.

https://youtu.be/y6M3YQ_EF2E?si=cR52IrFY9X9ZJs_T

Kling, Glöckchen, Klingelingeling

Philip, Stephen and Hap.

Back to Meal Hill. And another 500 plants went in on a morning of variable weather. Better than expected for a while, then hellish, then not so bad again. Hap brought extremely nice homemade bakewell tart and mince pies.

We were; myself, Sarah A., Cath, Jess, Dianne, Tanya, Hap, Dan, Ben, Stephen, Philip B., Philip H., Geoff, Jim, Tess, and Jon.

After work we retired to the Sair and were joined by John, Neil, and Peter. We ate Handmade bakery pasties and had a very nice time.

Happy holidays everyone!

The most Christmassy of (German) Christmas music

Elephant stone

Future burger licks new hedge.

Back to Meal Hill to do more hedging.

519 plants went in. We were; myself, Philip B., Philip H., Jess, Geoff, Dan, Hap, Dave, Stephen, Jim, Ben, Dianne, and Alastair.

For some of us the morning ended with the struggle to remove a henge worthy stone. Hence...

https://youtu.be/picVsVudTkQ?si=l9jhAD4TDqs0XOp3

Commanding presence.

Dig that crazy Santa Claus

Mulch mats galore.

Back to HD4 for some out of valley planting in collaboration with Kirklees

We were: myself, Philip H., Philip B., Geoff, Alastair, Dan, Stephen, Ben, Jon, Tess, Dave, plus 8 members of the public signed up by Kirklees.

We planted another 350 trees. Job done.

https://youtu.be/5HgHvnHoFXY?si=Q-fVnpatdDVJo4g4

Live wire

Philip briefs the group about the live wires.

This week were in HD4! Outside of our literal comfort zone, but working with Kirklees on this project.

We planted 45 birch, 30 hawthorn, 20 blackthorn, 45 rowan, 60 hazel, 45 oak, and 5 elder. 250 total.

We were; myself, Philip B., Ben, Stephen, Alastair, Matthew, Geoff, Dave, Jon, Tess, Sam, Ptol, Cath, Jess, Philip H., Dan, and Hap.

This is so great!

Harder than the rest

 

Philip and Jess

In a fit of unquestionable bloodymindedness we planted 481 hedge plants this morning. In truly atrocious weather. We were all wet cold and tired by the end, and there moments of mild temper frayedness. But also triumph! We are truly "harder than the rest".

We were; myself, Philip, Jess, Dianne, Peter, Ben, Geoff, Dan, Dave, Stephen and Matthew.

https://youtu.be/5Ro96tZ1Hr0?si=Fva9epe5AJmpjRG5

Girls on film

Dan and Philip in the weeds

First day of planting of the season, and it was a day of proper old school tree planting at Rochdale Road, above Slawit. 

We were: Dave, Geoff, Peter, Hap, Stephen, Alastair, Dan, Jess, Dianne, Tanya, Sam, Tol, and Matthew. I was there very briefly, but had a family gathering to attend.

45 eared willow, 105 downy birch, and 100 sessile oak were planted.

Geoff and his monstrous rig.

Geoff did some filming for a training video. So cue some nostalgia.

Girls on film (was going to use the original video, but it looked a bit dodgy to modern eyes)

Sunshine after the rain

No autographs!

Up to Scammonden for guard removal and retrieval.We were; Geoff (see above), Tanya, Jim, Dave, Cath, Dan, Jess, Dianne, Hap, Philip H. and myself. Hap brought cake! It rained, then the sun shone.

https://youtu.be/4y5TOVldgkQ?si=YBys6Cmmwiy1wSjy

For the record, Geoff, Cath, Jess, Dianne, Dave, Jim, Dan, Hap, Philip H. and Stephen went to Scammonden yesterday for guard clearing. We did quite a bit and finished off that top area including bringing some old guard piles off site, and some stake recovery.

The flowers of (b)romance

 

Dan, Jim and me.

High up above West Slaithwaite this morning, at Slacks, and Deep Gate. Straightening trees and collecting old guards again. We were; myself, Philip, Tanya, Dave (briefly), Geoff, Steve, Dan, Jim, Catherine, Tom, Hap, Matthew, and Paul.

https://youtu.be/jBaQOdsTAKo?si=nubSyEvXmilchXW9

 

Matthew!

I was unavailable this week, but some stalwart souls were at Butterley collecting old tree guards for re-use or disposal. These people included, Matthew, Geoff, Tanya, Dave, Philip H., Dianne, Jess, Paul and Dan.