Wilberlee, Meltham, Mardsen, and remembering Wilf Proctor

A packed programme, as Ronnie Barker used to say, three different planting sessions and a memorial planting.

Damian and Ben in foreground, Wilberlee School, Merrydale in background.

Myself, Cath, Geoff, Damian, Rowan, Ben, Neil and Duncan went to Wilberlee Junior School to help them put in 600 hedging plants around their Field of Dreams. Lots of teachers, parents and children also turned out.

Philip and Stephen went to Meltham with Brian, Peter, Trevor and Dianne, to finish off the 60 trees left at High Brow farm.

Stephen digging

Then Philip and Stephen went to the field opposite the old Rawson Centre on the A62 above Marsden, and put in 45 Hawthorn and 15 Blackthorn.

Friends and family pay tribute to Wilf Proctor, Philip holding the award.

Last, but by no means least, we all congregated to plant a memorial tree for Wilf Proctor. His widow and relatives attended. Mrs Proctor was presented with the Jeff Hutchinson award. Brian's wife Margaret provided tea coffee and flapjack.

Lions versus Owls

Parents and children from Lindley Infant School

Two separate planting sessions today, with Lindley Owls (Observing Wildlife with Lindley School) at Parkwood Golcar, and Colne Valley Lions at Scammonden.

At Parkwood Golcar Mrs Shires brought out the massed parents and children of Lindley School. We planted over 300 Woodland Trust donated trees, Rowan, Hazel, Birch, and Oak. Rain held off, and everyone had a nice time. CVTS people were myself, Ann, Damian, Rowan, Geoff and Neil. We had homemade biscuits, and all the children got a certificate of achievement.

CVTS folks on a break at Scammonden

At Scammonden members of the Colne Valley Lions planted 200 trees, Oak, Rowan, and I think Bird Cherry. CVTS folks helping the Lions were Cath, Philip, Peter, Ben, Dave, Brian, Peter, Trevor, Ramsay and Dianne. They didn't get to have homemade cake, so brought a cornucopia of shop bought substitutes. See below, greedy gets. But it gave them energy to go fetch more logs for the woodshed afterwards.

Lots of great photos to choose from, so one big one from each session , plus some smaller ones.

Assorted snacks at Scammonden

A small person planting at Parkwood

Back to Meltham

See, sunshine. That's Philip in the distance on left, Stephen, Rowan and Cath foreground,
Neil, Duncan, Geoff and Julia in on the far hillside.

Back to High Brow Meltham, lovely morning too. Not like last week. We were: Rowan, , Dave, Philip, Neil, Julia, Duncan, Cath, Geoff, Stephen, Ann, me, Ben, Trevor, Peter, Brian and John. Once again visited by Mr Sykes and Willis the dog. We planted around 250 Oak and Rowan, leaving another 50 or 60 on site to do. Cake was a very acceptable sponge with jam and buttercream filling. After planting we made a trip to collect logs to fill our drying shed. And then retired to the Sair.

Our lovely new Thor nylon headed hammer

High Brow Meltham, Week 1

Willis wants Philip's biscuit.

Awful start to the morning, with fierce wind and rain, but it did brighten up later. We began planting 500 trees on a bracken infested hillside overlooking Meltham Mills. Probably got about 150 done, so we still have plenty of work to do. We were, Neil, Neil, Guy, Ann, me, Philip, and Ben - joined later by Trevor, Brian and Dianne. Hopefully, with a better turn out, we can finish here next week. Cake was a choice of homemade ginger biscuits, and chocolate slice. Very nice. We were joined by Mr Sykes and his dog Willis. Willis enjoyed a ginger biscuit.

Parkwood Wood (needs a better name than that)

Edouard, hard at work with his mini-spade

This week we were at Parkwood in Golcar, a site organised by the landowner Richard.

We helped plant over 500 trees in an attempt to turn these old grazing fields in to community woodland. A mixture of Oak and Ash, and using canes, spirals, and biodegradable mulch mats in some cases.

We were, Geoff, Cath, Diane, Trevor, Peter, Bob, Brian, other Peter, Philip, me, Damian, Rowan, Dave, Edouard, Maxime, P.A and Claudine.

Cake was a delicious date and walnut slice, and Damian handed round some equally delicious sloe gin.

Geoff digging! Damian looks on in awe.

Woolley's trough - The Senior Section plant Rowan at Linfit Lane

In a separate planting event, Brian, Trevor and Duncan went to Linfit Lane and planted 15 Rowan. Trevor claims to have discovered an C18th horse trough while digging. Or could it be the original bathtub on wheels from "Last of the summer wine"?????

Huck Hill and a bit of snow

Blue sky, long farm track, ice and snow, intrepid wheelbarrow.

Today we were at Huck Hill above the Tunnel End, Marsden. We have planted here before, and today we planted 195 Woodland Trust trees along a permissive path across the site. Actually we only got 135 planted before it started snowing, but the landowner Iain will plant the rest when there is a nice day. I had taken all the trees up there in my intrepid wheelbarrow. Which was hard work, but it was nice and sunny first thing. We were: Peter, Philip, Geoff, Cath, Ben, Guy, Mandy, and myself. Geoff did some more filming for his documentary. Cake was a delicious almond slice (bakewell tart).

Iain, Guy, Philip, Mandy, Cath, Ben, Peter and Geoff.Cake time.

Huck Hill preparations

Spent an hour dragging planting materials up to Huck Hill, ready for Saturday. Beautiful morning.