I am woman - Chain of fools

Me and Harriet compete for best dressed volunteer.

A first for CVTS, we had gender parity today, in terms of numbers. We were: Dianne, Jess, Harriet and Tanya, plus Dave, myself, Steve and Lee.

The location of this historic event was Throstle. Where we were removing Blackthorn roots and cutting back Willow. Got a good bit done but yet still more to do.

After deciding on a woman theme there were a lot of tune suggestions. So a 70's feminist anthem, and a tune for Aretha.

https://youtu.be/xwMOC5i2eRk

https://youtu.be/hrcUNChhOP0

Look what you made me do.

It didn't see Dave coming.

A heroic/foolhardy one man effort from Dave this week to grub out Blackthorn roots at Throstle. Probably better to share the pain with some equally misguided friends?

https://youtu.be/Q0oIoR9mLwc

Back in black(thorn)

Hap looking momentarily disconsulate. John and Adrian not quite at that point, yet.

This week we were back at Throstle Green. We need to cut back some undergrowth, hopefully for the final time. And we started on the worst bit, a thicket of blackthorn. It was not easy or pleasant, in fact it was hellish, but we got it done. We were: myself, Hap, John, Adrian, Stephen, Steve and Dave. Geoff decided to stay a the nursery. Cake was an excellent flapjack with fresh raspberry filling.

https://youtu.be/pAgnJDJN4VA

Fun for all the family

This week week we were up the far side of Scammonden, knocking back Himalayan balsam, and collecting old guards off grown trees. Lots of families and dog walkers kept passing us as they used the major path that Yorkshire Water have built around the reservoir, only one lot stopped and asked what we were doing. The weather was kind, breezy, but dry. Cake was homemade jam sponge. We were: myself, Adrian, John, Ben and Geoff. We must have collected 100+ guards, and a lot of cable ties.

I know I have shoehorned this tune title in somewhat, but was listening to it in the car that morning. I imagine the Academic Hamiltons were a bit like this.

https://youtu.be/6228-Jl1NW8

Everything's gone green

Me, rumbling in the jungle.

Back up to Butterley for the final bashing of the bracken. We were: myself, Adrian, Geoff, Dave, Philip, Ben, John, Hap and Stephen.


https://youtu.be/q5LqrBgEslM

Winter Hill

Back we were, back up Wessenden, knocking back more Bracken. Near the end now, but encountering some of the first go head high primeval stuff.

We were: myself, Philip, Geoff, Dave, John, Hap, Peter and Stephen.

On talking about the moor fires, this track by A certain ratio came up.

https://youtu.be/isMh1itIiuU

Sign of the times

Today we were working beside the Pennine Way sign up Wessenden, bashing more bracken. We were also removing stakes and guards from the unusual number of failures of trees planted. We suspect this was because the trees planted here were stock that had been held over from a previous season. It still wasn't catastrophic though, with less than 10% failing. And we did retrieve over 100 stakes and guards that can be re-used.

We were: myself, Philip, Stephen, Peter, Hap, Ben and John. Oat biscuits and freshly picked strawberries at break time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOKJfQpbsL0

It ain't easy

More bracken destruction, takes a while on this scale. But vital if the trees are to thrive.

This time we were: myself, Philip, Geoff, Hap, John, Steve and Peter.

Hap, lavishing tlc on the little trees.

https://youtu.be/OnI_ko3_r_c