Bewerley Park Outdoor Education Centre: 14-05-2013

(Editor's note - due to an absence of photographs of NCVs actually at work this week I have had to resort to some 'artist impressions' here and there. Although they lack a little in likeness to the people depicted I trust that they give a flavour of what we were doing.You may need to zoom in to see them in all their glory!)

Thirteen volunteers met at the barn at 9.15am. In the absence of Paul, Ros E. (“the Boss”) took control and advised that the day’s task was to remove a (less than) rabbit proof fence on the site of the adjacent Bewerley Outdoor Centre. Tooled up we were met by Ade, the site manager, who explained what was required and, more importantly, what arrangements had been made for morning coffee.

We split into three teams taking up positions along the 250 metres (approximate) of fencing. At first sight the task appeared straight forward - that was until we started!  Well secured embedded posts and stubborn wire mesh entangled with the undergrowth proved to be quite a challenge.

Various approaches were tested by the teams and eventually a methodology evolved that allowed us to get on top of the job. Will mastered the art of post removal and Colin’s approach to ridding the wire of earth and vegetation was, if not scientific, very effective – just kick it!

Will's approach to post removal

Two different ways of dealing with the wire

Despite a dubious forecast the weather held during the morning with brighter sunny intervals. Lunchtime came a little after noon when rain and hail prompted a speedy retreat to the site workshop, allocated to us for that purpose. Little wildlife or bird life was seen but there was plenty of discussion of recent sightings in the dale over lunch.

At one end of the workshop Anita holds nearby NCVs in thrall with her lunchtime anecdotes, whilst Will lays back smug in the knowledge that the fence posts are no more. 

At the other end Hannah sits, head in hands,
exhausted by Dave B's wire removal methodology.

The afternoon brought more fair weather and the party was able to complete the task by 2.00pm. Job well done! Back at the barn we discovered Jan beavering away inside making leaflet display racks. Mmmm! On reflection, as I sit here nursing aching limbs, I think he got it right.

Dave L.