Day Ash Farm: 09-06-2026

Back to holly removal.

Every now and again the NCVs visit Day Ash farm and this week was one of those times. There were two jobs to do, but the main focus was on halo coppicing the holly around the other trees within the woodland and dead hedging the brash to demarcate the footpath.

There was also some way-marking needed here and there along the footpath to help walkers avoid losing their way.

Let's see the NCVs at play as they worked solidly through a mixture of sunshine and heavy showers......

We were greeted by three stars of the 

TV programme 'All Creatures Great 

and Small." Gorgeous!!! 

Here's what was remaining from the large 

dead hedge created last year. 

Soon everyone was cutting down holly

trees or lifting the crown of others

so that Andy could get in with his chain saw.

As it was cut it was dragged away...

...to be processed and inserted 

into the old hedge line.

Stake man Osian sharpened 

a pile of poles...

...to be used in the hedge 

to keep it under control.

There was sunshine and showers

throughout the day.

Coffeetime sun...

...and lunchtime rain.

Andy C provided the energy boost at

coffeetime - thanks Andy!!!

And Olivia broke out her 

birthday cake which took the edge off

the lunchtime deluge.

Happy Birthday Olivia!!!

Having got this side up to

 scratch by lunchtime...

...we moved to the opposite side of the 

path in the afternoon and got

 this much done.

Andy C was able to speed things

up with his chainsaw.

Half of the group was busy down at 

the other side of the wood building

 a very large brash pile.

By close of play there was a 

big change in the view of the wood.

When quitting time was called

Everyone walked past the 

three new waymarkers that 

Osian, Mick and Andy installed

first thing. All they need now is

 their tops painting.

ROW task: 4th June 2026 

Last Thursday a small ROW team donned their waterproofs and went out to clear a footpath from Aldfield village down to Aldfield spa. Apparently a member of the public had reported a tree that had fallen across the path and encroaching vegetation. Here is what we found.....

This was the offending tree.

But offending no longer!

This hazel was on the droopy side.

But not for long!

The pendulous sedge was just one

of many plants trying to take over the footpath.

However - with a great deal of 

slasher wielding...

...the path became far more benign

for the walkers.

Glasshouses and a wallers' update: 26-05-2026 and 02-06-2026

A double helping!!

Due to the editor's family holiday last week, readers can now catch up on what has been going on over the last two task days. June has now arrived and a variety of things needed to be done.

Last week the NCVs met at Harewell Woods in order to continue the job of removing invasive holly - something they have done from time to time over the last couple of years. 

Osian reported that:

A select few NCV souls ventured out into the hot, still woodland at Glasshouses.

Some toiled, boiled and sawed.

Some toiled, boiled and brash piled.

And one toiled, boiled and bark ringed.

Honorary NCV, Harry, was our star quad bike driver taking tools and our bags to the site. He also got in on the ring barking act (see below).

Liz kindly provided homemade oaty flapjack impressively individually wrapped in a well known brand's livery. They were gratefully received nevertheless.  

After a strange discussion about chicken fillets during lunchtime, 

Liz called a halt to work due to the hot conditions.

The photos below show the process of ring barking in order to eventually kill the tree:

 

This week they had a complete change and met at the barn.

Here the first puzzle to be solved

was how to assemble the mower.

Then three stayed put and sharpened tools.

The rest walked along to the Glasshouses verge in order to carry out a number of jobs - as you can see in the pictures that follow:

First off they cleared back encroaching 

vegetation from the bridleway that

 runs down the verge side.

Eventually the assembled mower 

arrived and Andy and Liz cut the two 

grassy areas either side of the picnic benches.

Everyone then  turned their attention

 to raking the cut grass.

This was transferred into four 

builders' bags...

...or into the sacrificial corner.

(Don't worry - no NCVs are

to be sacrificed here!)

Hopefully this early cut will allow these

two areas to bloom with wild flowers

like the rest of the verge!!!

Some of this dying willow was pruned

off, but Liz's chainsaw is needed

another time.

Back at the barn the dumpy bags were unloaded

from the trailer ready for Liz to take to the tip.

Wallers' Update

Wednesday 20th May by Barry - The Washburn Heritage Centre

The original request to repair cheek ends damaged by delivery vehicles, plus a short extension at the other side of the car park, blossomed into a commitment to repair the whole length of the north-west perimeter wall of the car park.

The original wall

A day of breezy showers forecast, however, the sheltered location gave us mainly dry and mild conditions with jackets discarded for the exertions of digging out the bank for a better alignment, plus the removal of dumped grit behind the wall. Some useful stone was recovered, but the dismantled wall was mostly shallow, dictating a modest height in the reconstruction. 

Good progress was made with a strong team of 7, including new recruit Andy who brings recent DSWA experience & revived skills from teenage school holidays working alongside his professional waller grandfather. Welcome Andy! 

Close of play - a good start made!

Repaired cheek end

Liz delivered two trailer loads of additional stone for the extension aided by Rod & Duncan. Exotic pork pies at lunch from Andy H. nourished us for the afternoon’s labours.

Wednesday 27th May - by Graham

A six strong team enjoyed another warm, but not too hot day in very pleasant surroundings.  We last did a major job at the Washburn Heritage Centre car park in August 2017. Today we completed another two week stint and finished off rebuilding the western wall of the car park, some twenty five yards or so, plus a three yard extension next to the footpath.

Three metre extension

Twenty five yard rebuild