Wallers - Breaksfold Farm: 12-08-2026

WALLERS' UPDATE

by Graham

The Nidderdale Wallers can have centre stage in this blog entry, otherwise they would need to wait until the 25th August in order to keep you up to date with their progress,as the editor is away this coming week.

A mighty crew of eight of us were working at Breaksfold Farm this week.  A pleasant but warm morning with the sight of heather in the distance and the occasional flock of geese and an odd kite flying above. Unusually there was a steady stream of aircraft flying into Leeds/Bradford, obviously a factor of the wind direction.  Up to lunchtime good progress was made, but during the break someone switched the heater on and by 14.30pm any energy had been sapped away. 

From the off, Barry and Graham detached themselves and worked on the next stretch. For a good length, the wall was in relatively good condition so only toppers and a course were removed to lower the wall to match what the rest of the team were working on. 

They then set about dismantling a three yard stretch which needed a rebuild.  By lunchtime the wall had been cleared and half the foundations added. 

Barry and Graham's 

progress at lunchtime

The afternoon was another story. Barry completed his foundations and a single course was added, very little progress compared with morning.

The energy sapping progress , 

or lack of it, in the afternoon

The rest of the team continued on from last week, adding something like four courses over the 15 yard section; a lot of walling in the hot conditions!

  

End of day on the main section

Simon, Andy and Wayne 

doing a final inspection

Hackfall Woods: 11-08-2026

An unexpected item 

in the bagging area!

Occasionally the NCvs have to go to help with an unexpected event and this week was one of those times. At the end of July the front section of a very large tree had fallen across a path in Hackfall Woods and, although the main blockage caused by the trunk had been cleared to the side by contractors, as you can see from the photo below, the large quantities of brash, left on either side of the path and in the stream, needed clearing and properly brash piling.

So, suitably armed with loppers, saws, axes and lump hammers, the NCVs sallied forth to deal with the mess......

Well THOSE big logs are 

going to have to stay put!

Just below the bridge 

was a mess!

Where to begin???

Here is as good a place as any.

Yes - and at least this 

looks a bit better.

Ruth and Tom practised for the 

next Commonwealth Games

Amy's love of sawing

in the great outdoors

was clear to see.

The contractors had left a big 

heap here so the NCVs just

 had to neaten it up and add to it.

Now - that's a tidier looking brash pile!

We were able to start this from scratch....

...and then keep going!

Heave everyone!

Why don't we use some 

of these logs as seating?

Good idea - very comfortable.

Amy entertained us

with a rousing  tune or two

on her wooden saxophone.

Meanwhile, down in the stream 

bed things were difficult.

But, gradually, you could see

 the wood for the trees.

Lots of discussion was needed

about how to tackle this.

But with patience and 

the use of a rope, 

they managed to get rid.

Attention shifted to this

part of the water course.

.Slowly but surely the gang 

worked their magic.

That is most definitely better!!!

Just a few bits to clear

from under the stone bridge...

...and a bit of a sweep here and

the job was done - apart from a log

that had to be left for

 the contractors.

Wallers' update

by Barry

Another week at Breaks Fold Farm and a further 5 yards of old wall were dismantled to a point where the next section of the original may be good enough to preserve. Simon & Barry (team A) took on this work while Andy, Dave, Duncan & Rod (team B) completed foundations and added courses to the 10-yard working stint. 

Windswept showers kept us cool with fleeces donned for most of the day, a striking contrast to the calm and warm conditions in July. The Knabbs Ridge turbines were in continuous steady rotation all day. At end of play, team A had set foundations and added a course to their 5 yard section and team B had laid three courses over foundations on their 10-yards. Another productive day with a 3.15pm  finish.

Early afternoon and the

 team was still on the job.

The next three pics show the progress over the last three work days.....

End of day 1

End of day 2

End of day 3 -

it's starting to look more like a wall!!

Holy Trinity Churchyard: 04-08-2026

Twelve NCVs went to

 mow a meadow. 

If it's one thing the NCVs are particularly good at it is making a churchyard look tidy - a job that they are asked to do from time to time. This week they were working in Holy Trinity churchyard in Dacre Banks, somewhere they have swung their scythes, grass slashers and strimmers on a number of occasions. This week they had National Scything Champion 2025 Joe Haywood overseeing the task - an excellent addition to the team.

The pictures below show the progress that was made in the mowing of this churchyard....

So - this is a before pic.

The grass wasn't quite as 

thick as last year but very long.

Any NCVs who were new to

scything had a master class 

from Joe...

...before joining the rest 

of the gang who were already 

hard at work.

Ros raked...

and Tom carried the cut

grass off.

It was dumped onto a tarp

and dragged off to the corner

of the churchyard....

...where it became a trampoline 

for NCVs to play on.

Energy levels were boosted 

by Ros's ginger themed 

birthday biscuits.

Joe stopped to peen 

his blade (as you do)....

...whilst everyone else continued

swishing and raking.

On three occasions the local 

wildlife stopped play.

Here a hedgehog was spotted

sheltering at the base of a gravestone.

A bees' nest and a grass snake were

also disturbed. Sorry fellas!!

By 1:30 the churchyard

was finished and looking

very well coiffed.

All that remained was to 

spread some hay meadow seed....

...and take a final pic to

show the amount of grass cut!

Additionally, a small group of NCVs who double up as Rights of Way improvers went out last Thursday in order to clear Watson's Lane near Norwood.. As you can see they had quite a job to do to unblock the track!

Before. Gulp!

During.

After.

They also had enough energy 

to make a start clearing 

this set of steps!