Hackfall Woods: 16-10-12

Editor's note - this is a second blog entry for Tuesday 16th October. Many NCVs had booked in for the farm buildings training at Pateley Bridge - see next entry below. Those who preferred a more practical option were able to re-visit Hackfall to work with another volunteer group.) 

There were two NCVs in attendance at Hackfall today, along with twelve "Firm Friends" from Wolseley of Ripon.  We were pleased to welcome new recruit Ryan from Washington DC, though as his wife is expecting soon he might be otherwise engaged on Tuesdays in the coming weeks.  As it happened, it "turned out nice again" and we had nary a drop of rain, though the wind threatened to blow us off our feet at times as we approached the woods, wherein it was much calmer.  

Once again we formed a chain gang and ferried stone to the lower reaches of the wood.  Some of the Wolseley lot complained in jocular fashion that they never normally lift anything heavier than a mouse, so they must have been aching all over by the time they got home.  "Anyone for the early bath?" as Eddie Waring might not have said.  Paul was active with the mechanised barrow, making sure that there was plenty of stone and that nobody had a chance to relax.  He did however let some of us off whilst he gave the Hackfall conducted tour.  All in all, a very productive day.  Many thanks to our friends from Wolseley.

Will

The Wolseley Team's perspective

Heavy overnight rain, strong winds and a couple of unfortunate last minute dropouts did not diminish our enthusiasm as we congregated at the office. “Be reet” we reassured each other, and with that we set off on the 20 minute drive from Ripon to Hackfall Wood. Meeting us there was Paul Mosley, Nidderdale AONB Volunteer Coordinator, who would be putting us to work maintaining some of the many paths that wind their way through Hackfall Wood.

As we donned wellies and waterproofs in the car park, Paul explained some of the history of the site and what our tasks for the day would entail. Pushing wheelbarrows and clutching spades we descended from the exposed car park on the top of the hill down into the wood below. Mercifully the valley and the trees provided us with perfect shelter from the bracing wind. We set up camp at Kent’s Seat next to Alum Spring, a small clearing cut by Grewelthorpe Beck which via a serious of waterfalls carves its way down to the River Ure. 

After the obligatory health and safety we started work shovelling gravel into buckets, transporting it down a steep muddy path, and then laying it to create a far more solid surface to walk on. After an hour we took a well earned break, sharing flapjack, brownies and biscuits. Refuelled and revitalised we got back to work and by lunchtime had all but worked our way from halfway to the River Ure back up to Alum Spring.

Having polished off our lunch in double quick time we were treated to a guided tour of the rest of Hackfall by Paul. Fisher’s Hall, the Fountain Pond, the ruin at Mowbray Point, each view more spectacular than the last. Our sightseeing complete and photos taken we got back to work.

In the afternoon there was time for digging out sand for use on the paths from the beck at Alum Spring, then more gravel laying. As they day wore on our physical exertions slowly caught up with us and the pace slowed. It was most satisfying to see tangible results at the end of a day of hard day’s labour,  however our aching limbs weren’t quite so thrilled, and were ready for home. We packed up and trekked back to the cars. Some members of the group found the energy for a spot of wheelbarrow racing en route, quite how I am not sure! One thing I do know is that we all will have slept well that night.

Ian (Wolseley Team Member)