Coppicing at Kirkby Malzead: 29-01-13

(Editor's note - as a special treat this week's entry ends with a brilliant poem, penned by our resident NCV bard, Tony. It relates to one of the points of interest listed in the entry below so you will need to read the blog first in order to understand where the idea for the poem came from.)

Today's task involved coppicing a number of hazel trees and removing some holly bushes alongside a bridleway above Ringbeck Farm, Kirkby Malzeard. Unfortunately, as trees do, they keep growing and blocking off the view of the village from the bench that has been sited at the spot (see below), particularly for the purpose of keeping an eye on residents as they go about their daily business.

This was a joint venture - a band of 14 people with seven NCVs, two NYCC volunteers, two members of the Kirkby Malzeard parish council, our two volunteer wardens and a tree warden. I think there was also a partridge in a pear tree there somewhere (unless we had sawn its perch down!)

In spite of the shocking weather conditions yesterday, the day dawned reasonably bright and dry. We set to, armed to the teeth with loppers and saws and managed to get a couple of hours of work done before lunch. Then the rain started. We carried on regardless - as we usually do. (A little bit of rain never hurt anyone.) 

Angela made herself very popular with many trees in the area that were not being coppiced by removing their old tree guards - a job well overdue. Each one breathed a sigh of relief as she set to with her trusty Stanley knife. Paul managed to get in a lot of practice with his chain saw. Thank goodness he did that training course. The job would have taken much, much longer without that!

By 1:30 pm the task was finished. (Just as well really because the rain was becoming very persistent and heavy.) 
a) The view was restored: 

b) The brash was all neatly piled in four enormous brash piles. The local invertebrates were all moving in and deciding on soft furnishings even before we left: 

c) Dozens of old tree guards were stacked neatly at the bottom of the hillside.

Special points of interest to note:

• Chris S gave Chris G an on site tutorial about how to make a proper brash pile. She is willing to give tuition to anyone interested at a reasonable fee. 
• In spite of trying hard to do otherwise Will managed to avoid hitting anyone with a sawn off branch/tree on a number of occasions. 
• We found a really good example of Auricularia auricula-judae.  (What do you mean "what's that"? It's 'Jew's Ear' fungus of course - follow the link to read all about it.)

• The local hunt went past on the road below us whilst we were working. Two of them went galloping by us on the bridleway. Not sure if they had got lost or just knew a quicker way to get to the man blowing the horn - but they looked very smart in their red and black coats.

• A low point of the day for me occurred before we even arrived at the bench. The bridleway has an area I have now christened 'the Bog of Eternal Stench', half way up the hillside. My wellies disappeared up to the ankles and I gracefully keeled over onto my knees. Luckily Jan managed to grab me before I fell flat on my face in the mud. (Thanks Jan!)  So - lovely clay all over my trousers, even before a branch was lopped. Good job they are waterproof and could be hosed down at home. 

Ros E

And here is Tony's poem entitled - 'Brash' written in response to the line: "The local invertebrates were all moving in and deciding on soft furnishings even before we left.”

Brash 

At half past two they said “Enough, the coppicing is done.

The village now is visible, the work we’ve done was fun.”

They left behind an area now cleared of tools and trash,

But circling the perimeter they left four piles of brash.

The colonising inverts were the first upon the scene.

The coleoptera led the way, they’re always very keen.

On moving house, but then they found there wasn’t any trace

Of modern creature comforts, there was just unfurnished space.

The woodlouse didn’t stand a chance, the beetles got there first.

The millipedes as always were the ones to come off worst.

It’s never very easy when you’ve got so many feet

To decide which one comes after which, you just accept defeat.

At dawn next day the Beetle Ma rushed off to catch the bus,

To beat the other inverts to Soft Furnishings ‘R’ Us.

She knew the store was selling off its surplus winter stock

And she knew that bedding came before the purchase of a frock.

While back at home the Beetle Pa was stocking up with grub

And hoping for the chance to meet some mates down at the pub.

He needed sympathy and help to counteract his fear

For he knew next day his Beetle Ma would drag him to IKEA!

Tony