The day
started miserably, it had been raining all night and low cloud and mist hid the
normally magnificent Nidderdale. Despite this, eleven volunteers and their
leader, Paul, turned up for a day of coppicing at the agreed venue, Bryan’s
wood. After getting suited and booted in waterproofs we set off into a steaming
jungle with many hazards including swollen stream crossings. This was where
some volunteers discovered their first mistake; walking boots were not going to
keep their feet dry. Some time was spent by those in wellies helping the others
to cross. Finally all were safely over and we trekked to the coppicing site
carrying saws, chain saws and other cutting equipment.
Off to work we go - with a bow saw and the all important tin of flapjack!
The NCVs had to battle with raging streams.
The rain had
stopped when we arrived but after such an arduous trek Tony produced flapjack to
spur us on.
The team consume flapjack before starting work,
apart from Hannah who, as usual, uses the spare
time to try to understand the workings of her new mobile phone.
Paul lays down the law with a stern finger point,
indicating where the retribution will come from if we don't toe the line.
The work then began of clearing and cutting. A system soon evolved with teams of cutters,
trimmers and Brash builders. A large clear space started to appear and lots of
fine Hazel poles were produced which are to be used next week for hedging at
Hannah and Dave’s.
Off go the NCVs, looking for hazel trees to coppice
and other trees to clear - plenty to do then!!
Julia cuts.....
... whilst Ruth and Dave trim and the hazel poles begin to mount up against the fence.
That's what we like to see - an NCV happy in his work
Paul wonders if this head gear
would do him for Ascot next year.
Lunch was
called and the cake from last week appeared (thanks to Sparrowhawk Farm) and
swiftly disappeared. The sun came out as forecast.
Jan feels left out of the 'balancing on
a lunchtime log' competition.
Lunch is interrupted by some interesting bird life.
After lunch
we were joined by two new volunteers and work continued. Paul finally called a
halt to cutting, the site was tidied and the brash piles completed, very tightly, as
instructed by Hannah, creating a lovely home for wildlife.
All the cleared brash is stacked expertly into large brash piles.
Alistair watches Hannah and then throws himself into the task with gusto.
What a difference a day makes.... nice and clear of unwanted
undergrowth and tall hazel stems, the coppice is
ready to grow another crop of hazel springs.
Then the bad
news, all the freshly coppiced poles had to be carried back to the cars,
through the jungle across the streams, as well as all the tools!
A weary NCV trails back across the stream
- tools and poles in tow.
Terry
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