Two things to report on today......
At the Council Chambers 10 NCVs attended training, alongside 3 AONB office staff, for 'Grassland Ecology and Identification', with Judith Allinson from the Malham Tarn field centre. Part of the day was spent in the classroom and part in the churchyard opposite, where we really started to understand how to identify the grasses. We all learned a great deal and enjoyed the practical work. This session was particularly useful to those of us involved in AONB surveying projects such as the ongoing hay meadow and roadside verge surveys. Thanks to Judith for making the session interesting and informative.
The highlight of the day, it has to be said, was Dave L's demonstration of the structure of a grass flower, using the model that Judith had cleverly constructed with cardboard, pipe cleaners, polystyrene and fluffy fabric. He started confidently, naming the outer elements, but came unstuck on the innards which, when he removed them, bore a striking resemblance to a dead chicken.
For those who attended the session the book reference was:
Atherden, M. & Sykes, N. 'Wild Flowers on the Edge' - PLACE
ISBN 978-1-906604-40-0
It can be ordered online for £9.99 from YPD books.
At the Council Chambers 10 NCVs attended training, alongside 3 AONB office staff, for 'Grassland Ecology and Identification', with Judith Allinson from the Malham Tarn field centre. Part of the day was spent in the classroom and part in the churchyard opposite, where we really started to understand how to identify the grasses. We all learned a great deal and enjoyed the practical work. This session was particularly useful to those of us involved in AONB surveying projects such as the ongoing hay meadow and roadside verge surveys. Thanks to Judith for making the session interesting and informative.
Inside everyone is hard at work with magnifying glasses.
Ruth despairs - is this rough or
smooth meadow grass?!
The grasses get stuck on the right page
under the right name - we hope!
Out in the churchyard everyone finds as many different
grasses as they can and gets busy finding out what they are.
Has yours got whiskery auricles? Mine has.
Judith helps the two Daves to tell the difference
between their specimens.
For those who attended the session the book reference was:
Atherden, M. & Sykes, N. 'Wild Flowers on the Edge' - PLACE
ISBN 978-1-906604-40-0
It can be ordered online for £9.99 from YPD books.
Ros E.
Whilst this was happening a different kind of training was going on in Fishpond Wood. Here 3 NCVs joined the 3 Heritage Skills students and Alan, the historic buildings surveyor, to learn about lime mortar. Jan reports.....
Jan
A
great course indeed! It started with an introduction to the lime cycle (see below).
Alan
explained the importance of lime mortars in traditional buildings – for example
80% of moisture in stone or Victorian brick is released through the mortar mix.
The effective release of moisture is important in keeping the building dry. He
also explained lime washes and showed how easy it is to prepare a lime mortar
mix (see video link http://youtu.be/eAAQqvqUdE0.) However, the mix, known as a Natural Hydraulic Lime, also comes in a tub. As long
as the mix is submerged in water the shelf life is indefinite.
The NCVs make some of the lime mortar by hand
and use some pre-made mortar from mature lime putty.
After lunch we split into two groups. Andy and her charges tackled the stone walling around the gated entrance to the Fishpond nearest to the barn. Osian, Judith and myself were assigned to point the stone walling near the gated entrance off Peat Lane
The work on the ice house had been completed earlier by the stone mason.
Jan uses a zealous approach to cleaning
the wall and steps in readiness.
The wall before.....
..... and after the work is done. Jan is very proud of his efforts.
The students managed this section at the other
end of the wood. Very professional work!
Here the mortar was going off too quickly
so Judith had to bash it into place with a stiff brush.
No comments:
Post a Comment