Ashfold Side Beck: 23-05-2017

The NCVs were all very glad to be working in much drier conditions this week. It was another chance to get to grips with footpath work - this time near the old Prosperous lead smelting works below Greenhow Hill. It was a great opportunity to work in the beautiful valley of Ashfold Side Beck within Nidderdale’s historic industrial heartland, which (along with a sunny weather forecast) probably accounts for a good turnout of 13. Here are the snapshots from the day.....

The good news was that the sky was blue.
The bad news was that all the tools had to be 
collected from the top of the hill.

So up between the old spoil heaps we marched.

All around us were drifts of the beautiful spring sandwort - 
one of the only plants that can survive the lead levels on these heaps.

Tools collected, we then walked down again to the work area.
 Now we know what the Grand Old Duke of York's men felt like.

And when we were only half way down... 
footpath officer Peter explained the task.

Soon there were channels being dug right, ...

...left...

...and centre.
These allowed the water, gathering on the path, to drain away.

Meanwhile Graham and Phil were barrowing 
rocks up the track to fill a big hole.

Slowly but surely the hole filled up.

And then - with a bit of crazy paving
 work and top dressing - Ta Da!

Those channels couldn't be left as simple ditches across the path.
Dear me no - that would never do.

NCVs like to do a job properly. 
The mess gradually became a work of art.

A small team went up to the top of the hill (again) 
and laid these stone slabs across a very wet area. 
(Not a job for the faint hearted!)

A special thanks to Joanna Swires for her flapjack contribution!!

In spite of all the heavy digging the team 
were all smiling by the end of the day. 

And finally - last week we included a couple of extra bits of information about other work the volunteers get up to during the rest of their week. Do you remember the Old Spring Wood interpretation board that was in need of repair? Well, thanks to both John and Kath, who gave up their spare time one day recently, it is now re-instated in its rightful position and looking great.

A grand job - set off beautifully by the bluebells.

On Wednesday another group of volunteers will be undertaking the Wild Watch river survey training and on Thursday three more will be getting up at the crack of dawn to count the birdies as part of the AONB's Wild Watch project. There's always something interesting to do in this part of the world!

Ros E.