This week was the week of the Autumnal Equinox and our last Tuesday out before the days become shorter than the nights. Therefore it was fitting that one of the two jobs this week was some more scything on the roadside verge at Glasshouses - a very autumnal thing to be doing. One group of NVCs went to carry out this task whilst another joined Rob Light, the AONB's historical officer, and the Heritage Skills students, up at Lodge village, Scarhouse, in order to help with drainage work to protect the structures at this important heritage site.
Up at the head of the dale at Lodge....
The sun was shining - hurray!
The ruined cottages required some assistance.
What was needed was the insertion of this pipe into a trench.
But first the trench had to be dug.
Well done Angela - show them all how to do it!
That's it Graham - put your back into it.
Yes - and you two as well.
Not bad going - almost ready for the pipe.
Let's have a break first.
Now that's a nice fit.
It just needs covering over next.
Meanwhile, further down the dale at Glasshouses the NCVs were having a harrowing time....
A 'before' shot. Lots of hard stemmed
thistles and knapweed to be removed.
(Apologies for the photographer's shadow!!)
Three NCVs set up the scythes and
started to lay into the tall vegetation.
Bend your knees; keep your back straight; swing the blade in an arc;
keep it flat to the ground; shuffle forward 3 cms at a time.
And don't, whatever you do,
forget to sharpen the blade regularly!!
The rest started rolling up the hay into giant sausages.
Gradually great piles of cut veg collected at the edge of the verge.
The picnic benches were well used for coffee break and lunchtime.
Time to rest shoulders, backs and necks....
...whilst having a nice chat....
...and consuming the delicious banana and date loaf
that James had kindly made. (Thanks James!!!)
At the end of the day the verge was looking very different.
(Though there's still a bit to finish off)
Now the meadow flowers will stand a better chance of survival.
And now for a treat. It's a while since our very own bard, Tony, has penned a ditty, but this week he has come up with a cracker. Perhaps it will encourage some non NCV readers to join us on a Tuesday?
The Tuesday NCVs
We meet as a matter of course on a Tuesday.
The dress code’s relaxed, it’s a come as you choose day.
You can if you want to, opt out: a refuse day,
But think on – you owe Mother Nature her dues day.
There’s friendship and laughter, exchanging of news day
And finding from others their differing views day.
All sadness and hates and frustrations to lose day.
A wonderful chance to get rid of the blues day.
You’ll need to bring boots for it’s never a shoes day,
And if it’s a wet one your waterproof trews day.
In winter it’s often a keep warm or grues* day
But please don’t use that to invent an excuse day.
It’s split for the jobs into targeted crews day.
It may be a get in the mud and the ooze day,
Or finding a wall or a bush for a loos day
(It’s best to check first to avoid bulls and moos day.)
We try to ensure that it’s not cut and bruise day
Though tools are all sharp, we don’t have a misuse day.
It’s never a drug or a risk-taking booze day,
It’s minimise-dangers-of-hospital-queues day.
We meet as a matter of course on a Tuesday
Just pick what to bring in your sarnies and
brews day.
So come if you can for you’ve nothing to lose day
?
?
Oh for God’s sake, will you
just turn up?
………I’m running out of
rhymes!
(Editor's note - for those who aren't
sure and don't like to ask...A grue is
a shiver. See for example “A Grue of Ice” by Hammond Innes.).
