Fishpond Wood: 16-01-2018

This week the NCVs returned to Fishpond Wood for their first visit of 2018. According to James's email they were to be 'working with owner Peter Brambleby to help out with some further landscape maintenance work in sympathy with the wood’s multi-layered history'. They weren't quite sure what that would involve until on site.

According to Osian....

"On a very brisk chilly day approximately 15 NCVs braved some early light blizzards to gather at The Barn in Bewerley. During the briefing for the day's activity at Fish Pond Wood, James broke the news of his departure to a new job starting in February. Good luck James!

The group split into three parties; pond left bank, pond right bank and warm-ish barn shelf-fitters. The Fishpond group toiled to remove rhodie, elder and other unwanted tree roots. This will enable the ongoing broadleaf tree species planting at the pond's edge and further afield in Fishpond Wood. Six young trees were also planted."

The students worked under the stern eye of Osian on the 

dry footpath on one side of the pond... 

 ...while the rest of us slogged our way 

through a deepening swamp opposite. 

An Amelanchier (wild plum tree) planted by Tony and Tom.

Conor gives it everything to dig
 an unwanted root ball out.

One pesky elder root  removed.

A triumphant Andy with an enormous rhododendron 

root he (and others) had dug out.

Roots gone, the clay can be dug out 
to allow new trees to be planted.

And in goes a cherry.

And a maple.

Meanwhile there was the inevitable bonfire, to get rid of the roots

 and some brash that was lying around from a previous visit.
It was always going to struggle with the drenched food we were feeding it,
 but it went reasonably well, coaxed by our experienced pyromaniacs. 

Conditions were muddy and everyone got filthy.

Three fly pasts by a kingfisher over lunch was exciting, 

as well as trying to guess James's age. He wasn't giving anything away.
Perhaps he’ll tell us his true age before he departs? 
Not that it matters - we’ll still miss him and his humour, knowledge, and organisational skills.

By 2pm the Fish Pond group had completed their tasks and were able to inspect what had been going on inside the barn.

Jan, Phil and a new volunteer, Andy, were happy to stay 
in the barn beside the stove, building new shelves. 
Phil claimed they were envious of our outdoor role but nobody believed him.

Work in progress.

Prayers were said to the god of shelving to assist in the process.

Thanks to Osian, Tony, Dave and Tom for all the photos and bits of text - real team work!!