Whinney Hill, Warsill: 27-02-2018

Nidderdale - last week!

In case you were wondering why there was no NCV blog entry for last week - snow stopped play. We were meant to be back at Ellington Banks but had to cancel due to the 'Beast from the East' (see state of play in Summerbridge above).

So today, as the beast reluctantly retreated into its cave (waiting until as late as Monday to do so), 10 NCVs were carrying out a very familiar task in a completely new place, namely rhododendron removal at Whinney Hill, Warsill. Unlike the rhodies of Fishpond Wood, these were in a much smaller, fenced off area, so the task didn't seem too overwhelming on first sight. However - there was plenty to do - certainly more than one day's work - as can be seen below..

 Before work started.

Firstly, everyone had to squeeze 

into the car parking area.

With loppers, bow saws and fire lighting equipment to hand the band of happy workers got busy....

 Heads down and in they go.

A bit of brash starts to accumulate.

Meanwhile the all important fire had to be lit using a 
cardboard box full of inflammatory materials.

Things looked promising.

Until the inflammatory materials failed to set 
light to the rather damp stuff that had to be burnt.

Anita tried giving it her blow of life.

To no avail.

So Tony tried with a more 
substantial huffing and puffing method.
Still not promising.

2 and a half hours later they had a respectable bonfire going.
Hurray!

 

Just as well really - because whilst this was going on 

the brash kept accumulating.

 It was being dragged from the oak woodland area 
to the bonfire area at a rapid rate of knots.

Heave Anita.
Put your back into it!

When Osian collapsed into a bush we 
knew it was about time for lunch.

Well - that and the fact that David  was so hungry he 

started eating the rhododendron.

OK Chaps - take a break.

 Then it was back to work.
Guess who?

Tom and Osian - Rhodie bashers extraordinaire.

 Then, suddenly, the edge of the area came into view.

And with one mighty saw we were through - 
at that side anyway.

 By 2:30pm we'd reached the end of our energy supplies 
but had achieved a good deal.

Well done that team!
Don't forget to come back next week to try and finish the job...

...and burn the 47 yards of brash that is still waiting.
It was too late to keep piling it on the hard won bonfire...

...so we just had to leave it to burn down.
What a shame!!