Basket weaving training and other things: 12-06-2018

Today was another one of those occasional days when the NCVs have to make a choice about what to do. The options on offer included a two day basket weaving course with the experienced tutor in basketry,  Leilah Vyner of 'Dragon Willow', helping out at Glasshouses school to create some raised beds for growing veg or doing some tree guard maintenance at Dacre Banks Nature Park..

5 were lucky enough to have two days to spare and elected to attend the training sessions. They had a great time learning how to work with willow to create baskets, as the pictures below show.

First we had a look at some of Leilah's creations.

Would it be possible for us to do anything like this in 2 days?

Leilah gave us a choice of 2 types of basket to make.

The 'Frame' basket (left) and the larger 'Stake and Strand' basket (right).

There were great big bundles of willow wands ready and waiting for us to use.
These had been harvested in March 2017 and recently soaked for a couple of days.

First everyone had a go at splitting a wand....

....and shaving the pith off some of the resulting 
willow strips to make them flexible.

Next we each made a 'God's eye'  
(although this is only used in a frame basket).

Then it was time to get going on our chosen baskets.

Although it was hard on your hands it was a 
very pleasant way of spending the day.
Mind you - you had to concentrate otherwise you found 
that you had gone over when you should have gone under.

 Sally and Andy first constructed the domed base of their 'Stake and strand' baskets.

Nick also chose this one and was soon ahead of the pack.

His giant spider would eventually become something 
far less unwieldy.

 Spiders became bird cages and then the sides of the baskets could be woven upwards.

They are looking forward to more of the same on their second day of training. The final outcomes will be posted on next week's blog for you all to marvel at. Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable day Leilah!

4 opted to work at Glasshouses school and NCV Tony takes over the story....

The materials were already on site but had to be moved about 75 yards to the lawned area at the back where the raised beds were to be built. Barrows, buckets and brawn were needed, but first the design had to be worked out and the wood and brackets cut to size.

How many NCVs does it take to join two railway sleepers together?

It's easier to get through a piece of timber 
this thick when there are two of you.

Once the frames were in place we lined them with cardboard to suppress weed growth, used gravel to create a good base, then added the top soil. Work ceased while the children had their lunch break but then continued until the beds were completed. 

Well done Ros!
Now you just need a bit of something for the plants to grow in.

What about a bit of gravel for drainage?

 

 So - gravel was transported in various containers.

Excellent - now for some soil.

A little way to go yet Tony.

That's more plant friendly.

After that, netting was used to discourage the local cats from using the facilities, and the sticks used for holding the netting were topped with plastic bottles as a safety precaution. 

Job done!
Over to the children now to plant them up and harvest the produce.
Who would have thought that such a small team of people 
could achieve so much in one day?

Whilst all this was going on the students' team were out at Dacre Banks Nature Park. They were making a start on the tree tube maintenance task that is needed there. We helped plant 3000 trees there a couple of years ago and the majority are doing well. However - a number of tubes need righting, securing more firmly and clearing of weeds. As you can see below - a good start was made.

The hard graft of tree maintenance in full flow.

The majority of trees are doing wonderfully well, 

although this one doesn't seem to have developed
 its leaves yet, in spite of its height.
The grass growing up inside the tube isn't helping.

Owner Michael steadily cut some paths 
through the long grass whilst this was going on.

At lunchtime James's birthday was celebrated- Maggie had bought him a cake.

Happy Birthday James!

In fact there was double cake, thanks to Michael's healthy fruit loaf.
(Thanks Michael - or was it Gwen?)

Now on the birthday cake box was a butterfly picture - 
which Conor carefully cut out.

As no-one else wanted the ignominy of wearing the mask,
Osian did the honours - and very pretty he looks too.

The NCVs weren't the only ones to 
be out enjoying the good weather!

Talking about the students..... they have kindly written some of their thoughts about one of the tasks they have been involved in this year. You can read these by clicking HERE. Enjoy!