Hackfall Wood: 25-09-2018

The 25th September - as you all probably know - is World Dream day. It's a day for 'Advancing Dreams And Making A Difference'. Very appropriate for the NCVs. We are always advancing our dreams of a better environment for wildlife and doing our best to make a difference within the Nidderdale AONB. 

This week we were back at Hackfall and our dream was of footpaths clear of overhanging vegetation and dog poo bags; culverts free of fallen leaves; areas free of balsam. We knew, before we arrived, that our dream was pie in the sky. To achieve it we would have to work hard to make up the difference between that and reality. So - that's what we tried to do.......

Beautiful weather awaited the NCVs at Hackfall.

The strong winds last week had brought down trees and branches.

Some were just far too big for us to deal with.

Others were manageable, so bow saws were deployed.

Just how many NCVs does it take to shift a tree?
(Admittedly it was rather a large one!)

David decided to tackle this specimen single handed 
(with the aid of his trusty mattock).

Then he was off doing another job.

Vegetation was slashed back....

 ...or lopped off at great height....

...and down at ground level.

Anita put her litter picker to good use on a random bit of balsam....

...before going off to do a gully clearance dance.

Osian dutifully carried around a mattock all day but only got the
 chance to use it on the way back to the car park. 
Never mind Osian - think of the good exercise that this has given you!

Half the group took the low road so had the 
benefit of coffee time at the beach....

...enjoying the view of the river.

Everyone met up for lunch at the pond....

....where the fountain was in full swing.

 A debate ensued about the difference between mayflies, damselflies and dragonflies.
All of which were dancing around the place.

Pity they couldn't check out this website at the time.

After lunch, the duo experienced in joinery (Jan and Phil) left the group for a pub visit. No - only kidding. They went off to assess the task of making a scythe container for the Barn. The mortals ploughed on clearing the remaining paths of encroaching growth. We look forward to seeing the container when it's complete.