Bramhope: 09-11-2021

 
Back to hedging!

The last time the NCVs did any hedge laying was way back in January 2020 BC (Before Covid) so it was a nice change for them to be wielding the billhooks to create order out of chaos again this week. They were at a new venue too - the Bramhope scout camp near Leeds, the place their very own Anita is in charge of the conservation work on the 13.5 acre site. Without further ado, let's take a look at the work that was done.....

There was a good turn out - a 16 strong team 

plus Liz and Anita's husband Pete.

The hedge stretched across 2 fields.

This field's section consisted of many thick 

stemmed bushes and quite a few gaps.

Everything was nicely visible at least.

This field's section of the hedge was far different.

The hedge trees themselves were

 well hidden with undergrowth.

OK - well - let's make a start on revealing those trees.

Team A got busy.

There was a thick wall of Spirea

 bushes that needed to be removed.

Well - that's that sorted!

Spirea? What Spirea?

Eventually, after a lot of hard work, Team A's hedge

 was revealed and is now ready for laying.

In the meantime, Team B were in the next field dealing 

with those big boys that were all ready and waiting.

Many stems had to be removed completely

 as there were just too many in places.

Brenda used an axe and chopped her way to victory.

Jan had brought his handy electric cutter 

which saved some of the hard work.

Mind you - there were some trunks that were even too big for that.

"Liz - chain saw action needed over here please!"

A rope had to even be deployed at one point to help remove 

a tangled, unwanted stem.

"On the count of three, HEAVE!"

"Where on earth shall we start on this one?!"

Eventually, the majority of this field's hedge was layed 

as well as it could be. It wasn't the perfect result 

 the NCVs normally try to achieve but, given the

 starting point, it was pretty good. The rails can go 

on next week.

Needless to say, the process generated oodles of brash.

All of this had to be transported to the bonfire back in Team A's field.

Brash was dragged...

...and brash was carried.

Until, finally, Brenda had the bright idea of using the trolley.

She looks good as a trolley dolly doesn't she?

"Drinks, snacks, logs anyone?"

Excuse me Dave - that's not quite the idea!

At coffee and lunchtime we were treated

 to goodies from Anita's kitchen.

Ooo! Thanks Anita.

Not only were there benches and toilets at this venue - 

there was also the scout's adventure playground equipment...

Brenda was quite a good high wire artiste

 (with a little help from Liz's shoulder).

On the other hand, Andrew, determined to go it alone, 

was inclined to fall off quite frequently.

Andrew - perhaps you're not quite ready for the 

Niagara Falls crossing yet?

Now that is not a bad day's work! A return visit next week is on the agenda so, hopefully, the job will be well underway by then.