Timble: 25-01-2022

This week the NCVs gathered at yet another new venue - that of Highfield Barn, Timble, where the land owner has applied to the Farming in Protected Landscape Scheme for a new hedge and drystone wall rebuild. Today the gang were helping prepare the site before the hedge plants arrive.  There were some trees and a pond in need of TLC, and an old hedge which needed coppicing. Apparently the field is a hunting ground for a local barn owl so, to increase the chances of it finding some local wildlife to eat, the creation of a good brash pile was added to the day's job list. Plenty to keep everyone busy then - whatever it takes to help out Mr. Owl!!

Here are the pictures taken as the day progressed....

The day was cold and gloomy - 

hence the quality of the following photos.

The field is called 'Barney's meadow' and the owners

are going to encourage wild flowers to grow here.

The pond is at the bottom of the hill and

 is in need of a good deal of attention.

Not a job for this week.

Instead the NCVs focused first on

 coppicing the trees down the wall line 

to allow the wallers to work.

Everyone picked a tree to work on in pairs.

Friedy and Chris chose this one - something 

that they could get rid of completely.

Paul and Dave faced this rather large specimen bravely...

...and, with chainsaw help, made a huge difference.

Sarah and Tom made a start on this holly....

...and, again, managed to get it right back out of the way.

Sarah was puzzled by the two different types of leaves

 on the holly bush, until Liz explained to her that the uppermost

 leaves don't need to be spiky as they grow out of reach of deer.

Graham pondered the best way to tackle this huge holly.

With a bit of help from his friends the 

ground below was opened up to the light.

Liz's chain saw skills were put

 to the test throughout the day..

As per usual great waves of brash accumulated and needed 

dragging down to the bottom of the hill for processing.

So - Anita made a start on a brash pile....

And Ros E. began to construct a log pile.

Both would become excellent homes for wildlife of all kinds.

It wasn't all plain sailing. This branch got caught 

up in the crown of this tree. 

A quick re-enactment of the story of the enormous turnip ...

...managed to pull it free.

Right - what next?

A coffee break probably - along the one section

 of wall relatively free from vegetation.

By close of play the brash pile had reached 

monster proportions. Jumping up and down on top 

of it ensured that it was good and solid.

The log pile, too, was a very good size.

As you can see from a glance behind the fence -

there remained a good deal of brash to be dealt with.

Still - we don't want to be without a job on another Tuesday.

Maybe next time we will work there in sunshine!