Westfields, Glasshouses: 09-05-2023

 

Dare I say 'Tree Tubes'?

Just when they thought that it was safe to go out, the NCVs were informed this week that they would be dealing with tree tubes for a third week on the run. However - they were not removing them this time. Instead they were weeding them and ensuring that they were still vertical. 

The gang were revisiting Westfields in Glasshouses where, in December 2021, in snow and wind, they had planted the saplings in two adjacent fields. Well, at least that was a bit different they thought.

Let's take a look at what ensued shall we?

The view across the valley from Westfields was stunning.

 

The view in the other direction was less inviting - tubes. Uphill!

 

Never mind - let's get on with it. 

 

 That's right Ken - have a good look down at the bottom.

 

Friedy brought her kneeling pad to

 keep her knees dry in th wet grass. 

 

 

Some tubes had a good community 

of weeds that needed removing.

 

 Others were weed free. 

 

 

Everyone worked systematically through both fields.

 

 

By coffee time they were well on the way to finishing.

 

 

Landowner Jill had kindly made two kinds 

of delicious cake to add to the 

NCVs' energy levels. (Thanks Jill!)

 

 

By 11:30 the job was done. 

Early hometime did you say? NO!!!! What on earth gave you that idea? It was off down the hill to the Glasshouses grass verge to take out the fence before the scything season starts and the hedge laying season arrives. No rest for the wicked!!

 

After an early lunch Tim made a start 

on cutting out this horribly prickly 

bramble to allow access to the fence wire.

 

 

Some NCVs slashed the

 nettles along the fence line.

 

This allowed access for the wire cutters.

 

 

Quite a bit of hawthorn, blackthorn, rose 

and bramble had to be pruned off

 to allow the wire to be disconnected from the fence posts. 

 

This was gingerly carted off to where 

Andy and Ros E. were creating a dead hedge.

 

 

Watch your bare arms Andy - there 

is nothing in that hedge that is benign!!

 

Ta Da!! One dead hedge.

 

 

The wire was gradually removed and 

rolled up before being flattened to

 allow transport in Liz's van.

 

This was then taken to the local recycling 

centre where it could be disposed of in a skip.

 By 1:30 this job, too, was completed! 

Well done NCVs for such speedy work

 with such deadly vegetation!