Glasshouses verge part 2: 22-08-2023

"GET BACK IN THAT SADDLE!"

After an embarassing failure to beat the world record at scything on 15th August 2023, this was the advice that Liz gave the team this week. "Don't be beaten, try again!"

The NCVs looked at each other. Could they possibly cut the other half of the Glasshouses verge in 2.25 hours (the speed they would have to work at in order to meet the target)? "No!!!!" they shouted in unison. "We will cut the verge, but will need at least until mid afternoon to do it."

Liz looked miffed. She had been hoping to prove Stan Stopwatch - that well known adjudicator from the Guiness book of records - wrong in his low opinion of her team's scything abilities.  But, no matter how she tried to cajole them, the NCVs remained firm. They simply loaded up their scythes into the truck and walked to the verge with no sense of urgency in their step.

 

A worm's eye view of the job looked daunting.

However, a rainbow hung over the team and filled them with hope.

 

Indiana Friedy started to scythe...

...closely followed by David M. (newly trained just 

three minutes earlier by our resident expert, Phil).

Mick remembered to sharpen his blade.

Anyone like to take a guess at who is 

trying to keep control of this rake?

That's it Ken - make a nice big pile.

Oh. Ok. That's a good way of making sure

 the grass doesn't blow all over 

the road in this strong wind.

Yes Osian. You can have a go too.

 

Hang on - what's that noise?

 

Goodness me! Finally the workings of the one

 year old grass cutting machine 

has been figured out. 

 

Thanks Paul and Andy C. Pity we 

didn't have that last week!

 

These two sleeping beauties were worn 

out after all that heap compaction.

 

Now - what might these be for? Any ideas? 

To mark out the particularly grass heavy

 patches where yellow rattle seed 

is needed to surpress its growth, of course!!

Liz came along and strimmed 

each marked area down to the soil....

...so that the rattle seed had a better chance to grow.

 

Then the NCVs had to pretend to be 

herds of cattle, trampling in the seed.

Could someone fetch the first aid kit please?

NCVs - do be more careful about where you 

fling the stakes once you remove them!

 

The last job of the day was to water in the

 seeds with an AONB squirty thing.

 

 

Then, all too soon, the job was done. 

The workers could return all the tools to the truck.

 

As they walked back to the barn they 

looked proudly on their work, trying to 

ignore the fact that all the grass 

heaps now need to be taken to the tip.

 

Half way through the day these two photos

were sent from Anita and Brenda,

who have formed a temporary splinter group -

the BCVs (Bramhope Conservation Volunteers).

They were busy moonlighting at Bramhope 

Scout camp, dry stone walling!