What was needed at the observatory?!
If I tell you that the NCVs got a call to turn up at Lime Tree Farm in Grewelthorpe this week you may feel a little perplexed. This is the home of the Lime Tree Observatory which houses a rather famous 24" reflecting telescope. At the time of its construction, it was the largest amateur-built telescope in the World.
So - why on earth were the NCVs having to go there? Did Liz want us to carry out a Himalayan Balsam survey on Mars? Would we be able to see it growing from this distance, even with a 24" telescope? And would its seeds actually have any impact on the River Nidd?
Of course not! There is more to Lime Tree Farm than the observatory. This is a farm that makes great efforts to do good things for the environment and today's task involved.....well, see for yourself!
Hmmm. They are all looking rather serious. I wonder why?
Ahh - so that's the task.
Lay 102m of old hedge.
Not surprising they looked serious.
Osian made the mistake of standing
near the wheelbarrow so was
drafted in as the 'pusher'.
Everyone was a bit dismayed when
they saw the hedge close up.
It had been laid once before in the past.
The branches were covered in lichen -
a sure sign that it was very old.
Come on folks - chins up and start
getting out what needs removing.
So that's what they did.
There was a lot of dead material
that broke off quite easily.
Pretty soon brash was being
hauled away in large quantities.
"It just came off in my
hand your honour."
Gradually, what looked like an
impossible task became achievable.
Mind you - there were times when
twisted trunks caused real problems...
...and some tall stems needed
high level action.
At coffee time everyone went
through this wooden arch....
...where they were able to sit
in comfort....
...next to this education centre
- a replica of an iron age hut,
with a thatched roof and
wattle and daub walls.
They were spoilt for choice with
a number of composting loos
(not iron age).
Not quite sure what this structure
is. A stone age observatory?
It is certainly the right shape
compared to the real one!
Work continued into the afternoon,
by which time the hedge was
looking a bit on the thin side.
Julia was kept busy
shifting brash and raking up
all the branches and twigs.
Stakes were inserted to ensure that
grazing sheep didn't knock over the
pleached stems.
By close of play 50m of it
had been either laid
(apart from the occasional
standard tree)...
...or piled ready for burning,
in three enormous brash piles.
Time to go home!
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