Ellington Banks: 25-03-2025

 

Now - if you read last week's blog entry you will probably be able to guess what was going to be on the NCVs' agenda this week.

Yes - that's right - a continuation of the push back of encroaching trees from the magnesian grassland and newt ponds at MOD training ground Ellington Banks. The fact that poor coordinator Liz was off sick was of no consequence. She simply called on her deputy to take up the reins and crack the whip.

Let's see how the gang got on - there was a lot still to do. Good job they had a good turn out as there was plenty of lopping, sawing, dragging and burning on the job list. 

Yes indeedy.

Plenty of alder here

to keep everyone busy!

Everyone set to, nibbling away at the edge...

...and carting off armfuls of brash...

...to the excellent fire that Andy

 and Ken managed to build.

There was a lot of low level lopping and sawing.

And over here - some high quality

 habitat building was happening.

Cut stumps gradually appeared

all over the place.

Coffeetime and lunchtime were

particularly enjoyed...

...thanks to the appearance of two

boxes of excellent cake.

Thanks Anita - and Happy Birthday!!!

At 2pm time was called and,

amazingly, the area was just about 

cleared. 

All that was left were the very soggy remains

of the towering inferno.

By the way - while the NCVs have been busy in recent weeks, Jan has been beavering away at home making 4 superb owl boxes for putting up at various spots in Nidderdale.

Well done Jan - let's hope they get well used!!