Having had some time off for the festive season - and an extra week due to the freezing conditions which made the planned task impossible - this week the NCVs finally got back to work. Now - what do you suppose they were doing?
Initially a nice, gentle, New Year visit to Hackfall was mooted. However - that idea went by the board when news came through (before Christmas day) that a delivery of bare rooted trees, stored in plastic bags, had already arrived for Highfield Farm and a tree planting task just HAD to take priority as soon as conditions allowed.
It was all systems go. The NCVs rushed to the work site where they found 440 trees ready and waiting to be planted. Of course, this would not be a problem. They had had plenty of practice in tree planting at the start of December. 440 would be a doddle - as long as the ground had defrosted and there were no hidden wall foundations along the hedge line!!
The pictures below show the outcomes for this first task day of 2026.....
The frozen conditions of the first week back in January did not prevent the walling group getting out on the 7th January. Barry sent in this report of their labours last week....
A sparkling morning for the New Year start at Markenfield Hall, brilliant mid-winter sunshine illuminating every element of topography and the mallard on the frozen moat impatiently waiting for a thaw.
Seven of us strode the kilometre path to the furthest extent of the Park Pale to resume work on the final section of repair.
Steady progress took us to coffee time when we were joined by Graham for a social call. Barry was summoned to The Hall at lunchtime to receive a Christmas gift, and a card of gratitude and good wishes for 2026, further extolled in person by Lady Deidre.
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