If you are thinking of joining the NCVs then don't worry. Being able to replicate the bodily position of the very flexible banana above is not a pre-requisite skill.
'Doing the splits' is defined in the Collins conservation dictionary as "the movement of volunteers from one site to another during the course of a day". This is, of course, very different to 'Splitting the group' - a managerial option "involving sending two groups off to work in two different places at the same time."
After a week off due to bad weather last Tuesday, the NCVs were back in action this week and Liz was weighing up the possibility of going down the 'Doing the splits' route. There were 400 trees that were in urgent need of planting at Low Laithe Mill Race and a further 225 at High Moor Barn, Timble. They had been sitting around the barn in plastic sacks for too long. This would mean that the vols would have to work very hard, and also travel between two sites, in order to keep transportation of resources more manageable. The question was - was it physically possible during the course of a normal working day? It would depend on how many of the gang came out to play.
The answer is 'of course!' And the photos below are proof of what can be achieved when everyone pulls their weight. The day began with 13 vols at Mill Race in Low Laithe....
By now it was 12:30. Time for lunch and then the 8 who could continue working, high tailed it to High Moor Barn where a narrow stretch of woodland needed planting. Few photos here - no time for photography!!! What the pictures do not convey is the desperately cold wind that gave everyone frostbite!
Make sure you read on to the end in order to see Barry Slaymaker's amusing report on the wallers' first aid refresher training!!
Additionally:
Last Thursday (29th January) some ROW work was done, alongside NY footpaths officer Adam. A little band of workers met him above the beautiful Eavestone Lake and made their way down to the lakeside footpath in order to clear overhanging vegetation. Here are a few pics to give a flavour of the morning's work....
Wallers' update 28th January 2026The freezing fog seemed to trail us up the Dale to Pateley where we were meeting as a team for coffee, the Old Granary Tea Shop receiving our custom as the Wildish website details of opening hours failed to accord with those on the door. Quickened breath from the steep climb to St Cuthbert’s Church condensed in small clouds as we gathered in the foyer, an ominous portent of an uncomfortable First Aid Workshop.
The presence of a Victorian oak funeral hand cart in the porch further dampened our mood, and we imagined how many of the heavier past residents would have travelled their final journey to less than respectful mutterings from the bearers who had to negotiate the exceptional gradient to the church. The sun had by this time broken through and shone brightly through the windows so we huddled in the unheated church in the hope of some solar gain.
Tracey did a valiant job of keeping us engaged through various emergency scenarios, and Kelly’s provisioning of hot drinks & biscuits stemmed the hypothermia as we sat in our coats, hats & gloves. Tracey’s props included a blanket that Rod & Andy shared as an added layer. A useful refresher course delivered informally and competently, inspiring confidence should we have to apply the knowledge.
Nithered by two hours of inactivity we were relieved to emerge into bright sunshine for the short journey to The Sportsman’s Arms where a log fire, fine ales, excellent food and warm conviviality restored us.
Thanks to Kelly for the tea and coffee, and to Tracey for holding our attention.
