Nought Moor and Laver Banks: 15th and 21nd September

Liz cracks the whip

The blog editor may have been otherwise engaged for two Tuesdays on the run, but Liz cracked the whip nevertheless and the NCVs were put to work in two locations doing two similar jobs.

On Tuesday 15th September they were high up above Pateley Bridge  on Nought moor, back on the job of removing encroaching birch from the SSI moorland. As you can see - they made a difference to the area.

The lake in the car park

was an indication that the heat 

waves were long gone.

Yes - definitely a hair cut needed!

At lunchtime Liz found that her 

sandwich filling had been pinched.

Where have all those 

birch trees gone?

Into this high quality brash pile!

Yesterday (21st September) ... (From Osian)

On a very warm and sweaty day 9 intrepid NCVs ventured deep down into the woods at Laver Banks for a day's coppicing. 

The goal for the day was to remove mainly new hazel growth so that walkers and horse riders could enjoy the views of the historic Fountains Abbey estate stone bridge. 

Trust me - it's there!

By coffeetime the first hint of the bridge view started to appear above a habitat pile that was taller than Dawn.

The break was enjoyed in the sun for some, or in the shade for those already too hot from their labours. Veteran NCV Graham made an appearance on his 85th birthday and brought cake to celebrate.

Thank you Graham - and a VERY HAPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

By lunchtime the team had coppiced away a great view of the bridge. All that was then needed was a short stint to clear the river of some trees that had been felled by the landowner's woodman.

Hot and bothered the NCVs called it a day and set off home. They will return in the near future for more coppicing in this area. The birthday boy and a couple of others enjoyed a chauffeured return to their cars, Graham giving a royal wave to the camera as they drove past!!

And finally.....

A Wallers' Update 

- by Graham

Another nearly excellent day at Breaks Fold Farm with just a couple of light showers. With only another week to go before we go to pastures new, another gap was tackled. This took us to a dilapidated wall on the right, a marker which at the start of this year's programme seemed a long way away. By the end of next week, we will have completed  a rebuild of some 65 yards of wall over a period of twelve visits. 

This week we had five of us. Barry and Rob were continuing on "Barry's extended gap.

 Rob tackles Barry's extended gap...

...and Barry helped from the other side.

Ready for completion next week

Meanwhile Rod, Dave and Graham set about dismantling another six or seven yards of wall.  Fortunately over the last couple of weeks , some of the existing wall has been retained to varying degrees and Graham was able to rebuild on a decent base. Rod and Dave, however, were down in the mud undertaking a complete rebuild from foundations up. 

Rod and Dave getting dirty in the foundations.

And some very sound foundations they were.

By going home time, 

Rod and Dave half rebuilt 

a half decent wall

With his section of wall rebuilt as far as possible, Graham spent the afternoon tidying the stone on his side of the wall, ready for moving on next week.