November Worky Day

There was a fantastic turnout for the weekend work party on Saturday. The weather wasn't as bad as the forecast predicted and there was even a rainbow for the lunch time group photo.

There was plenty of work to do clearing the coppiced willow. Although it looks dramatic all of the willow trees will grow back with vigour and will live for longer as a result.

In the morning, there were mountains of brash to be cut up into smaller pieces using loppers and hand saws. 

Most of the willow had been coppiced (cut to ground level) but some of the larger trees were pollarded (cut to head height). By this time next year there will be several feet of new growth.

Smaller branches were put through a woodchipper and the chippings will be used on some of the footpaths around the reserve.

Larger logs were put to one side; hefty work!

As the saying goes 'many hands make light work' and it wasn't long before the brash was cleared away. A hearty lunch of 'range stew and dumplings' fuelled the team for the afternoon.

Work in this area will be continuing over the coming weeks so if you have a use for any birch or willow then please get in touch with the Reserve Managers. 

A lot of hard work goes into the preparation of these practical days from ordering food and baking cakes to counting out tools and washing up at the end of the day.

Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who ensured that it ran smoothly and to everyone who joined in to help manage this important habitat.