New signs in Carding Mill Valley

Last week, 3 new trail-head signs were installed throughout the valley. Members of the TTF spent Tuesday digging the holes before Richard Channing from Dudmaston came over to help assemble the first sign. They were built by Richard, using Oak sourced from the Dudmaston estate. The rangers then put up the remaining two signs during the rest of the week. The trail-head signs feature a map of the Long Mynd with the three walking routes to the reservoir, waterfall and on top of the hill highlighted. Underneath the map there are 4 leaflet dispensers with the orange, red and pink walks, and the newly launched activity trail which includes the bird hide, rope pull and iron age fort. In addition to these signs, new finger posts will be put up soon, directing visitors to Church Stretton, the Tea Room and the waterfall amongst others.

TTF digging the holes for the signs to drop in to.

Dave and John assembling the signs



Finishing off the sign situated just before the Pavilion.



Sign in the top car park.

Sign at bottom of valley with new leaflets.

Tractor and Tom pulling out the old signs.

The three metal signs that were situated up the valley have now been pulled out with the help of the tractor, and one of the new Placement Volunteer Rangers, Tom Llewellyn. Kate Price is the other new Placement Volunteer Ranger, and  along with Tom they will replace Matt and Rose.

Iron Age Fort

The natural play trail running through the valley is now complete, with the iron age fort being built this last week. It is composed of 86 posts in a circle, and is located by the second pool on the way to reservoir. Previously there was a mound of excavated material from the building of the pool that had grassed over, and so with the help of contractor Mark Farmer and his mini digger this was levelled off. Using the primitive method of string tied to a post in the middle, a circle was marked out. Sections of trench were then dug out  with the digger (exactly how it the original would have been built!) and the 7ft posts were tapped in to leave 4ft above ground. Baton was screwed on to secure posts together and then the soil was back filled in. The fort replicates that of one which would have been on Bodbury Hill, and is an ideal place for kids to come and have a play, alongside the bird hide, rope pull, bridges and den building. This week, sign boards should be installed throughout the valley showing the play trail.

Mark Farmer levelling the top.

Circle marked and a section of trench dug.

First section of posts in.

Volunteers John and Richard tap posts in.

John securing top with temporary baton.

More trench being dug, and posts backfilled in.

Fort located by second pool, with views to the site of old fort on top of Bodbury.

Play at CMV!

The Natural Play trail is up and running and is proving popular. The bird hide is getting lots of use, and many birds have been recorded on the whiteboard. The rope pull is also open for use and school groups have been having fun pulling themselves up the bank. There is also material for den building up in the woods behind the reservoir, and the now fast flowing stream can be crossed with ease by the use of the three new bridges. Soon there will be a leaflet with the mapped trail, but until then feel free to come and have a play in the valley.

Bird Hide

Whilst digging the foundation holes for the bird hide we unfortunately hit solid bed rock so had to hire a hydraulic breaker to reach the required depth, which in the end was 80cm. The frame could then be erected, and initially the 6 main uprights went in, followed by the supporting struts. Larch and Douglas Fir cladding was nailed on around, and a bench and shelf were installed. To get the right height for the viewing hole, a passing family were used to test it out. Green roof tin was then screwed onto the roof to complete the job. Bird feeders will be hung to attract more birds in.



Hydraulic Breaker used to get the right depth.


The Shropshire Star came out to photo the building of the hide, and will run another story soon with Steve Matthews of Darwin Matthews Solicitors of Shrewsbury who kindly donated the money for the hide. 



Finishing off the cladding



Passing family used to decide on height of viewing hole.





   



Frame erected and on the look out for birds

 





Last section of roof sheet being secured.

 



The fence surrounding the woodland is also in the process of being re-done, and the new gate has been hung. Another bridge has been built to allow people to get from the road, across the two streams and into the woodland.

 

Testing the Maximum load weight of the new bridge.

 

Gate hung.



 

Rose learns from the master.









Completed Bridge, Hide and Gate.

 

Play at Carding Mill Valley

Work has begun in the Education Woodland, which is located by the entrance to the top car park, to help create the Trust's 2012 vision of play. Around 50% of the trees were felled which will reduce the competition and allow the remaining trees to prosper. It has also opened up the area so that children and adults can view birds from the hide that will be built at the base of the woodland in the spring, using wood sourced from Wenlock Edge. Other plans for 2012 are rope bridges and willow structures which will form part of an adventure trail that will run up the lower valley.



Felling of the education woodland