Clearing back Castle Hill

This week the TTF (Tuesday Task Force) were helping to clear back some of the vegetation on castle hill to help protect some of the archaeology on the site, this involved cutting down trees and removing them from the site, whilst managing traffic on the narrow country road.
(We also had help from a special new volunteer..Bailey the dog!)

Clearing Coppice Leasowes

This week the TTF (Tuesday Task Force) were working alongside some volunteers from the council to clear vegetation around the young trees. This was to help the trees in their early years of establishment and in the woodlands the brambles were cleared to help the Primroses to grow.
(Photos courtesy of Eric Brown).

Before

After

Cutting and splitting wood for the log boiler

The TTF (Tuesday Task Force) have recently been helping to cut and split wood from the log pile in the top car park. This supplies the log boiler which heats the tearoom, shop and office.

New fencing

This month we were at Asterton with the TTF (Tuesday Task Force) removing old rotten fence posts and replacing them with new ones. This was to make the field stock proof and secure.

TTF Invade Castle Hill

Today the Tuesday Task Force went to Castle Hill to remove Himalayan Balsom, its an invasive plant species that we've been getting rid of for years. Over that time the amount of balsom has cut down drastically, though there is a lot more work that needs to be done.

TTF take on Dr Motts

This Tuesday our Tuesday Task Force (TTF) went down Dr Motts road cleaning out drainage channels. It's important to keep these channels clear to keep water off the path which in turn prevents iceing over and erosion.

Rectory Wood Makeover

 Over the past couple of weeks the Tuesday Task Force have been going to Rectory Wood to help rebuild the paths and steps there. The wood is on the edge of National Trust land and belongs to the council, these days have been a part of an agreement between the National Trust and the council to help keep the woods looking their best. Before the TTF joined the effort the paths were eroding away making it more and more dangerous to travel along them.

TTF get splitting

 Last week Carding Mill Valley was provided with 21 tonnes of logs and 9 crates to stack wood in, so naturally we asked our lovely Tuesday Task Force to come and help us fill them up and they did not let us down. Including some of our old empty crates and the new ones the TTF managed to fill 11 crates in a mornings work, some were chainsawing, some were splitting and others stacking the logs in crates ready for the tractor to take them away. These logs come from our friends at Wenlock Edge and go into Carding Mill Valley's wood boiler, the tearoom fire and shop fire.

TTF head to Walcot

This week our Tuesday Task Force headed over to walcot to clear one of the hedgelines. With trees and brambles out of control and everywhere, it was a tough job but the volunteers made a huge improvement. With loppers, slashers and saws at the ready the majority of the hedgeline was cleared in no time and the brash made a lovely fire to keep everyone warm.

Heather Burning Continues

Heather burning continues on the Mynd with help from our Tuesday task force, six areas were burned in order to help the heather rejuvinate better and provide a varied habitat for the grouse.

Bracken

 Bracken cutting is going well with both tractor mowing and our Tuesday Task Force slashing; we will have it clear in no time.

 Recently Assistant Ranger Will has been mowing up near Minton and the Tuesday Task Force have been in Batch Valley.

Himalayan Balsam Pulling

The TTF found even more foxgloves when they went to Castle Hill to pull Himalayan Balsam. They made a huge impact, but as ever, there is still plenty left!

Bracken Bashing!

Rangers and TTF tried a new technique this morning for beating back bracken: beating it! They used bamboo canes to hit the top off young bracken shoots. This forces the plant to put more energy into growing than spreading, and although the area will need further bashing, it will hopefully have a significant impact on the bracken (and it was good for anger management too!)



Deconstructing Greenhouses

Some of the TTF helped deconstruct the greenhouses today. Almost all the glass was blown out by high winds during the storms, and it would cost too much to repair. We may possibly get a polytunnel as an alternative, as the tomatoes and other food grown in the greenhouses are always popular in the Tea Room!

TTF Work

TTF volunteers today covered the beds by the roof top terrace with gravel. The plants there include buddleia, lavender and rosemary, so expect lovely smells coming soon!

Meanwhile, other TTF volunteers were up the Burway, clearing out the passing places for summer traffic!

Tree Planting at Minton

The TTF and rangers headed out once again to struggle up the slopes to plant hawthorn trees. However, the weather this time was much kinder, and the views once the cloud lifted were stunning! The Long Mynd is a very special place to work, and its moments like these that you truly appreciate it!

Tree Planting at Callow

TTF and rangers braved the very wet conditions this morning to plant new hawthorn trees around Callow and in Grindle Hollow. The trees planted were to replace dead trees, and have been grown from seeds collected from the Long Mynd.

The trees were all planted in tree guards, to protect them from hungry sheep!

The work we do on the Long Mynd would not be possible without all our fantastic volunteers, so thank you all! 

Tree Planting at Hopesay

The TTF enjoyed beautiful sunshine today whilst planting trees at Hopesay. This was again replacing dead trees. All said they much preferred the weather today to last time, which included snow and sleet!

Hedge Planting

Today the TTF braved the blizzard like conditions to continue hedge planting. Some went to finish replacing the dead trees up in the Batch, with the rest going to do the hedgeline at the Wern. A good team effort saw both jobs completed despite the slippery conditions. 

Footpath Work

Rangers and members of the TTF were working on the footpath at Lightspout. The path is very waterlogged, causing people to walk in the vulnerable wet flush systems. The work done today is a temporary measure until the full work can be carried out, which will be partly funded by Shropshire County Council, as the path is a right of way.

Lots of drainage ditches were dug to allow water to drain off the path into the wet flush beside it. Erosion will likely fill these up very quickly, so they will need to be checked regularly.

Some ditches were dug alongside the path, to collect water along a longer stretch.

Everyone got very muddy, and one or two even fell over! Thankfully everyone made it back in one piece for a warm cup of tea.