Category: Updates

Eight of us braved the doubtful weather forecast today.   Five met at the Store, and given the forecast decided not to stray too far away in case we needed to abandon. We went up the Cobbled Path and round the perimeter of the Hall giving some TLC to the overhanging branches. We could see the rain coming in over Totley Moor which arrived around 11.15 am, which was our signal to finish.   The other three met in Hutcliffe Wood to finish consolidating the holly previously cut into brash piles.

There were twelve of the Monday Group members in total today, with eight meeting at the Store and four in Hutcliffe Wood.The eight split into 2 Groups : Two of them collected two timber sleepers – 4 foot long, from a house on Westwick Road – and left them outside the Store. We also cleared the Abbey Pond overflows which were blocked with fallen leaves and branches and trimmed a few small trees growing in the middle pond wall. When the weather improves more, we need to invert the Grille nearest the Abbey and possibly add some wide straining mesh

Nine workers met with one of the Rangers today and were given comprehensive training on how to use our new tools, safely and responsibly. The Alton Towers ‘Boat’ Most of you, at some time, will have been down to the Sheaf near Twentywell Lane, to clear the Himalayan Balsam and seen the ‘boat’ beached on the bank. In fact, last time we were there we had a Group Photo sitting in it. Late last year it had disappeared , now its new location can be revealed. Last week it was sighted once again, beached on the Sheaf’s bank , but

Eleven of us met in Hutcliffe Wood and, after discussion, decided the main priorities were to clear holly from around three mature yews and two young oaks. We succeeded in both and left the five trees to enjoy whatever nature decides to throw at them.   On our final visit to Hutcliffe Wood (Monday 26th) an area for clearance has been identified where we will assist the bluebells to flourish.

Thirteen willing workers met in a snow-free Hutcliffe Wood, to carry on the holly clearance, which began late last year. We are returning next week, but looking at the scale of the task, we may be going there more times than planned.

The ten that arrived today, were not put off by the freezing temperature, but were in dire need of a warming activity, so all went again to the Cobbled Path. Although we had given it a thorough Autumn clear up, the wind and the Golf Club leaf blower had covered it again. We left it totally clear, and many walkers made appreciative comments. Two of the Group did go up to the ‘Tudor’ Bench , behind the Deer Park, as it is looking rather ‘weathered’, but it was decided it had a few years left. The rogue plaque appears to

Thankfully, eleven stout Monday Group Members ignored the weather forecast and met at the Gorse Patch. The rain abated while we were gathering and we decided to carry on. After a couple of false starts, we got the bonfire going.  We burnt all the gorse, cut last week, and had our usual BYO Christmas gathering. A new pile of flat stones has appeared, piled neatly by the bench, which we assume are to be laid on the ground around it. But where, when and how did they get there? They were not there last Monday, can anyone solve the mystery?

Thirteen met at the Gorse Patch today, and cleared some of the gorse and the saplings growing through it.  We have new Power Tools recently purchased, which we will have chance to use in the New Year.  

The morning’s Weather was atrocious, so only the Hutcliffe Wood Group met. Six of us turned up at “The Monkey Bumps” halfway along the main track through Hutcliffe Wood. We were joined by Rangers, and, as the rain was less heavy than promised, we set about taking out as much male (non-berried) holly as possible. The Rangers had brought some sharp new knife-saws and loppers and showed us what holly to cut and where to cut it from. Most important was to pile the branches and saplings next to the track with cut end facing the track so it would

Thirteen of us met today The eight at the Gorse Patch met with Jon Dallow, to discuss the future of our work there. A separate report will be sent out once we have collated our thoughts on this very informative meeting. The remaining five worked on the length of Beauchief Abbey Drive: Trimmed and tidied the hedge a little in places Cleared leaves from the footpath Removed leaves, branches and accumulated mud from the gutters on both sides of the road, freeing up the grates and drains alongside the footpath to allow future rainfall to flow away easily. Many passers-by thanked