Category: Updates

Seven met this morning to continue work on the dry stone wall in the corner of the deer park. We continued to dismantle the loose section to ground level before re building from foundation level.

On a fine, dry and sunny Morning nine of us met at the Barn. Five went to the middle Abbey Pond, where we cleared both outflows, gave the hedge its annual trim and cleared the area of litter. Sighting – a Kingfisher was seen twice flying across the pond around 11.00 am.    The other four of us set about stripping out the section of tumbled wall at the corner of the Deer Park nearest Ladies Spring Wood.  The Hall groundsman came along to help us build a barrier (to prevent escapes and protect us from the stags as rutting

Finally, the weather allowed us to meet today, with 12 mustering at the Barn. We decided the work in the Nature Park, and in particular the new Pond, needed more guidance, particularly in light of recent observations by the Council Ranger. We shall request a meeting at his convenience. One member initially went up to Stonecross Field to plant some meadowsweet by the scrape, a plant that enjoys wet and boggy conditions. Permission had been granted beforehand.  He then joined the rest of us, by the White Steps, where we used the fine surfacing material to fill in the areas

Eight of the Group worked today. Five members met at the top of Beauchief Drive to continue the work on the radio mast started last week.  This was achieved by 11.15 am and the site tidied up for an early finish. The other three spent an “archeological” morning on Beauchief Hall’s Fir Walk Promenade Steps. Clearing the debris revealed the structure (though we’d like to see a photo of what they once looked like, if anyone has one!) and how we’d best go about a restoration project. The steps at the corner of Beauchief Hall deer park within High Wood (therefore

Seven of us met at Wayside, to assist in the dismantling of a 60-foot radio mast. After much head scratching, Brain and brawn combined to dismantle the three sections and safely store them away. The stanchion holding it up was next and the method, quickly worked out, proved very slow and at 1.00 pm it was decided to call it a day.

Some would recognise today as our first Autumn meeting, and fog early doors made it seem very autumnal on the walk down. Eleven of us turned up today and three tasks were accomplished. A fallen tree had been reported obstructing the footpath behind the Hall and Deer Park. A group went up there and removed it, using much of what we cut to strengthen the ‘rustic edging’ to the snowdrop/daffodil walk. Another group met at a member’s house and sorted through the wood on his Land, before transporting a load to the Nature Park, where we have stored it under

Eleven met in Old Park Wood, after Tom had requested our help with an illegal bike track that had been constructed. We levelled all the bumps, filled all the holes, dug up and flattened the two ‘launch points’ and created natural barriers to stop the use. Two of our Group use the area for dog walking and will keep an eye on the situation. Litter picking was resumed today after a number of weeks missed. Beauchief Abbey Lane and Drive was fairly clear, but lots of bottles and cans were found around the Abbey Ponds

Eight Monday Group members turned up today Five went to Stone Cross Field and cleared around the whips , giving space between the thick grass and associated growth. We did struggle with the ones at the side running parallel with the Drive as they were covered by thick [lethal] brambles and nettles but we could see they were thriving despite this. We also cleared the ‘Plantation’ area of many dried docks, leaving it still looking natural, but dock free.  We had a break at 11.00 am, just as the heavens opened, but sitting on the South Bench under the tree

Thirteen in all attended today. Five of the bench building team worked up at Stone Cross Field to repair the damage to the east and west benches caused by vandals during the weekend. The damage wasn’t too bad and was soon repaired. They then completed the benches to coverband, and finally added and cemented in the top stones. The four benches are now all complete providing seating around the sycamore tree to the north, south, east and west. We received many compliments and thanks from dog walkers. Eight went to the Nature Park and trimmed around the fruit trees in

Fourteen of the Group arrived today We began by welcoming a new member, who went with nine others to Carole’s Copse. Where we trimmed around the saplings and cleared much of the encroaching bracken. We need to return to finish the bracken clearance and attack the brambles at the top. The Bench Team were up at Stone Cross Field, where four of them made somewhat slower progress this morning on the E and W benches. They are trickier being on sloping ground. Nevertheless, with one more layer we’ll be at coverband level – ready for the top slabs. 

Fourteen today, with ten turning up at the Hamlet and four at Stone Cross Field. The four of us at Stone Cross Field moved all the stored stone from Wayside to Stone Cross Field and continued building E and W benches. At the Hamlet, three went to the Dam area and cleared Himalayan Balsam, while the others finished clearing the paving and cobbled area by the Manager’s House. The ‘grassy’ area in the photo is how it all looked two weeks ago (also see photo from last week). We have now made a feature of the cobbles. There is still