Those of us awake during the night of Saturday 2 December wondered what on
earth our task would be like. The wind howled, rain beat against the windows –
not ideal conditions for working in a wood and felling small trees. But by 7am
the rain had stopped, the wind had died down a bit and, by the time we got to Thurlby Wood, near Gainsborough, the sun was shining. What a difference!
Our work for the day was to clear a winding path through part of this ancient
100-acre wood. John, the owner, had marked out the path and worked with us
during the day. The aim was to provide an interesting walk (hence the meandering
nature of the path), easier access to the wood in order to manage it
effectively, and a more open habitat to encourage different plants and wildlife.
We had an excellent turnout – 18 of us – which was good news as there was plenty to do and it was one of our occasional paid workdays, which we rely on to raise funds for tools, insurance, etc. And, as we were working well within the wood, we were sheltered from the breezy wind which continued all day.
We cut our way along the path, felling saplings and cutting back branches,
and put the cut wood into habitat piles which will provide cover for roosting
birds, and a home for a whole host of insects as the wood rots down.
So after a less than promising start to the day, the weather was fine, the wood was a lovely place to work, and we completed all that had been asked of us.
Jude