A big turn out for Harrison's Rocks volunteer weekend (30th November & 1st December 2013)

After: The Path to the right of Isolated Slab and the new look for this area.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and effort for the second phase of the Harrison's woodland management plan at the weekend. Approximately 50 people turned up over the two days to contribute to the work, armed with wellies, shovels, wood saws, sandwiches and tea.

A happy team!

Working hard

This turn out seriously helps speed up the process as well as allowing additional and much needed area restoration and protection projects to take place which will immensely benefit climbers and walkers visiting the area.

The main area of work took place directly below Isolated Buttress. Revetment work to protect the soil on the banks from erosion took place as well as repairs to the warn paths and creating gullies to help with drainage. New logs were introduced to the area to create a small seating area under Isolate Buttress.

With the much needed removal of many trees in the area, some of the main work involved clearing felled trees and using the logs, branches and bracken to create path boundaries. Volunteers used 4x4 trucks to help move bigger logs around that had fallen into the land below. All surplus bracken was burnt in the huge bonfire, which was also useful for keeping warm whilst fueling up on lunch!

We look forward to seeing the results of the work and how the place will truly look this coming summer.

This work will help bring new life to the surrounding woodland as well as encouraging wildlife and bringing that all important light to the rocks.

  Above is a reminder of how the rock and surrounding woodland used to look. Although pretty in winter the leaves and shade is slowly preventing aspects of the rock from drying out.
The work is part of the ongoing Woodland Management Plan which each year brings a new phase that will always need volunteers.

There is much work to be done, but with good team work it can all get done. 

As well as bringing your own man / woman power and skills to the events you will also pick up new skills and be educated  into what goes into managing the area. 

Although there is much work to be done, volunteering  is both rewarding and enjoyable.