View allAll Photos Tagged MARYLAS
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles Day at Maulden Roundhouse Field 27/2/2018 TL0638 & specifically TL069384
Hi All,
Thanks to those who came down to Maulden Heath for the task today - it was certainly a cool one!
Despite the cold we achieved everything that I had hoped to and were able to beat an early retreat once the snow started.
Next week’s task is at Ampthill Park; meet in the West Car Park at 10am.
Thanks,
Tim
Tim Spencer
Countryside Ranger
The Greensand Trust
Hail Tim & Fellow Voles & Supporters
On Tuesday and in light of the weather prognosis I decided to risk yet another "late on parade" reprimand by starting at Maulden Church and enjoy a amble to the Roundhouse field where I found a merry band of Voles cutting Blackthorn regrowth on the path at the NE corner. In the distance I could hear mechanical noise and see wisps of smoke from a nascent bonfire. The Voles had already fully loaded a tarp ready to drag to the fire but I could get no willing helpers to assist me in that job so I sulked off to the other activities and helped Big Jim tidy away from the fence line a big pile of rotting pine trunks so that there was access for the Land Rover fencing team. There were also several newly felled conifers to dismember and clear away to the fire. Away round the rim of the field there were more felled trees of Oak and a Cherry and all through the day through blizzard and sunshine Voles staggered back and fro to the central fire and Jane's small team of stokers.
Obviously it was not just hard graft all day and in addition to the welcome jam and custard donuts we had the delightful jam scones lovingly prepared by Helen's Brownies to fend off the arctic conditions. with our first T Up call.
It was good to have with us our old mate Maryla for the morning and it was good to catch up.
Lunch break arrived just as the sky darkened and the the world resumed blizzard conditions from the gloom and snowflakes appeared an almost hysterical Erika (and Carolyn?) who was having the most fun ever almost cavorting around the bonfire and through snow flakes like something from "The Scottish Play". For some reason E wanted photographic evidence of the Voles madness and I hope we shall see our happy band on a screen near you very soon.
Just as quickly as the blizzard came the sky changed to a bright azure blue decorated with puffy nimbus but having almost finished most of the tasks set for the day orders were given to retreat and so I staggered my way back to Maulden Church past frozen ponds and paths feeling happy but properly exercised by saw, lopper and tarp, hopefully not painfully so.
See you next week and hopefully you will enjoy some of my snaps as usual at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/26651616618/in/datetaken/ and left clicks from there.
JP
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
Hi All,
Thanks to those who came down to the task at Sandy Smith yesterday; fortunately the weather was better than I had seen forecast!
It was a good task; it was nice to see so many of the tree we planted last year surviving and also to see more trees planted to reinforce them. The ditching crew also did a good job and Malcolm demonstrated that a little mud and water can go a long way!
There will be NO TASK next week because of Easter. After that normal service will be resumed with the ‘tartan mowing’ task at Maulden Heath on Tuesday 10th April; meet at the Picnic Area at 10am.
Have a nice Easter!
Tim
Tim Spencer
Countryside Ranger
The Greensand Trust
Malcolm J Willis
13:09 (11 minutes ago)
to Andrew, David, Wendy, daveathaynes, David, James, Steve, peter.staffert., Erika, Tim, dewinterann1, bazbreed, colinatkins23, DAVID, hgebler, janebreed, John, me, Maryla, Roger, Ros, grahamyoung1942, Tim.Chamen
So as we gathered together for morning prayers little did we expect the bombshell that was about to shatter our dreams and aspirations. Mr. T. spared nothing in blatantly announcing that we were only to work until lunchtime! This was to get us acclimatised to not working at all next week. Well, the little group of Dave’s cuddled together whimpering, holding hands, their little knees and chins quivering in the wind. Couldn’t we stay just a bit after lunch if we promised to be good and do what we were told. ‘No’ came the stern reply in Mr. T’s eyes. We could tidy up the two tree enclosures, plant another 20 trees, a few of us could play in the mud but then we would have to leave.
So we trudged off to woods. Mr. T’s heart softened a little and he let us form a ‘bucket line’ to take water from the ditch and fill a couple of large plastic Trugs so we could water in the 25 trees we were to plant. So we all got a chance to play in the water.
Three of us went off to clear another ditch of obstructions and see who could get the muddiest while the remainder cleared away the undergrowth that was overgrowing the fences and plant 15 trees in one and the remaining 15 in the other.
And so by lunchtime all 40 trees were planted and it was time to leave. The Moffatt tried to do a runner, taking a hand saw and disappearing along the bank in search of offending tree roots to remove but eventually he was called to heel. Mr. T. finally took pity on us and allowed us to take home a few logs to play with over the Easter break.
Many thanks to all who came, hope you get over the withdrawal symptoms and see you in two weeks time for some tartan mowing - och aye the g’nu.
And yes, Jackie did make me strip off on the patio before putting my clothes in the washing machine and hosing me down!
Malcolm
Admirable summary Mr W and cakes too were more than admirable even though I restrained myself from partaking in the fruit cake. (Mr T's donuts were also highly desirable) Hope you are feeling better and will soon regain your country seat.
It was good to have the great WC back with us again and Dave of the Arctic Lowe back from his Norwegian Saga.
Snaps are at usual place. www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/ and start at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/26181942417/ and left click all way to www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/40344026944/
See you on 10th April for Tartan Mowing.
Cheers
JP
Hi All,
Thanks to those who came down to the task at Sandy Smith yesterday; fortunately the weather was better than I had seen forecast!
It was a good task; it was nice to see so many of the tree we planted last year surviving and also to see more trees planted to reinforce them. The ditching crew also did a good job and Malcolm demonstrated that a little mud and water can go a long way!
There will be NO TASK next week because of Easter. After that normal service will be resumed with the ‘tartan mowing’ task at Maulden Heath on Tuesday 10th April; meet at the Picnic Area at 10am.
Have a nice Easter!
Tim
Tim Spencer
Countryside Ranger
The Greensand Trust
Malcolm J Willis
13:09 (11 minutes ago)
to Andrew, David, Wendy, daveathaynes, David, James, Steve, peter.staffert., Erika, Tim, dewinterann1, bazbreed, colinatkins23, DAVID, hgebler, janebreed, John, me, Maryla, Roger, Ros, grahamyoung1942, Tim.Chamen
So as we gathered together for morning prayers little did we expect the bombshell that was about to shatter our dreams and aspirations. Mr. T. spared nothing in blatantly announcing that we were only to work until lunchtime! This was to get us acclimatised to not working at all next week. Well, the little group of Dave’s cuddled together whimpering, holding hands, their little knees and chins quivering in the wind. Couldn’t we stay just a bit after lunch if we promised to be good and do what we were told. ‘No’ came the stern reply in Mr. T’s eyes. We could tidy up the two tree enclosures, plant another 20 trees, a few of us could play in the mud but then we would have to leave.
So we trudged off to woods. Mr. T’s heart softened a little and he let us form a ‘bucket line’ to take water from the ditch and fill a couple of large plastic Trugs so we could water in the 25 trees we were to plant. So we all got a chance to play in the water.
Three of us went off to clear another ditch of obstructions and see who could get the muddiest while the remainder cleared away the undergrowth that was overgrowing the fences and plant 15 trees in one and the remaining 15 in the other.
And so by lunchtime all 40 trees were planted and it was time to leave. The Moffatt tried to do a runner, taking a hand saw and disappearing along the bank in search of offending tree roots to remove but eventually he was called to heel. Mr. T. finally took pity on us and allowed us to take home a few logs to play with over the Easter break.
Many thanks to all who came, hope you get over the withdrawal symptoms and see you in two weeks time for some tartan mowing - och aye the g’nu.
And yes, Jackie did make me strip off on the patio before putting my clothes in the washing machine and hosing me down!
Malcolm
Admirable summary Mr W and cakes too were more than admirable even though I restrained myself from partaking in the fruit cake. (Mr T's donuts were also highly desirable) Hope you are feeling better and will soon regain your country seat.
It was good to have the great WC back with us again and Dave of the Arctic Lowe back from his Norwegian Saga.
Snaps are at usual place. www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/ and start at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/26181942417/ and left click all way to www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/40344026944/
See you on 10th April for Tartan Mowing.
Cheers
JP
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST day at Segenhoe Old Church SP980357 16/6/2015
Hello fellow Voles.
It is ages since I last put together a few words about our Tuesdays so please accept my ever-so humble apologies.
Well this Tuesday was as perfect a day as a Vole could wish for, even though there were no ponds our puddles. The sun shone, the breeze dropped, some kind soul had strimmed a place to park on the lane and the mower continued working all day. (Sadly that didn't seem to be the case with the brush cutters).
We were at one of our all time favourite sites, Segenhoe Old Church, to do the (annual?) grass cut and stack. It was a pretty comprehensive turn out excluding our horse wrangler and a few folks on holiday or something. We were graced by a succession of visitors as well and TWF and Audrey arrived to take their usual place in the shade under the Sycamore Tree by the main gate, from where we had the luxury of on-site tea service, very much appreciated when we could take no more raking and stacking in the baking sun. Maryla and Charli brought their cheery version of sunshine during the morning and Steve Squire arrived dead on tea call time.
Stavros was allowed to get behind the mower again after many years absence and he did a formidable job all day, hidden under his Ghurka hat and dark shades.
There is not much else to say really. The Blueberry buns from Jock & Malcolm were excellent, the two packs of mini choc donuts brought by John F vanished quickly but we missed the Pimms Hotrod had promised to bring along to finish a hard days slog. Hopefully all the Ridgmont parishioners will appreciate the neat and tidy job we have done and all those toads we revealed as we moved the grass etc found safe homes afterwards.
Despite the sunshine and loads of flowerheads on the Hogweed the wildlife was a bit thin on the ground this time.
Well I must fly or something.
Hopefully you will enjoy at least one of my snaps.
Cheers
JP
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST day at Dawson Wam, Flitwick Moor pulling the last remnants of Himalayan Balsam 15/7/2014.
St Swithun's day survived without a drop of wet stuff (except in the River Flit) so hopefully all our Tuesdays thru to September will be dry!
Here are a few snaps from the day and as usual all are now on flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The moth Malcolm found in the tea tray was a Large Emerald (Geometra papilionaria).
Unfortunately I was a little late arriving but conveniently it allowed me to help Mr B set up and later set down (pack up). Maryla was even later but it was good to see you to catch up.
Although you may not believe I did pull an armful of HB whilst hunting bugs in the Phragmites, Stinging Nettles and Comfrey but I didn't ever find a Vole working anywhere so no action snaps!
Thanks go to Malcolm for excellent cherry buns. I shared mine with Jock who seemed to have a magnetic attraction to them and gazed at me until I relented.
Thanks too to Mr B for another successful hotpot and very enjoyable Rhubarb & custard coldpot. I hope Audrey enjoyed the Lavender fields and a good cup of tea at Hitchin.
Finally good news. My very kind neighbour and retired vet has found some venison and pheasant in his freezer so in due course I shall pass it on to Mr B for our future delectation.
Have a good week.
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
GST Voles Day at Maulden Roundhouse Field 27/2/2018 TL0638 & specifically TL069384
Hi All,
Thanks to those who came down to Maulden Heath for the task today - it was certainly a cool one!
Despite the cold we achieved everything that I had hoped to and were able to beat an early retreat once the snow started.
Next week’s task is at Ampthill Park; meet in the West Car Park at 10am.
Thanks,
Tim
Tim Spencer
Countryside Ranger
The Greensand Trust
Hail Tim & Fellow Voles & Supporters
On Tuesday and in light of the weather prognosis I decided to risk yet another "late on parade" reprimand by starting at Maulden Church and enjoy a amble to the Roundhouse field where I found a merry band of Voles cutting Blackthorn regrowth on the path at the NE corner. In the distance I could hear mechanical noise and see wisps of smoke from a nascent bonfire. The Voles had already fully loaded a tarp ready to drag to the fire but I could get no willing helpers to assist me in that job so I sulked off to the other activities and helped Big Jim tidy away from the fence line a big pile of rotting pine trunks so that there was access for the Land Rover fencing team. There were also several newly felled conifers to dismember and clear away to the fire. Away round the rim of the field there were more felled trees of Oak and a Cherry and all through the day through blizzard and sunshine Voles staggered back and fro to the central fire and Jane's small team of stokers.
Obviously it was not just hard graft all day and in addition to the welcome jam and custard donuts we had the delightful jam scones lovingly prepared by Helen's Brownies to fend off the arctic conditions. with our first T Up call.
It was good to have with us our old mate Maryla for the morning and it was good to catch up.
Lunch break arrived just as the sky darkened and the the world resumed blizzard conditions from the gloom and snowflakes appeared an almost hysterical Erika (and Carolyn?) who was having the most fun ever almost cavorting around the bonfire and through snow flakes like something from "The Scottish Play". For some reason E wanted photographic evidence of the Voles madness and I hope we shall see our happy band on a screen near you very soon.
Just as quickly as the blizzard came the sky changed to a bright azure blue decorated with puffy nimbus but having almost finished most of the tasks set for the day orders were given to retreat and so I staggered my way back to Maulden Church past frozen ponds and paths feeling happy but properly exercised by saw, lopper and tarp, hopefully not painfully so.
See you next week and hopefully you will enjoy some of my snaps as usual at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/26651616618/in/datetaken/ and left clicks from there.
JP
GST day at Segenhoe Old Church SP980357 16/6/2015
Hello fellow Voles.
It is ages since I last put together a few words about our Tuesdays so please accept my ever-so humble apologies.
Well this Tuesday was as perfect a day as a Vole could wish for, even though there were no ponds our puddles. The sun shone, the breeze dropped, some kind soul had strimmed a place to park on the lane and the mower continued working all day. (Sadly that didn't seem to be the case with the brush cutters).
We were at one of our all time favourite sites, Segenhoe Old Church, to do the (annual?) grass cut and stack. It was a pretty comprehensive turn out excluding our horse wrangler and a few folks on holiday or something. We were graced by a succession of visitors as well and TWF and Audrey arrived to take their usual place in the shade under the Sycamore Tree by the main gate, from where we had the luxury of on-site tea service, very much appreciated when we could take no more raking and stacking in the baking sun. Maryla and Charli brought their cheery version of sunshine during the morning and Steve Squire arrived dead on tea call time.
Stavros was allowed to get behind the mower again after many years absence and he did a formidable job all day, hidden under his Ghurka hat and dark shades.
There is not much else to say really. The Blueberry buns from Jock & Malcolm were excellent, the two packs of mini choc donuts brought by John F vanished quickly but we missed the Pimms Hotrod had promised to bring along to finish a hard days slog. Hopefully all the Ridgmont parishioners will appreciate the neat and tidy job we have done and all those toads we revealed as we moved the grass etc found safe homes afterwards.
Despite the sunshine and loads of flowerheads on the Hogweed the wildlife was a bit thin on the ground this time.
Well I must fly or something.
Hopefully you will enjoy at least one of my snaps.
Cheers
JP
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
Hi All
Late again with my report, as I was this Tuesday. Cannot get the hang of getting my act together this year, must be the cold my youngest grandson gave us the weekend before Christmas! I know that I am not alone here but hopefully things will get back to a normality soon.
Well having said that Tuesday was like a Spring day, mild, still and occasionally sunny when that cosmic observer was not obscured by the smoke and flames rising upward from the valley floor as more gorse, blackthorn and broom were added to the pyre of 2012. Fire raising was the most popular job of the day but quite a lot of post festivity energy was unleashed on dragging material to the fire from where it was stacked before or had been newly cut on top of the ridge to create a cleared space along the perimeter barbed wire fence by the furious hacking and sawing brigade.
The highlights of the day, apart from the appeasing of the ancient fire gods, was the cutting of Jim's New Year 2013 cake, complete with decoration and celebratory squib, various pieces of Stollen cake from Maryla (homemade) and me (Mr Tesco) and of course yet more vanilla and sultana buns from Mr W. Add to this Mr B's Bambi hotpot and Audrey's badger sponge and custard. We are clearly set up for the rest of this week and so should be fighting fit for the next GST extravaganza wherever it may be.
Very little wildlife about, some nice lichen of course and the odd bit of fungi, oh and some mysterious holes clearly made by some wee beastie. Answers on the hole mystery gratefully received please. My guess is some form of dung beetle?
All the best for 2013.
JP
GST Voles day at Flitton Moor 20/12/2016
Hi Folks & Tim
What a fine end to GSTVoles 2016. A beautiful sunny still day with lots of exciting tasks like nettle digging, brash dragging etc. At least some of us enjoyed doing their favourite thing burning, burning, burning & more burning. There was a bit of furniture removal & re siting and probably other tasks I failed to hear about as a result of yet another late arrival. Later in the day we had the opportunity of seeing Community Tree Trust volunteers in action gathering seed for the Kew Millenium Seedbank.
My favourite bit, not counting my burger and Christmas cake at lunchtime, was playing poo sticks with Maureen's 2.5 year old grand child on the bridge over the Flit. Thank us go to Liz Millbank for providing some delicate but tasty biscuits for tea, an amazing iced Christmas cake from Jackie & Malcolm, another to Malcolm for his mystery santa delivery for all the Voles far to kind but truly starting us all in the Christmas Spirit (some of the Voles were heard to say that this was so kind as it had saved them from getting their spouse a gift and furthermore they were already wrapped), to Jim, Tim & Sue for organising the BBQ between them and everybody else just for being there.
It was good to have Maryla with us after so long and several honoured GST hob nobs like Jon Baalam, Sarah P, Ray of sunshine Raven, John & Deano to share our seasonal outburst. We should not forget our sweet and gentle Sedgers and his band of local henchmen who all seemed to fit in well, particularly in the scrum for Malcolm's cake.
So ends 2016, particularly sad after the loss of our stalwart TWF John Buxton last week, I am sure his spirit will live in every wild space and watery pool along the Greensand Ridge but as he would have told you go and get on with things, keep slashing & burning but don't forget the teabags.
Have a great Christmas fellow Voles everywhere and the same goes for management, past as well as present. I am looking forward to 2017 already.
Oh & snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
The Venerable pitzy
Hi All
Late again with my report, as I was this Tuesday. Cannot get the hang of getting my act together this year, must be the cold my youngest grandson gave us the weekend before Christmas! I know that I am not alone here but hopefully things will get back to a normality soon.
Well having said that Tuesday was like a Spring day, mild, still and occasionally sunny when that cosmic observer was not obscured by the smoke and flames rising upward from the valley floor as more gorse, blackthorn and broom were added to the pyre of 2012. Fire raising was the most popular job of the day but quite a lot of post festivity energy was unleashed on dragging material to the fire from where it was stacked before or had been newly cut on top of the ridge to create a cleared space along the perimeter barbed wire fence by the furious hacking and sawing brigade.
The highlights of the day, apart from the appeasing of the ancient fire gods, was the cutting of Jim's New Year 2013 cake, complete with decoration and celebratory squib, various pieces of Stollen cake from Maryla (homemade) and me (Mr Tesco) and of course yet more vanilla and sultana buns from Mr W. Add to this Mr B's Bambi hotpot and Audrey's badger sponge and custard. We are clearly set up for the rest of this week and so should be fighting fit for the next GST extravaganza wherever it may be.
Very little wildlife about, some nice lichen of course and the odd bit of fungi, oh and some mysterious holes clearly made by some wee beastie. Answers on the hole mystery gratefully received please. My guess is some form of dung beetle?
All the best for 2013.
JP
GST day at Flitton Moor removing Himalayan Balsam 18/7/2017 TL0536
Subject: Next Tuesday's Task
Hi All,
I hope you’ve all stopped itching from the nettle stings on Tuesday!
Next Week’s task will be balsam pulling downstream from Flitton Moor and will be led by Andrew (his last day). The site is accessible from Flitton Moor, so meet at the barn at Flitton Moor at 10am (map attached).
The good news is that there are nowhere near as many nettles as at Sandy Smith but there is plenty of balsam and it’s along steep-sided river/ditch banks and the only way to deal with it will be to get in! Fortunately, the water doesn’t look too deep!
Andrew will bring waders to the task but it might be a good idea if everyone could bring wellies – there might be some areas where wellies might be better than cumbersome waders.
There will also be some brush-cutting.
Regards,
Tim
Hello balsam pullers
A thank you from us to whoever removed the doggy doo doo bag on our behalf. We lost track of it when the bags were moved downstream and then forgot to look for it as we left. It wasn't there when Baz went back for it this evening so we must presume a kindly soul disposed of it on our behalf.
The list of emails above is a bit thin - people certainly on task but we don't have emails for them all, e.g. Barbara & Derek. Please forward to anyone you see is missing from our list.
See you soon
Jane & Baz (irresponsible dog minders)
Hi Jane & Baz & fellow Voles
Lola's bag was there when I came back to get my water/tea.
Anyway what a day, even though the gang finished earlier than usual it was just as well. It was boiling hot and very sticky. You were all a bit smelly too but you were magnificent in victory. I shall not forget Jim's giant leap and wrestle with several big stands of HB across a ditch filled mainly with un-fathomed amounts of ooze covered by a layer of Equisetum (Horsetail) or hearing about Jim's vanishing into another pool where they had to call the RNLI to drag him ashore. Or the happy look on Merv's face relating the joy of submerging into the same primordiall ooze or Dave & others who gallantly waded from Flitton Bridge toend of the track. Then there was Maryla, determined to get her full wack of HB in the 1&1/2 hours available to he, roped on a very steep bank grabbing each plant with a wicked glee, take that you naughty naughty HB you. Well you get my drift, the Voles were down and dirty but unbowed.
A bit of the atmosphere in my snaps at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/
Sadly we had to say farewell to Andrew who has moved on to pastures drier than Flitton Moor.
Take care & see you next week?
JP (Pitzy)