Clearance of small trees in readiness for the major program of woodland management planned for Harrisons Rocks over the next five years.
Ladies and Gentlemen - herewith details of the clearance work at Harrisons Rocks.
Dates:
Saturday 16th January 2010 - meet in the car park at 09:00
Sunday 24th January 2010 - meet in the car park 09:00
Purpose:
The Harrisons Rocks Management Group (HRMG) has produced a plan to manage the tree cover (mainly) on the slopes below the rocks.
The woodland has been divided into 5 areas plus a corridor immediately below the rocks and it is here that our work begins, removing saplings in readiness for the major work once we have the necessary permission to carry out a five year woodland management plan.
The work:
The trees to be removed will be marked. It is important that we do not remove trees above a certain thickness/diameter before we have permission to do so.
Some of the thicker trees will be felled the day before (Friday 15th Jan) and another aspect of the work will be cutting the arisings up and transporting them to where they are required. We will use the cuttings for footpath management - nothing is wasted!
There is also an area of cut Rhododendron under the Unclimbed Wall area that needs to be removed and transported to an area ready for burning.
What do you need? (Clearly you don't need all of these - but here are a few suggestions)...
You don't actually need to bring anything - except yourselves!
A bowsaw is a very useful tool for this type of work.
A pruning saw may also be useful
Long handled pruners may also be of use.
A wheelbarrow for transporting arisings
You'll need old clothes and bear in mind it may well be cold and/or wet so boots are a good idea.
Gardening gloves to protect your hands.
A packed lunch!
Please let me know via my profile if you can come along so that I have an idea of numbers but please don't let that stop you from just turning up - everyone is welcome.
This is your chance to put something back into Harrisons and really improve conditions there as they've been steadily declining over the years due to increasing tree cover. The picture of Johnny Lees on Moonlight Arête on the back of the 1963 guide gives some idea of how open Harrisons used to be http://www.sandrock.org.uk/Climbingpages/Sandstone/Sandstoneguides.htm
Any questions, please ask but most importantly, please come out and help.
Many thanks,
Graham Adcock.
SVG Volunteer Co-ordinator.
SVG website: http://www.sandstonevolunteers.nildram.co.uk/