Erddig

The weather forecast for the weekend was for a very cold wind and plummeting temperatures. However, the sun shone and we were sheltered from any cold winds, which all added to this very enjoyable weekend.

*Tasks undertaken.*
On the Dunham Massey estate there are a number of wooded areas that have to be maintained and preserved in order to keep the original character of the estate. For this weekend we were going to be working in the Whiteoaks wood on the estate, clearing Rhododendron.
	The Oak trees in this wood are all about 100 years old and it is important to plant new trees in order to maintain the wood in the long term. About 80 years ago Rhododendron bushes were introduced into this woodland, but the invasive nature of these plants has meant that they have covered large areas which need to be cleared so that the young Oak trees can be planted, to replenish the tree stock.
Rhododendron plants also have the effect of "poisoning" the soil so that other plants struggle to grow amongst them and even after an area has been cleared it is usual not to replant an area for at least two years in order for the soil to be "cleansed". Further information about "Rhododendron - A Killer of the Countryside".
	The group were split into two teams which worked towards each other in a pincer movement to clear one area of the woodland. Each team had it's own bonfire and as the Rhododendron bushes were cut down they were brought to the fires and burnt. Bush saws and loppers were sufficient for most of the bushes, but the Warden had to chain saw some of the larger pieces.
Wherever possible the roots were pulled or dug up with the plants so that the plants would not regrow. There was a lot of work to do, but as the day progressed it was satisfying to see the sun shining through the trees in the areas that had been cleared. On the way back to the basecamp the Warden had arranged for us to visit the gardens of Dunham Massey.
	A feature of this whole weekend was the cooking. A superb menu had been prepared and every meal was thoroughly enjoyed by everybody. The home made soups were a delight and even with all the hard work undertaken with the Rhododendron I expect that everybody still put on a few pounds of weight over the weekend.
As the basecamp is only a few yards from the local pub (The Swan with Two Nicks) it was slightly inevitable that the group would end up in this hostelry. On the Saturday evening the group also visited the other local pub (The Stamford Arms) so as not to show any favouritism. (According to CAMRA they are both owned by the same landlord.)
	On our return to the worksite on the Sunday morning it was only a small effort to rekindle the glowing embers of the fires to start the whole "slash and burn" process all over again. As the day progressed the two teams met in the middle to complete the clearing and everybody was pleased with the progress that had been made over the two days.
To complete a very enjoyable weekend the Warden had arranged for the group to visit the Dunham Massey house. It is a fascinating house that has been preserved in an excellent condition. The tour around the house and kitchens was rounded off with a visit to the Tearooms for a well earned cup of Tea!

"Rhodi Bashing" is not always the most glamorous of tasks for volunteers, but over this weekend it seemed very satisfying and enjoyable. The group worked very well together and were very well fed and organised.

The mix of a great group, a comfortable basecamp and an excellent estate made this a memorable weekend.

Dunham Massey Cheshire
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