High Peak

As I drove towards the Peak District the news on the radio was of severe weather warnings of gale force winds and heavy rain across many parts of England during the weekend. This challenging weather made sure that we used every piece of protective clothing we had.

On Saturday the skies were clear, but there were very strong winds all day. On Sunday the weather was awful with wind and rain, and although the warden gave everybody the option to remain at the Dalehead basecamp we all decided to try to do a couple of hours on the work site. We managed this, but any longer would have been beyond the call of even the most dedicated volunteer.

*Tasks undertaken.*
The weekend started in an unusual, but very pleasant way. After the evening meal on Friday, Ellie, a local National Trust warden gave the group a talk and slide show about the National Trust and it's role in the Peak District. Ellie also gave specific information about the Alport Valley, where we would be working, and the task that we would be undertaking.
	The Alport Valley has only recently been acquired by the National Trust and a major project is now being undertaken to gradually restore the valley to the natural state it used to be before large numbers of conifer trees were planted in this area. Old management practices which have worked against the 'spirit of the valley' are being reversed and any areas that have been ecologically damaged by some of the imposed man-made features are being restored.
Alongside the narrow track that runs up the valley is a Hawthorn hedge that has existed for over 100 years. As some of the trees in the hedgerow have died gaps have occurred which the National Trust now wishes to replant in order to maintain the hedge line all along the track. Our task for the weekend was to work on two of the gaps in the hedgerow.
	If young Hawthorn plants are left unprotected they would soon be eaten, or damaged, by the sheep and rabbits in the area, long before they could establish themselves. In order to protect the plants a fence needed to be built, around the area to be planted, that is substantial enough to remain in place for about 10 years until the plants have turned into established trees.
Building the enclosure was a long process as at each stage the fences and supporting wires had to be tensioned and secured to ensure that nosy sheep and atrocious weather conditions could not destroy the fencing. Trenches also had to be dug around the whole enclosure to sink netting underground in order to stop any rabbits burrowing underneath the fence.
	A one foot deep trench was then dug inside the fence along the length of the enclosure and the Hawthorn plants were placed about 18 inches apart before the trench was filled in again. We managed to completely finish one of the enclosures, but unfortunately the bad weather meant that the second enclosure still had a bit of work left to do on it.
After a hard days work it was good to get back to the Dalehead basecamp. The minibus trip took about 45 minutes and I think one or two people had a quiet nap on the way back. After a good hot shower, and putting on some dry clothes, any aches and pains from the day's work soon disappeared. Soon the log fire was burning bright and the evening meal was underway.
	After a superb meal we retired to The Rambler public house at Edale for a couple of drinks and the chance to get to know the other volunteers better. Back at the Dalehead basecamp some of us chatted in front of the open fire into the early hours of the morning. It was the weekend that the clocks went back so we gained an 'extra' hour to sit and chat.
On Saturday Claire saved the tapered end from a wooden post that had been sawn off during the fence making. Claire burnt the names of all of the group members into this piece of wood, which affectionately became known as 'The Cone'. 'The Cone' now has it's own place on the shelf above the fireplace at the Dalehead basecamp for all future groups to admire.

It was disappointing that the weather stopped us from completing the weekend's task, but apart from that, this was a very enjoyable weekend.

The journey home was a bit tricky as there were many blown down tree branches and a number of flooded roads.

The scenery, both around the basecamp, and at the work site was stunning and I know I will certainly be returning to the Alport Valley.

The volunteers present:		National Trust
Carol Claire Lynn Rowena	Tony (Leader) David David David	Andy (High Peak Warden) Bill Ellie