News | SMCV | A voluntary conservation group working in and around south Manchester, England

Lakeside work at Chorlton Water Park

November 24, 2013 by Julian

Seven volunteers, a warden and a dog were out today to do some work at the edge of the lake in Chorlton Water Park. We were removing some of the self-seeded trees – mainly alder – to increase the space and light to allow other waterside species to flourish. A slightly grey day, but maybe that allowed some of the fine autumn colours to stand out and look their best!

Clearing self-seeded trees at lake edge

After clearing self-seeded trees at lake edge

After clearing self-seeded trees at lake edge 2

Tools and autumn colours

Human and canine volunteers

Sign, tools and autumn colours

Conservation volunteers at work

Management of an overgrown willow groyne

Willow groyne – letting in more light after maintenance

Posted in Ponds and lakes | Tagged Chorlton Water Park, Mersey Valley |

Hedgelaying at Alderley Edge

November 10, 2013 by Julian

Today ten of us were out hedgelaying with the National Trust at Alderley Edge. After yesterday’s fairly dismal weather, it was a delight and a relief to find that we had a perfect day for it! And we concluded it all with well-deserved tea and cake in The Wizard Tea Rooms.

Getting started

Hedgelaying

The bonfire

Trees, bonfire and hedge

Clearing up

Posted in Hedgelaying | Tagged Alderley Edge, National Trust |

A pond in Chorlton Meadows

October 21, 2013 by Julian

The Sunday before last (13th October 2013) SACV volunteers joined members of the Friends of Chorlton Meadows to continue with some pond work which we first did around this time last year. The aim was to clear some areas of the pond to maintain an important habitat balance between reed beds and open water. Well done to everyone who was out and – especially – got into the water!

SACV and FoCM at Chorlton Meadows

Posted in Ponds and lakes | Tagged Friends of Chorlton Meadows | 1 Comment »

Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane

September 29, 2013 by Julian

We spent last weekend on a residential in the Peak District, where for two days we worked with the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers carrying out some stone-pitching. We were helping with an ongoing project to restore the damaged surface of Washgate Lane, an old packhorse route near Hollingsclough which has been in use for centuries. The weather was terrific – particularly on the Sunday – and it was great to be part of the important work to maintain this historic path!

Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 1

Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 2

Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 3

Stone-pitching on Washgate Lane 4

Lunch by Washgate Bridge

Washgate Bridge on the Dove

Posted in Residential weekends, Stone-pitching | Tagged Peak Park Conservation Volunteers |

Saplings at Birch Moss Covert

September 8, 2013 by Julian

SACV volunteers were out today helping the Cheshire Wildlife Trust at one of their sites, Birch Moss Covert. The work was to carry out some woodland management, clearing an area that had been invaded by Himalayan balsam and bracken, then transplanting rowan saplings from a denser area of the wood.

Woodland work at Birch Moss Covert

Posted in Invasive species, Woodland management | Tagged Cheshire Wildlife Trust |

Fencing on the Middlewood Way

August 19, 2013 by Julian

This past Sunday SACV volunteers were out on the Middlewood Way, helping ranger Ed with repairing and replacing fencing. Well done to everyone who came along to help out, learn some new skills and make this a productive day!

SACV doing fencing work on the Middlewood Way

Posted in Fencing | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Middlewood Way |

A woodland path at Chorlton Water Park

July 28, 2013 by Julian

With the simultaneous arrival of the holiday season and rather mixed weather, there was only a small contingent (four!) of us hardy conservation volunteers in action at Chorlton Water Park today, along with warden Richard. The day kindly withheld its heaviest deluge until the middle of the afternoon though, just after we had finished.

Our work was to help with the maintenance of a path through the woods on the southern side of the lake. We cleared the overgrown edges and re-covered the path with woodchip, to maintain it as an accessible route and to encourage people to explore and enjoy this lovely little piece of woodland adjacent to the River Mersey. The river, incidentally, was looking unusually high after last night’s heavy rain – higher in the morning than in the afternoon when these pictures were taken.

Wheelbarrow, woodchip and shovels

The path through the woodland

The River Mersey, running high

Posted in Paths | Tagged Chorlton Water Park, Mersey Valley |

A meadow at Tegg’s Nose

July 16, 2013 by Julian

This past Sunday SACV members were out at the glorious Tegg’s Nose Country Park, where the work was to help keep a meadow clear of bracken, ragwort and thistles in order to maintain a regionally important population of waxcap fungi and the beautiful mountain pansies. It was a very hot day, so well done to those who were out! Here are some pictures, courtesy of Martin the ranger.

SACV at Tegg’s Nose Country Park

Posted in Meadows | Tagged Cheshire East Rangers, Tegg's Nose Country Park |

Rhododendrons at Hare Hill

June 30, 2013 by Julian

Today SACV volunteers were out giving the National Trust a hand at Hare Hill. We were working at the edge of the woods which surround the walled garden, in a meadow awash with buttercups, where our task was to help with the control of rhododendrons.

Buttercups at Hare Hill

Conservation volunteers at work

Posted in Woodland management | Tagged Hare Hill |

A weekend of steps and goats in Wensley

June 6, 2013 by Julian

Last weekend (Friday 31st May to Sunday 2nd June) some of us headed off into the Peaks for a weekend away. Our work over the Saturday and Sunday was to help the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers to improve a footpath in the village of Wensley through the construction of some steps. It was a great location, the sun shone all the time, and the hillside we were working on was home to four friendly goats who took quite an interest in what we were up to!