It’s not been the driest of task days today… but to the 6 volunteers who turned out his morning.
We were clearing up the springheads area (Dalby’s water supply) and removing the build up of leaf litter in the compound.
The before and after photos don’t really do the task justice but we also show the spoil heap with Jim for scale! It was a satisfying task which despite the low turnout we pretty much completed. Thank you to the Courtyard Cafe for the very much appreciated hot drinks at breaktime!
It was crisp and autumnal this morning and we had a great turnout to our work task. We returned to complete some regen clearance from some archaeological earthworks – a task we started last year. Very satisfying and we welcomed new volunteers Nicola and Dave too!
Quite a misty morning in the forest today. We were clearing some renegeneration to make the most of the views from Jerry Noddle – some new volunteers took some convincing there was a view at all. It did start to clear up after every one had left of course!
Thanks to everyone who turned out for our work task this morning – a rather warm and sunny one at that. Thankfully we were under the trees mostly, topping up some woodchip on the Adderstone Rigg trail, parts of the Gruffalo trail as well as topping up the pinecone and stony sections of the Barefoot walk in the Enchanted Wood.
We also welcomed 3 new volunteers today and it felt like we got a lot done. We were all ready for ice cream by the end.
Our last work task was in October, but a keen if rusty band of volunteers turned out to a work task in Dalby this morning. Armed with saws and loppers, we were reinstating the views from the benches that line the path from Crosscliff to Jerry Noddle. Hot, sweaty work!
It was lovely to be back in the forest. There remains a limit in working party numbers (so new volunteers won’t be able to start with us just yet) but fingers crossed it won’t be too long.
Jerry Noddle – BeforeJerry Noddle – AfterOur first album cover! Ranger Simon with 5 of the work party at Jerry Noddle. Photo by Judith W – once again avoiding the camera (just the way I like it!)
Long time member Phil Johnson has decided it is time to hang up his gloves, saw and shovel and step away from active Friends of Dalby Forest work tasks. Phil was a founding member of the Friends of Dalby Forest back in the early 2000s, so it’s a particularly poignant end to an era.
Phil (in the hat) as seen on our banner in the Visitor Centre
You might remember Phil and his trademark beard from one of his many guises – wheelbarrow supremo, Dalby poster boy, Green Santa, super Wizard and bat-maker!
Phil with Jane Payne, at an FoDF Bank Holiday stall at Adderstone, August 2015
Phil did a lot of the art work and posters for many Friends’ events and activities, and his little card bats are always really popular at our Halloween craft table (rest assured we will continue to make them when we do finally get back to forest life!). Although many elements of how we operate have changed during Phil’s time, as we continue now, we do so only on the solid foundations that Phil helped to build.
A compilation of Phil’s artistic work over the years
So thank you Phil, for everything you’ve done, from all of us. Enjoy your retirement!
Phil at the Forest Garden, January 2019 (photo by Michael Hill) Everyone listens to Phil! October 2015 Wizard Phil (pink beard, in case of any doubt!) with Judith (current chair), October 2015Phil at the Dry Stone Wall Maze, July 2015Phil at Adderstone, November 2014Phil as Dalby’s Green Santa
*And don’t forget to give Phil a wave next time you see him as he enjoys his “extra” time on the beach working with the donkeys at Scarborough.
it won’t be too long.
Friends of Dalby Forest 