Diary page 9: January - May 2009

A photographic diary of our volunteering activities

Sunday 3rd May

Sometimes the un-expected happens with volunteering. Whilst fitting a drink dispenser
in the goat pen at Wimpole I was aware of a goat making, well more noises than the rest.
Having given the goat a cursory look, I continued with my task. The noises stopped.
Puzzled, I turned round and was surprised to find a new arrival next to mum!!
Over the next hour two more "kids" arrived. Pictured below are the three at
around 5 hours old and already standing, though a little wobbly, after their bottle feed.
I'm told the breed is Anglo Nubian goats: Anglo Nubian Society.

(Photos: Roger) Left: three "kids" after bottle feed and already standing ....
To the left of the picture is the male goat "Ukkie" (Dutch meaning "Little One").
To the middle of the picture is the very tiny goat that has not survived.
To the right of the picture is the female goat "Knuffel" (Dutch meaning "Hug").

Right: "Ukkie" with guiding hand!

Names provided by a Dutch volunteer working at Wimpole.

Wimpole gardens tree planting and compost bin building - 19th April 2009

A busy day planting apple trees, clearing weeds and building a three bay compost bin
in an area just outside the walled gardens that is opening to the public this week.

(Photos: Paul) Left: Clare and Suzanne planting and weeding.........Right: The new garden area taking shape.

(Photo: Paul) Left: Peter and Clare prepare hole for apple tree planting
(Photo: Roger) Right: Paul and Alison clean slabs ready for the compost bin area.

(Photos: Roger) Left: Joan de-nailing re-claimed timbers for compost bins ...... Mid: Alison and Joan rock and roll.......
Right: Clare emptying unwanted soil, whilst Val collects compost for apple trees.

(Photo: Roger) Left: Jonathan, Alison and Nigel clearing turf from compost bin area...
(Photo: Paul) Right: slab laying continues....Jonathan checks for level

(Photo: Paul) Left: Lunch break........(Photo: Roger) Right: Construction of compost bin sides started.

(Photos: Paul/Roger) Good progress at the end of the day....off for tea and cakes.

Clare and Roger returned on Monday to help complete the compost bins with other property volunteers.
(Photos: Roger) Left: 3 bay compost bin ready for use........(Photo: Roger) Right: New public area completed.

Wimpole Farm Cleaving and Froeing - 5th April 2009

This week we had a choice of two tasks on the farm, cleaving and froeing or
painting the metal fencing round the farmyard pond.
Sarah, Barbara and Trish chose the fence painting whilst
Sian and Roger demonstrated cleaving and froeing to the visitors.
Unfortunately, Roger got so engrossed in the work he forgot to take any photos!!
So below are some earlier shots showing cleaving and froeing.

(Photo: Roger) Above, tools for cleaving : To the rear the riving break.
In the foreground, L to R: froe, home made mallet, axe, bill-hook

"Cleaving" simply means splitting and a "froe" is the tool to help split the timbers into a useable size.
(Photos: Roger/Paul) Left: starting the split, Rob holds the "froe" in his right hand.........Right: Roger working the split down the stake.

(Photos: Roger) Left: adding a point to one end.........Right: Val stacks the completed stakes.

Ashridge Weekend - 20th to 22nd March 2009

Forestry work on the Ashridge Estate in the Chilterns.

(Photos: Clare) Pete (left) and Joan (right) get down to some bramble clearing.

Wimpole Estate - 1st February 2009

On the Saturday there had been a hedge laying competition just beyond Cobbs Farm. Each of the eight
contestants had to lay 10 metres of hedge. Our task was to clear up the debris and shred it.
The area was clear by four o'clock in time to miss the snow and go for a well earned cup of tea.

(Photo: Val) Left: Clearing under way with storm clouds brewing....the laid hedge clearly visible
(Photo: Clare) Right: more clearing by the road with Val and Sian feeding the shredder.

(Photo: Roger) View of completed hedge laying (taken 1st April 2009).

Brancaster Weekend - 23rd to 25th January 2009

This was the seventh consecutive annual CNTV visit to the NT Millennium Centre at Brancaster Staithe
on the North Norfolk coast. For the first time we worked in the front garden.

(Photos: Tom) Left: Tidying work in the front garden....Right: Clare and Mark putting bark chippings on top of the anti weed covering.

(Photo: Tom) Neil burying turf in a trench (must be tricky to mow...).

Peckover House - 18th January 2009

This weeks task was pruning the Laurels at Peckover House near Wisbech.

(Photo: Clare) Left: Sian gets down to some laurel pruning....
(Photo: Clare) Right: ...phew, pruning!?...Sian is spotted making a quick getaway.....Peckover House in the background.