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

A new scout camp

June 19, 2017 by Julian

Yesterday we helped with the development of a brand-new 30-acre scout camp – Hollinwood Scout Camp – in Worsley. A challenging yet exciting project, where glades are being created in a mixed woodland for scouts to camp and enjoy the outdoor life. We balsam-bashed an area that will be a narrow access road through the site. There are also fields which have recently been planted with 900 mixed deciduous saplings by the Woodland Trust; we mulched around the saplings to ensure they don’t get encroached by the surrounding tall grasses.

A very accommodating and friendly partner to work alongside, who provided us with copious amounts of tea and biscuits on our break, under the scout marquee!

Posted in Invasive species, Woodland management | Tagged Hollinwood Scout Camp |

Pennine Way, picking and playing

May 14, 2017 by Julian

This weekend was our second trip to the Peaks this year, working as usual with the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers (PPCV). On Saturday we worked on the Pennine Way to help with areas which need improved drainage. On Sunday we were very pleased to join (as two years ago) the annual Pick-and-Play day, which was again organised by Peak Mountaineering and PPCV: this followed the usual formula of litter-picking for one half of the day and then a choice of outdoor activities for the other half. This time we SACV volunteers opted for a mix of activities, including bushcraft, a guided walk, orienteering, climbing and abseiling – and as previously we had a fine time, with a torrential downpour in the middle of the day failing to dampen enthusiasm!

Before starting drainage repair on Pennine Way

Path drainage

Completed water bars

Volunteers at Pick-and-Play

Rock-climbing at Pick-and-Play

Posted in Paths, Residential weekends | Tagged Peak Park Conservation Volunteers |

Wildlife area at Chorlton Water Park

April 23, 2017 by Julian

The wildlife area at Chorlton Water Park has been developed in conjunction with the RSPB over the last few years, mainly for educational purposes. Today we helped with some maintenance: planting, mulching, laying new woodchip on the paths, and clearing debris from the dipping pond. And there was plenty of spring wildlife to be observed while we were about it!

Volunteer in wildflower garden

Volunteer clearing debris from pond

The weeded and mulched hedge

The path with newly laid woodchip

Posted in Wildlife education | Tagged Chorlton Water Park, Mersey Valley, RSPB |

Steps at Tegg’s Nose Country Park

April 9, 2017 by Julian

Today a gang of us were out with Ranger Martin at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, where we helped with adding edging boards to a set of steps which have been suffering from erosion and the loss of surfacing. A perfect spring day to enjoy the views – plus a chance for a belated celebration of a landmark birthday!

View from the steps

Before starting – steps in need of edging

Volunteers at work

Belated birthday cake!

Volunteers at work

Completed steps with edge boards

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

Completing a willow tunnel

March 19, 2017 by Julian

Today we were back at Longford Park School to complete the willow tunnel and path which we started helping with last month. Thanks again to LPS for the warm welcome and hospitality – and especially for the home-made cake!

Completed willow arch and path

Update, 8th June 2017:

Nearly three months on, it’s good to see that the tunnel and dome are developing nicely!

Willow tunnel and dome growing well

Posted in Paths, Willow structures | Tagged Longford Park School |

Rain, sleet and mud at Alderley Edge

March 7, 2017 by Julian

This past Sunday, six hardy volunteers braved rain, sleet and mud to give the National Trust rangers at Alderley Edge a hand with path maintenance! The work was to clear and dig the mud off a path which ought then to dry out for easier access later in the year, thereby taking the pressure off the other paths in the area, which otherwise get badly worn. A couple of channels to divert water away from the path were also put in place. Congratulations on the perseverance shown by those who turned out!

Path work in progress

Volunteers at work

Path work in progress

Posted in Paths | Tagged Alderley Edge, National Trust |

Willow arches in a community orchard

February 20, 2017 by Julian

Yesterday SACV members were out with the Friends of the Fallowfield Loop, working in and around one of the community orchards on the Loop, in Levenshulme. We helped with building two willow arches, using willow harvested from the Loop, and some weeding and general maintenance around the orchard trees was also done. Meanwhile, Incredible Edible Levenshulme were also out, working on their raised beds of herbs and fruit. Many thanks to all helpers!