A hardy task for a hardy group of volunteers!  13 volunteers (unlucky for some) made the trip out to deepest, rural North Lincolnshire to help a private land owner cut back an overgrown blackthorn hedge in temperatures barely above freezing.

The site is in an isolated location next to the River Ancholme, comprising of a 9-acre certified organic field, grassland, an orchard and a willow bed. It is home to southern marsh orchids and short-eared owls use the area for hunting. The owner, Pattie, keeps chickens and six goats on her smallholding. This was a return visit to the site, however, according to the records, the group’s last visit was 12 years previous!

Snow fell throughout the day as the group cleared the hedge of blackthorn using loppers and bow saws, leaving the young hawthorn with space and light to develop and grow. A much-welcomed bonfire was lit to clear the cuttings and spirits were kept high by Pattie’s generous hospitality; volunteers were treated to warming vegetable soup, organic bread rolls and homemade goats’ cheese for lunch!  Delicious – thank you Pattie!

​Despite the weather, the group made an impressive impact on the hedge, which was met with much delight from the owner and everyone agreed it would be lovely to return again in the future (maybe, just a bit sooner than another 12 years)!

​Sophie
​Pictures by Julian