A Christmassy Work Party

Planting Juniper on Bethecar Moor - 17th December 2009

On a crisp and clear winter's day in December, more than 20 people turned out to plant juniper bushes on the SSSI on Bethecar Moor overlooking Coniston Water, with views over to the Old Man, Dow Crag and Wetherlam. The working party was led by our local LDNPA Ranger, Tony Hill, and included staff, local farmers and volunteers from the Lake District Volunteer Service, the Bethecar Moor Commoners Association, the Forestry Commission, Natural England and the local community. The Westmorland Gazette and Radio Cumbria arrived to take photos and record interviews. Everyone worked hard to get the 250 juniper bushes planted with their protective stakes and netting, through the occasional snow flurries sweeping across the fellside.    Hot drinks, cakes, mince pies and other sustaining fuel were provided at regular intervals (thanks to Carol Dickinson, Theresa Morris, Bobbie Dobson, Jennifer Watson and Tony Hill) and gratefully consumed! It was a very jolly crowd - laughter ringing out across the moor with some light-hearted ribbing after lunch from our task-master, John Atkinson, to get off our backsides !

The day was a wonderful antidote to the usual Christmas madness. You should join us next time!            Mandy Lane

Click on the thumbnails below to bring up pictures. Contact Mandy if you would like copies of the originals.

A well-earned lunch.

Walking back at the end of the day above Low Parkamoor.