Ancient Monument

March 2014 - primrose premiere

3rd March

Mel came and helped John move a Damson tree from home to the orchard area. 

10th-12th March

John builds a stile into the roadside plantation, close to the entrance gate and we start clearing in that corner to create a path inside the fence for Tim to use on his butterfly surveys (Wrigley Walk?!). 

We plant Snowdrops round the cross base, Wild Garlic in the Pit Wood, 3 Speedwell plants in the wildflower meadow; hang 2 bird boxes in the scrub area and plant 2 Oak trees (from Keith and Rachel and Fran and Martin [Tynedale Community Choir]).

19th March

Wildflower survey number 3 - first Primroses are out in the Pit Wood. 

21-22nd March

More work on 'Wrigley Walk'.

25th March

Path through the scrub area cleared. 

26th March

Further work on Scrub path and 2 bags of Snowdrops from Fran and Martin planted on the land. 2 curlews flew over towards the south west corner. 

29th March

Jane K plans a transect walk for a bumble bee survey. 3 Honesty plants introduced to Wildflower Meadow. 

Preparing to replant the damson

Damson in it's new home

One of the oak saplings in the North-east Strip

Alder catkins

Kissing is in fashion when gorse is in flower

Pit Wood primroses

The first of what will be many stiles 

Wild Garlic 

December 2013 - a busy month to end the year!

3rd December

We met Duncan Hutt and Mel from the Northumberland Wildlife Trust at Liddells. Duncan was interested in our idea of leaving the land to the NWT. He offered help and we talked about grazing options. 

We planted 2 patches of Pheasant's Eye Narcissus either side of the crossbase, 3 clumps in the verge and some inside the boundary wall north of the gate and by the beeches. 

4th December

40 Fritillaria planted in lower east meadow - our chosen site for wildflowers (we had originally thought of developing the area above the crag, but Duncan's visit prompted a rethink).

Clump of Narcissus Felindre (Poeticus Daffodil) on bank approaching Bird Cherry tree. 2 clumps by the Bird Cherry. 

6th December

50 Snowdrops and 16 Narcissi in the woodland. John saw ladybirds appearing to hibernate in a Scots Pine, south edge of Pit Wood. 

18th December

Ian Everard from the Forestry Commission visited the land with us and advised on making subcompartments/grant applications. He was encouraging and offered help with forms. 

20th December

We cut out own Christmas tree and one for Jane B.

26th December

Boxing Day - 2 hours freeing trees from plastic tubes in NE Strip. 

27th December

More tree freeing/logging/clearing

28th December

Brashing/logging/clearing; bags of rubbish to dump; logs stacked in shed on Top Grazing; Freelander stuck in mud overnight!

29th December

After more unsuccessful attempts on John's part to free the Land Rover, he went off to get help. Determined not to be beaten, Clare managed to drive it out just as Derek arrived with a tractor. So proud!

Brashing/logging/clearing - more logs stacked; trailer mended; common earthball fungus identified east of path under wires. 

John and chain saw - a familiar sight

The North-east Strip looking more open after brashing and thinning

The spoils of tree-freeing

30th December

Office work on planning/forms etc. 

31st December

Diary update.

Pre-purchase - March-July 2013

Prior to the sale of the land, the previous owner generously allowed us access, and we began documenting our visits. 

17th March

We planted 100 English Bluebells on the land. 

20th March

John discovered that there is an Ancient Monument on the land: Medieval cross base, 400m south east of Crag House. List Entry: 1008424.

The base of the wayside cross is incorporated into the dry stone wall situated on the top of the east-west ridge. It is believed to be on the Medieval Pilgrim route from Hexham Abbey to the Church of St Oswalds at Heavenfield. 

1st April

We planted Snowdrops that we had taken from our garden.

Sunday 21st April

New growth from a dead Elm trunk on the west side of the Pit Wood. Primroses on the south facing bank of the spring gully. Saw Bullfinches - 2 pairs in the Pit Wood. 

20th May

We discover that completion hasn't happened as planned because of a legal technicality.

20th June

John saw a hare on the Top Grazing. 

24th July

Mike has applied to the Land Registry and been given Absolute Title to the land inside the gateway. 

30th July

We have exchanged contracts. Completion to take place Wednesday 7th August.