Alan & Caro Brown’s Woodland, Sunday April 24th

Reporter: Caro Brown

On what had been forecast to be a mild, sunny spring day, ten intrepid SCoM members ventured into the wilds of the Cheshire countryside to explore Alan and Caroline’s rural idyll. Bill Matthews arrived by bicycle but had brought plenty of extra clothes with him—just as well as the day turned somewhat showery and cold after he had put the quadbike through its paces! Unfortunately the rain deterred anyone else from having a go on this occasion but maybe another time.

Alan led a couple of guided tours of Long Wood, pointing out seasonal flora and explaining how the work they have done in the wood so far has changed and is continuing to change the variety of plants that can be seen season by season, increasing the diversity of the habitat and benefitting the wildlife. His efforts at hedge laying were greatly admired and the merits of having a ready and almost endless supply of firewood on tap were discussed while standing round the embers of the previous day’s hedgelaying bonfire warming hands and feet.

Meanwhile, the generator recently acquired to run the electric log-splitter proved very handy for boiling a kettle for hot drinks as people took shelter from the elements in the barn. SCoM members are a hardy lot so the picnic lunch under shelter and with plenty of hot drinks on tap was very convivial. Thanks to Brenda Smith for providing the delicious cake!

Those who had time to do so then had a ramble to the northern wood to explore the stream and wave to the trains. This area has been left untouched so far but there are hints that a zipwire or two might be installed in the near future and they won’t be just for the grandchildren to have fun on! Field archery has been mentioned too…

Despite the weather we hope that our visitors enjoyed the day as much as we did and we look forward to welcoming SCoM back sometime soon.