AA Midland Branch Members helping out at the Lovell Quinta Arboretum
On a very damp November day 5 enthusiastic members turned up at the Lovell Quinta Arboretum in Cheshire to come to the aid of one of our long term members, Rhod Taylor the curator. Efforts had been made the previous year but with no takers.
However with some doubt about the weather every body assembled at around 9.30 in the pub car park.
Discussions were held about the jobs and the group decided who would do what from a choice of some tricky felling and a quite large dismantling job.
Safety signs were put out but fortunately due to the weather visitors were somewhat sparse. In the previous couple of weeks we had large attendances with the spectacular autumn colour.
A large Lombardy Poplar got dropped exactly right thanks to the accurate work of Steve Coombes, whilst in the meantime Chris from Hamps Valley was busy dismantling a large Lime, so a coffee break was in order supplied by the Swettenham Arms who also made the lunchtime sandwiches donated by the Tatton Garden Society.
By lunch time things were going very well with unwanted trees coming down in many places but all well controlled.
The crew had also managed to see some of the 2,500 trees and shrubs in the 60 year old arboretum enthusiastically managed by Rhod with the help of a few volunteers..
After a good lunch it was time to start clearing up including trying to persuade Steve to stop felling!! particularly as the weather was worsening and we needed to put things right over a pint.
A valiant effort by all concerned and my thanks go to Lesley, Mick, Steve, Bill and Kris for their enthusiasm,support and efforts and also to the Arboricultural Association for circulating material.
Rhoderic Taylor
Curator The Lovell Quinta Arboretum.