A visit to Cherryburn

02/11/11

Today we separated into 3 groups. Terry & Mary set off to clear gullies on the Gibside estate, the second group were detailed to leaf clearing, and our group of 7 set off for Cherryburn, another local National Trust property, the birth place of Thomas Bewick.

Our task was to cut back vegetation in the orchard using strimmers & John’s scythe, then to rake up the grass and bracken cuttings into large piles, for easy collection at a later date. The orchard is now a wildlife garden. Cutting back the undergrowth encourages a wider variety of plants to grow.

John using his scythe

Bruce strimming

Helen raking grass



Rob raking grass



 John demonstrated scything technique to several of us and then we were allowed to try for ourselves. All I can say is that it’s not as easy as it looks but it is much quieter than a strimmer.

We had lunch sitting outside the main house in the sunshine (well it was a Wednesday!), our peace only disturbed by the free range hens looking for scraps.



Three of the hens searching for lunch