We arrived before the others, though not particularly
early. A mist hung in the fields across from the woods, and the river appeared
still. Within half an hour, though, the rest of the team turned up, disturbed
the peace and required us to do some work. At less than ten acres, Ebchester Woods is a
small but excellent stretch of semi-ancient woodland beside the River Derwent.
We were there because the woods belong to the National Trust, and are managed
and cared for by the Gibside Rangers.
 |
Mist in fields on opposite side of River Derwent
|
It’s been a while since we were last here but, every
so often, there is a need for a bit of a tidy and some maintenance. We two had
the relatively easy task of carving out passing places here and there along the
one narrow path that runs the length of the woods – cutting back the
undergrowth to create little bays. “Scalloped” was the word used by Head Ranger
Helen. The result was a little too crude to warrant that description, but
they’ll do. At least we had the opportunity to quietly wander and pause to look
at the wildlife. Tried to identify whether it was a lesser-spotted or
greater-spotted woodpecker we could hear hammering. Found pleasure in mosses
growing on tree stumps, birds skittering through tree-tops, mallards on the
water.
 |
| Hard at work! |
 |
| The cleared terraced bank |
 |
| The path through the woods. |
The others, it seems, had no need or no time for such
distractions. There is a weir on the river here, creating a navigable stretch
of water where once the locals leisurely rowed, or watched others from a series
of earth terraces close to the clubhouse. These terraces had been invaded by a
dense covering of gorse, bramble, bracken and the like, most of which is now
removed, and in a big heap awaiting disposal.
 |
| The heap |
Sandwiches and flask in the sunshine, a final tidy of
the footpath, and the job was done. A lovely day: we should come here more
often.
 |
| And then the sun came out... |
Steve Wootten & Phil Coyne
