Gibside: A repair job

August 2018

The strimming had been finished by the time we got there, which was a good thing. We avoid mechanical noise when we can, though some others on the team love the gadgetry of strimmers and mowers and the like. The walled garden and its surroundings had become a bit overgrown, despite weeks of heat, sunshine, and little rain. At this time of year, the pond has to be left alone so as not to disturb the wildlife – in particular, the large population of great-crested newts. For the same reason, the surrounding vegetation has to be left long and dense enough to maintain a safe understorey - if that’s the right term to use.

Raking

We raked up the cut grass, willow herb, thistles and brambles and dumped them out of sight down a steep bank in nearby woods. We had also cut back willow shrubbery where it was encroaching on the pond, but that was to be put to good use.

Filling the bags

Tackling the willow

Uphill from the stables, on the fringe of the West Wood, is the Playscape – a woodland area of things to play in and on. The recently added feature of a woven, living willow dome had died. We mocked the skill level of the rangers who had constructed it, but that was, perhaps, unfair given this summer’s weather. A nearby willow tunnel, constructed by your bloggers two years ago with help from volunteers Terry and Mary, is thriving. But that’s probably not so much to do with our weaving skills as being well-established and sited in a near-permanently damp hollow. We used the willow cut from the walled garden to strengthen and green it – this time with help from Lorna and David. It’s not the best time of year to do it but, with a bit of moisture, willow usually takes root.

Repairing the dome

The finished job

Whilst we were doing that, some of the team planted willow cuttings in the collapsing banks of the stream that runs through the trees, and others replaced decayed rails on the log bridge that spans it. Children gathered, eager to be the first to cross.

It was another warm day. Jobs done, we took our lunch beside Octagon Pond and sat watching common darters (a species of dragonfly) come and go, and a little grebe repeatedly dive, surfacing only briefly. Apart from observing the wildlife, it was interesting to study the contents of lunch boxes. Clearly visible was beetroot in buns, and someone even had olives. Thought people only did that sort of thing in Mediterranean countries; maybe it’s the weather.