Flag-laying on White Moss

Been up on White Moss today flag-laying along the Pennine Way with the Kirklees Youth Offending Team. It was hard work but rewarding - it stayed mostly dry and the sun even came out at one point! We finished the session on a high as the group worked well as a team to move a particularly large stone.


We were working on the last batch of the flags flown up over Christmas, so hopefully this section of the path will be finished fairly soon. It was great to see quite a few walkers enjoying the break in the weather and using the newly created path!

Health Walk Boom

The lovely weather over the last few days has really brought the walkers out. Yesterday was our second Health Walk of March, and we had record numbers! Altogether, 28 people were out on the walk.
With the growing numbers and people wanting some longer walks, we piloted a new idea yesterday. Part way round the walk, the group could split, so people wanting a normal length walk could head back to the office with a leader, and people wanting a longer walk could carry on and get back a bit later.
This was very successful yesterday with the majority of the group continuing for the longer walk. We are hoping to continue this idea in the future as we have a good number of walk leaders now.
The next walk will be on April 11th.

A wonderful day for flags

The flag stones that were flown out onto the moors in January are in the process of being turned into a footpath! Lots of different people have been out helping us with this hard work. As well as our regular volunteer work parties, we have also had a group from West Yorkshire National Trust volunteers, Kirklees Youth Offending Team and students from Kirklees College.

The college students couldn't have picked a better day for working on the moors. Despite a rather grey, overcast start in Marsden, by the time we arrived on White Moss the skies were blue and the sun was warming us up. There were a good number of walkers out, as well as a fair few birds. With the sun shining and gentle breeze, it was probably the best day of the year to be on the moors!

Flying flag stones to the moors

The bad weather that had prevented us flying out our flag stones at the end of December finally came to an end and we were able to get several airlifts in during mid-January in order to get all the stones out onto the moors. The stones will be used to help complete more of the White Moss/Black Moss footpath which began several years ago.

The stones are flown onto the moor by helicopter, then dropped into the correct position. The better placed they are on the moors, the easier it is when it comes to the flag laying. Some of the stones are so large it takes at least 6 people to move them. It makes it a much easier job if they don't have to be moved so far into position.

The first day of work on the footpath was last weekend, with the Kirklees Youth Offending team out and getting stuck in to the hard work.

A blustery start to 2012

Our New Year walk was rather successful, despite the weather! Somehow, we managed to pick the only 2 hour slot of the day when the rain just about stayed away - very fortunate indeed! A group of 14 of us had a lovely walk up to the Deer Hill conduit and along to Binn, where we were rather blown about by the wind, but what better way to blow out the old and start the new year with such a fresh feeling!

Looking to the New Year...

So, it's the last Friday of 2011 and we're busy preparing to have another great year! 2012 starts with a 5 mile walk across the moors, fingers crossed that the weather improves for that. Rain and wind would certainly blow the old cobwebs away though!

There will be plenty happening on the Marsden Moor Estate during 2012, lots more events and activities planned, more footpath improvements and other estate work. Plus, our new exciting 'Marsden Moor Bog Biodiversity' project will get underway which we are able to do with SITA funding. This 3 year project should keep us busy for a while!

So, keep your eyes open to find out what we have going on throughout the 2012.

Happy New Year!

Defeated by the snow

The wardens tried to test out a bike ride today in order to create a new downloadable trail for the website. The route was sorted, the date booked and the bikes dusted down and ready to go. Unfortunately, on the day of the bike ride, the weather decided it wanted to test us further. The snow arrived heavier than it has so far this winter and the clouds were low over the tops.

After a bit of umm-ing and aar-ing, we decided that since we'd brought the bikes over we'd have a trip out and see how it was. The higher we got, the snowier it became and, in the end we let the weather win. The way back was nice and easy downhill, and we retreated back to the office for a cup of tea and some chocolate. We'll try again when it's just muddy and there's not snow and ice to challenge us too!

Navigation for Beginners

We are happy to announce that we will be running 2 navigation courses next year!

Improve your skills and step out with confidence with a 1-day map reading courses for beginners. Explore the Marsden Moor Estate with Mark Reid, author of 'The Inn Way' guidebooks and Mountain Leader, who will teach you the skills you need to follow your own walks in the countryside; skills that will last a lifetime.

The courses will be running on Wednesday 2nd May and Wednesday 26th September 2012. There are limited spaces available, so book early to avoid disappointment! Courses cost £49 and include a full day of navigation training, course notes, use of Berghaus gear if required and use of a map and compass. Tea and coffee will also be provided.

For more details and to book please visit http://www.teamwalking.co.uk/navigation-skills-courses/map-reading-fountains-abbey.html

Feeling Festive

It was the final session of 2011 today with the Kirklees Youth Offending Team and we were feeling festive! We started the day with a trip out on to the snowy moors to finish off planting a few plug plants. Luckily there weren't too many to do, so we didn't get too cold, but it was nice to get out on the tops.

We then came back to warm up in the workshop and made some festive wreaths to decorate the exhibition room. We ended up with some really nice ones - good work from the team!

Student -Today I went for a walk along with Alison. She showed me the usual route her and her team have discovered around the moors in marsden. The walk was approximately an hour and a quater. As I was walking along with Alison, She also pointed and explained what each areas and fields are called. Not only this but she explain about the leadership and risk assessment. On the way back we went through a different route and Overall I really enjoyed the view and I found it quite interesting.