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.

Marsden Health Walk - Walking Festival Week

Our second walk of the National Trust walking festival was a lovely one. We had a 2 hour health walk - slightly longer than usual but it was such a glorious day! The walk took us past Crow Hill and up towards Scout, with most of the walk being on the moorland.

It was a great turn out with a fair few new faces too as well as plenty of regular walkers. Our third and final walk of the festival is this Friday with our Redbrook Quest! The weather for Friday looks good too...!

Walking Festival Kicks Off!

The National Trust Walking Festival began on Saturday, and we joined in with our Marsden Circular walk. A beautful day (for a change), a very pleasant day for a walk around the hills surrounding Marsden. With nearly 30 people on the walk it was very well attended.
There was even a tiger spotted on the moors too!!

The walking festival continues all week, and we have 2 more walks for people to join in with. Our Marsden Health Walk is tomorrow - 10.45 at our exhibition room for a gentle 3 mile walk. The final walk of the week is on Friday which is the Redbrook Quest. A nice walk for all, meeting at Brun Clough car park (A62) at 1.30pm. Can you complete the quest on this 3 mile walk?!!

Splashing around and having fun!

The holiday activities this year have been great fun and had lots of people turning up to take part. Stream dipping never seems to get dull, with children splashing about up and down the river at Eastergate, looking for creatures and generally having a great time. Although the amount of rain meant one session had to be cancelled and we would have been better off with a raft-making activity, the weather has generally been ok!

Friday sessions have been great too with some crafty activities and some hunting of creatures as well!

The last sessions of the summer holidays are this week. It has gone incredibly fast, is it really coming to the end of August?? The last stream dipping session is tomorrow, and the final Fun Friday is a Geo-Day this week, with West Yorkshire Geology Trust coming in and bringing some dinosaur fun!

Keep an eye out on our website for other events and activities we have.

Help Restore the Moor

September at Marsden Moor will be all about Helping to Restore the Moor. Following on from the large fire in April on Close Moss we are now trying to help it back to a favourable condition.

Driving down the A62 now, a large purple area can be seen, but it is the purple moor grass in flower rather than the heather.

To help stop this grass from taking over we will spread heather seed across the site. A large amount of heather was burnt and destroyed in the fire.

We are calling for helpers to come out on some public work days to help us collect some heather seed which will go towards the re-seeding of the site. Other community groups are also getting involved, coming out onto the moors to help us collect seed and helping to be part of this restoration process.

Every weekend in September, we have an activity:
Sunday 4th, 10.30am - Cottongrass planting on White Moss. Meet at White Moss car park (A635).
Saturday 10th, 2.30pm - Heather seed collecting. Meet at Brun Clough car park (A62).
Sunday 18th, 11am - 2pm - End of Season Plant Sale and Moorland Information Day. At the estate office.
Saturday 24th, 2.30pm - Heather seed collecting. Meet at Brun Clough car park (A62).

Everyone is welcome to come and help!!

Health Walk Leader volunteers

We're looking for Health Walk Leaders - Could this be for you?!

What’s in it for you?

· Becoming part of a friendly and dedicated team

· Meeting people from all walks of life and making new friends

· Improving your communication skills

· Keeping Active

Our Health Walks currently run on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month, meeting at 10.45 at the Marsden Moor Estate Exhibition Room. The walks are approximately 3 miles long, and generally return by 12.30.

Fancy helping out on a regular basis? Get in touch! Call the office on 01484 847016 for more details.

Want to join in as a walker? Just come along!!

Marsden and Hardcastle Crags Team Day

Today the Wardens from Hardcastle Crags came over to Marsden to help us with some of our work. Our plan was to put some large stones at the entrance to Buckstones Car Park and put some NT signs on them. The landrover was driven onto the grass with the trailer, the aim being to reverse it back so the stones would be easier to put into the hole. Unfortunately...the landrover and trailer got stuck in the peat and the rest of the day was subsequently spent getting the landrover unstuck. We went back to get the ATV so that we could get the trailer out. On the way back up to Buckstones one of the tyres on the trailer burst - another bit of excitement for the day. Eventually we got everything out and made our way back to the office, with the stones and signs. So we still have that job for another day!

Photos to follow...

May Health Walk

It was a rather nice day for the second health walk in May - not too much wind, just a breeze, and a bit warmer than it has been too. There were not as many on the walk as there have been in previous weeks, but still a nice group.

The walk went to the edge of the moors with good views across to Pule Hill and all across the north of the Marsden Moor Estate, before coming back along the stream leading to Tunnel End. A nice morning walk to make you ready for lunch time!

Health walks run on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month, meeting at 10.45 at our Exhibition Room, usually returning at about 12.30. It's a good chance to stretch those legs, get some fresh air, perhaps discover a new place and to meet new people - including our lovely volunteers!!

More Plant Fair Pictures

Plant Fair Success!

Our annual Plant Fair was held on Sunday, and this year it was bigger and better than before! The morning started off lovely. We were working in the sunshine at 6am, just a shame it didn't stay like that the whole day. All the plants were set up and the additional stalls in place for the fair to open at 10am.

New for this year, we had Thurlstone Owl Sanctuary, local produce stalls, some lovely cakes and chocolates and also National Trust products for sale too, as well as children's activities. The giant snakes and ladders seemed to be a hit!

There were a few heavy downpours during the day, but that didn't stop some of the dedicated shoppers. The rest of us sheltered under the gazebos until the rain calmed down a bit.

And when it came to packing up, it didn't take too long at all as so many plants had been sold. A great day, and lots of money made to go towards the work needed to maintain our moors. Thanks to everyone who helped or came to support the event!!

Preparing the Plants...

Our annual plant fair working holiday are currently out in the yard working very hard! A group of 12 people come each year for a week preceeding the annual plant fair to label the pots and get the plants looking pristine ready for sale!

It's been a bit of a damp start to the working week although it is brightening up so hopefully by the big day on Sunday we'll be back to some proper sunny weather again.

The plants are being crated up ready to be transported down to the big car park where the plant sale will take place.

It's going to be a busy week for the working holiday!