Splitting the bees

We have already had to split our hive to try to stop them swarming - I went out yesterday to get some photos and found that they had swarmed anyway. Needless to say that the camera got forgotten about in the panic that followed!

Luckily the bees hadn't swarmed far and were still in our yard on several plant pots and the table. After coaxing them into a cardboard box with a helping brush from the feather duster, the bees were successfully restored to their hive and so far, they have not swarmed again.

So we now have two hives of bees to look after, assuming the don't swarm again!

Canoeing and Dipping

On the first Tuesday in July we all went across to Hardcastle Crags in Hebden Bridge to join up with the Countryside Team there for a team day. We spent the morning testing out the two canoes for leaks on the two ponds, and taking samples from various spots in the ponds to find out what lives in them.

The afternoon was much more like hard work, extracting logs from the woods and stacking them up ready for the tractor to take them away.

A rather fun and different day, making a change from being out on the moors!

Grand Exhibition Opening

The official opening of the new exhibition room took place on Friday July 2nd, on a relatively sunny and warm morning. The forecast rain stayed away. A mix of councillors, National Trust staff and volunteers and others that had had input into the Heritage Trail and exhibition were invited, and it was a successful turnout. The Examiner also came to take a few photos, so watch out for it in the paper!

We were all taken on a virtual tour of part of the estate, with an audio tour and slide show to show part of the new Heritage Trail which was then followed with Go Potty! A good number of people got involved with decorating their plant pots and sowing their free seeds.

It was an enjoyable and different morning - a good way to finally officially open our exhibition room.

Simon Armitage and the Pennine Way

Simon Armitage, the local poet, will be walking the Pennine Way from north to South during July. On his journey he'll be stopping off to do poetry readings. These readings are free but Simon will be passing his hat around afterwards and is hoping to be able to fund his whole journey by doing this.

On Saturday July 24th, Simon will be in Marsden, doing a reading at the British Waterways Tunnel End Visitor Centre from 8pm. Booking is essential if you want to come and hear the reading, call the Marsden Moor Estate on 01484 847016 to book a ticket. There are limited spaces, so call early to make sure you'll be there!

Visit http://www.simonarmitage.com/ for more information about Simon's journey along the Pennine Way.

New Knee Rail at Buckstones

A new knee rail is being installed in the Buckstones Car Park. This is to replace the existing bollards that are there to prevent people from driving over the grass, but also to try to make it look a bit smarter and more loved! It is a very popular spot and on sunny days there are always plenty of cars up there.





The work party group of volunteers as well as the Kirklees Youth Offending Team have been up digging deep holes and putting the posts in. Hot work in the sunshine!

The Bee Project Part 2 - The Arrival of the Bees

No one could quite believe the luck when we were told that we could have a swarm of bees, especially so soon after the bee course. Rob and Alison went over to York on Monday to pick up the precious package and bring it back to Marsden. Having enjoyed the beautiful weather in York, they are probably wondering why they now have to be living in rainy Marsden.



The bees have been transferred into their new hive and seem to be settling in well...so far!

We all went POTTY!

Our May half term event made so many people go completely potty. The drop-in session was busy all day with people coming to decorate plant pots with mosaic tiles, which were then filled with compost and free seeds.

Everyone got very creative and there were all sorts of designs and decorations, and a complete mixture of ages taking part. Children and parents all got stuck in, enjoying the hot sunshine while decorating their pots. A very enjoyable day had by all, especially as it was all free, thanks to funding from Kirklees Council.

Download the Marsden Audiotrail

Did you know there is an audiotrail for Marsden? Why not download it from www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/mftf/audio_trails/marsden.htm

The walk visits a number of locations on the Marsden Moor Estate, including Pule Hill, Black Moss and Swellands reservoirs and Close Moss, and conveniently it starts and finishes at Marsden Railways Station. Allow approximately 4hrs 30 mins for the walk. It's free to download, so try it, and see what you can learn about the Marsden Moor Estate.

The Bee Project - Part 1

Our Bee Project has already been much talked about, and work has already commenced on it with hives already been built by some of the volunteers. But this weekend, Rob, Gemma and Alison travelled across to North Wales for a weekend of learning about beekeeping. We arrived on the Friday evening and eventually managed to find the B&B (which served a huge and delicious breakfast) and had a wander down the country lanes to the pub.

On Saturday morning the hard work began. We spent the morning learning about all the basics and then the summer management of beekeeping. In the afternoon we then got dressed up in our very fetching bee suits and went to visit an aviary. Wearing wellies and a bee suit with all done up in the blistering hot sunshine makes for very hot and sweaty bee keepers! We got to look at the hives and practised what we had learnt in the morning. When we could endure the heat no more, we left the bees to it and went back for tea and to learn all about the equipment.

In the evening, we had a lovely stroll around some woods to relax after our hard day of work.

On Sunday, the sun was shining just as hot again, and we had a long morning indoors learning all about viruses and diseases and pests and everything that will kill off our bees. We also learnt about winter preparation and the honey harvest. The aviary we visited on Sunday was thankfully in the shade, so we were able to wear our bee suits in a bit more comfort!

We all are now experts on keeping bees, and now just await the arrival of the bumblers!

Plant Sales

Last Sunday was the Spring Plant Fair - our biggest money maker of the year! Volunteers and staff arrived at 6am to set up for the big day and we were just ready by the time the gates opened at 11am! Despite the damp start to the day, theweather stayed relatively fine and by the time we had finished packing up for the day, we were almost sunbathing! Despite the long day, we managed to raise a fair few pennies which will help with the moorland conservation work.

But don't panic! If you didn't make it to the plant fair you will still be able to get your bargain plants. The Marsden Moor Estate Yard will be open each Friday between 11am and 2pm for you to pop up and see what delights we have for sale.

The first Friday yard sale will be Friday 4th June. Bring the children along as the Go Potty event will be on, so they can get creative while you browse the plants!