Styal 13 Jan 2013

A beautiful, crisp, sunny January day for the group's first worksite of 2013.

The task was clearing and burning brash made by stripping the trees that the Rangers were felling. This was in an area between the play park and the weir - the area needs clearing in preparation for contractors to come in to build and set of fish steps and a small hydro plant. It will also open up the views between the Mill and the weir.

The weir is too high for the salmon and trout, so the steps will allow them to get past and find the higher reaches of the river which have better spawning conditions. Power generated by the hydro plant will run the machinery in Quarry Bank Mill - a return of sorts to the days when it was powered solely by water.

Five volunteers enjoyed the sunshine, the excellent flapjack and also the potatoes baked in the fire (provided by the Ranger).

extra photos from Nathan