Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers

Workday leader Peter reports from near Much Wenock….With the weather looking bright after a mixed Saturday, plenty of intrepid volunteers turned up at the Stretton Westwood quarry site beside Wenlock Edge.  SSNTV were joined by rangers Al and Kate, as well as the owner of the adjoining land.

Our task was to continue clearance – this time around the bottom corner of the site so a footpath can be created from the car park at the top, through to the bottom and out onto the bridle path and thus on to Much Wenlock. We navigated around the undulations of the spoil heaps at the back of the quarry away from the road.

The task: take out trees of varying sizes to determine the likely route for the path and open up the undergrowth to increase light levels and encourage new flora and fauna. With a large group hacking and cutting, soon a big bonfire was burning and a second fire was called for, so a secluded spot right in the corner of the sit was lightly cleared.

The day’s other unexpected task was collecting up the large amount of rubbish that came off the site.  This kept Chairman Chris and Dave M busy for most of the day.

The quarry contains spoil from the Much Wenlock flood elimination scheme from 2016 / 17-  with the sculpted quarry bottom creating a new landscape to encourage all forms of wildlife. The Trust started work in 2018 and we were told in summer clumps of orchids can be seen on the site – with patches of up to three hundred flowers in one location now.

SSNTV kept to their high standards – which meant an impressed Al by the end of the day.  As a result a return visit later in the year was promised!