Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers

It was a Sunday for non-football fans and wide-brimmed sunhats as workday leader David B reports:

On one of the hottest days of the year so far, a big group of volunteers travelled to Benthall for the first time in about 18 months, on account of you-know-what (although it didn’t seem that long). We were given a warm welcome by Gardener in Charge, Nick and Heather, who was assisting on her day off from Head Gardener at Arley Arboretum.

The well-used footpaths around the Benthall estate have suffered from heavy footfall and wet weather over the last year, making many of them very rutted and muddy in particular at the various access gates. To improve things for visitors Nick wanted us to add gravel to these heavily used areas, creating a more even and hard wearing surface.

The group split into three, with two subgroups tackling the gravel work. This involved breaking up the top surface with a mattock or spade to prepare the area, which today was quite difficult as the ground was compacted and dry. Barrow loads of gravel were moved by hand from the back of the Hall to the access gates to then apply and compress down. This was a tough task in the hot and humid conditions as some gates were hundreds of yards away – the downhill slope not really helping. Fortunately, the wheelbarrows had air in their tyres! As the temperatures climbed and the gates got further away, Nick took pity on us and transported the gravel in his mini truck.

Another recent Nick task had been cutting a variety of winding paths through the far meadow. This left a lot of loose grass which the third volunteer group raked up to be removed by Nick and his trusty truck.

Leaving areas of grass uncut throughout May and June allows a lot of wild flowers to flourish. The simple buttercup looks spectacular when left to its own devices in a broad field but the most amazing flowers in Benthall’s meadows are the two varieties of wild orchid that grow in great profusion. I’ve never seen so many orchids in one place!

It’s doubtless a good time to visit Benthall once more, as the garden also looks wonderful.  Something we could see from our lunchtime terrace near the Hall – always great to have a proper table and seats!

Thanks to Nick for making us feel so welcome – thanks too, to others for their chocolate cake – and it’s a well done for Nick’s tremendous efforts to make the grounds look so attractive – before we mucked in!