Mad dogs and SSNTV go out in the midday sun! …well, go out all day actually….
On the hottest day of the year – so far – a small number of SSNTV’ers took the decision not to rest in their gardens all day (if they had them) drinking pims, but to plaster themselves in sun lotion and sweat buckets in the Morville gardens….as workday leader Peter describes:
The select few’s first task was a tour of the Hall estate looking for jobs that might be completed in the shade. It was also a chance to see the gradual changes Mel and her gardener have been making, increasing the planting and taming some of the unruly patches.
Task finding “first place” went to team 1 who managed not to see the sun all day as they cleared an overgrown area of alder and nettles by the oil tank and opened up the access path. No bonfire for the brash though, that can dry out until may be, next time.
Team 2 the long-married couple, got second place with a little sun, as they moved around the garden trimming access around the yew hedges; pruning and weeding the rose beds, skilfully moving in and out of the shade.
Treasurer and Vice Chair ended up with the booby prize, trimming the hornbeam hedge in the top “white” garden in full sun all day.
Thankfully Melanie provided copious amounts of iced lemon water to keep the troops hydrated; along with homemade cakes for our cake o’clock and thereafter; with a treat of ice creams at the end of the day. All sought the little shade in the shadow of the Hall’s high walls and rested – watching the farmers beyond the garden, tossing their hay and then cautiously collecting the huge bales generated, whilst navigating across the sloping valley side. Thanks, Melanie for the hospitality, it was much appreciated.
At the end of a hot day she expressed herself impressed with the amount of work completed, despite the sun!
As she wrote following our visit:…
Dear Peter and the gang,
What an epic day Sunday was! In all that stifling heat and with only a few of you on site, you still managed to work complete wonders without a power tool in sight! I never cease to be amazed by the energy and drive of the SSNTV – a perfect model of team working and always so nice to see you all. I really am very grateful indeed for all three tasks undertaken, please extend my thanks out to the others. The garden is basking in this summer weather, but it’s all the better for having been SSNTV’d…
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 