On Sunday a merry band of nine SSNTVers headed over to Shugborough for a battle with marauding nettles, advancing grass and other organic invaders that had significantly encroached into the beds surrounding the historic Shepherd’s monument, writes workday leader Matt.
After having careful tuition from gardener Derek as to what was a weed and what wasn’t, we dived headlong into clearing out the beds and edging the naughty grass back to where it should be!
Following an awesome cake o’clock with yummy parkin and a rich and creamy choccy cake (thanks Mags and Leela!), we quickly cracked on raking the beds over and giving the proper plants room to expand and thrive.
After lunch we continued in the beds behind and to the other side of the monument until the invaders had been repelled and order restored once more.
However, despite our best laid plans and crossed fingers, we had a distinct feeling of deja-vu (see 4th July!!) when the black clouds overhead decided to give us a healthy downpour just as we were packing up!
At least next week we’ll already be wearing waders as it’s our annual reed-pulling workday at Morville!
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 