December bonfire and work day

First start a fire using wood from a fallen tree and farmyard rubbish such as coloured binder twine.

Baked potatoes had been prepared by Chris and Dave.  There were options for bacon, cheese and vegetarian, wrapped in foil, cooked at home in the oven, packed into sweet tins (sitting on wire netting).

Then placed into the fire.  The result was excellent crispy bacon wrapped baked potatoes - hot but not burnt.  Add sausage rolls from Alan, Chocolate Fudge from Sarah and lots of cakes from Ron.

Sarah and Ron checking one of the bird boxes next to the Hall o'the Heath orchard. 

The end......

HCV North West in Bloom Award

Haslington Conservation Volunteers picked up the Conservation and Environmental Award at the North West in Bloom 2011 in Southport.

Some of the Conservation Volunteers were present at the Haslington Best Kept Garden Awards on Saturday where the award was shared with the village.  [Pete, Ron, Richard, Chris & Dave]

Thanks to Dave for going to the Southport Awards to pick up the trophy.

More of the group with the award during the December work day at Hall o'the Heath Farm.  Colin with the certificate, and Dave Gilbert with the glass. 

Bird Boxes 2011

Bird box making at the Zan Industrial Park with the Haslington Conservation Volunteers, April 2011.

Stage 1 was treating the timber with either green or brown fence preservative.  The planks were then cut up into appropriate lengths to form a kit of parts for each box.  This all happened prior to the Sunday work day.

Holes of either 30 or 32 mm were drilled in the front panel as the sides, base and front were screwed together onto the back piece.  The lids are held in position with short narrow strips of wood, to hold the lid squarely in position.

The boxes will need a quick second coat of preservative and they will be ready for sale on the village fun day.