Letter to the public regarding boundary -OT

[Keithj]

I must remember not to cross you ladies unless I'm wearing my cassock and carrying my case!

 

[vicky whitworth]

Like your style, Moo. :wink:
How's your broomstick? I'm thinking of de-gingering Albert and painting him black.

 

[Penners]

I'm thinking of de-gingering Albert

Well, there's a sentence you don't read every day....

:?

 

[vicky whitworth]

There's not much to do down here. Times is desperate.

 

[JoceAndChris]

I'm very grateful for the good advice given in this thread and glad I didn't draw attention to this alteration to the walkers' access to private fields. The fencing is now complete, and during the 2 weeks of work here hasn't been a single grumble - well, not to me anyway.

The fence is lovely - I think so anyway!

Our new gate and access point - I just need PP for a pretty garage now! And to chop down those trees in the middle.

The new/old public footpath, and the proposed "road" by Vantage Land. (tractor access to the bottom lots anyhow)

Dogs can no longer snack on chickens so readily from the west side.

Very happy week for BC.

 

[Penners]

Excellent news, Joce!

 

[Schoolmarm]

Oooh it looks lovely. Strainer post set up is different around here though. It took me a few minutes to work out how yours took the strain, then spotted the diagonal wire arrangement.

 

[Flyfisher]

Good job Joce - when does the livestock arrive? :wink:

Interesting comment about the bracing arrangements, 'marm. Prior to undertaking some fencing of my own I read up on the various methods and found quite a variety of things such as bracing. I believe some methods may be more suitable for certain soil types but it's also interesting to think that there could be definite regional variations or preferences.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Gosh, not something I'd ever thought about. I'm so glad we didn't take on the challenge of fencing ourselves- watching them, it was a hard job for two strong blokes with a tractor, and post-fixing attachment, due to the gradient, stones, and trees. I know FF and FW have done it but it must be pretty shattering.

They certainly have put their stamp on this hill as everyone is using them.

The sheep lady is meant to be coming tonight to have a look!

Also, these fencers, (who are farmers in a small way) said to reveal the ha-ha with a JCB -just dig out a ditch in front of it and get rid of all the brambles, ivy and saplings at the same time - it sounds like a good plan to me. I could hire one for £60 apparently.

 

[Penners]

Strainer post set up is different around here though. It took me a few minutes to work out how yours took the strain, then spotted the diagonal wire arrangement.

Well spotted, 'Marm! I hadn't noticed that, but it looks a very sensible arrangement for any situation where a normal diagonal strainer might risk pushing into the ground. I reckon we risk that problem around here, so I shall use Joce's arrangement for a structure that I'm building in the autumn.

Thank you so much for highlighting that.

 

[Penners]

reveal the ha-ha with a JCB...I could hire one for £60 apparently.

I think you might have to factor some additional costs into the JCB hire - like the cost of rebuilding a ha-ha.

Unless you've got earthmoving* skills that we don't know about!




*Cue jokes about the earth moving.... 8)

 

[Flyfisher]

I was going to make that point (not the earthmoving joke :wink: ). A local 'man-with-a-digger' is likely to work out cheaper than hiring a digger and using it yourself. Lot's of fun, of course, but probably nowhere near as fast or neat. Plus, as Penners rightly points out they are powerful machines and could easily make a big hole in your haha brickwork.

Having said that, I do think BC deserves a 'working' haha. The aspect is perfect and it would be wonderful to watch over your grazing sheep without a fence spoiling your view.

I would ask the fencing people if they know of a man-with-a-digger. They might even have one themselves.

 

[Penners]

I do think BC deserves a 'working' haha.

I agree entirely.

 

[JoceAndChris]

In that case I'll give up the idea of a fun weekend with a JCB. I do know a very good man who has one, and is reasonable in what he charges. I suppose if I get him to stay about a metre from the brickwork that should protect it. And to keep off our electricity cable, fortunately I have a photograph of where that channel was dug.

Thank you for the warning.

 

[MdB]

I suppose if I get him to stay about a metre from the brickwork that should protect it.

For somebody that uses a JCB regularly, they should be able to get a lot closer than that without hitting anything.

With no skills whatsoever, I went right down the side of the greenhouse with the trench and didn't manage to hit it (though a few trees weren't so lucky). A skilled driver would be able to do a lot better.

 

[Moo]

Don't take any risks, Joce. That haha will be one of the crowning glories of BC.

 

[Schoolmarm]

When we fence, we always sink the diagonal braces in at the bottom in such a way that it is pushing against the underground base of the next pole along. The top of it is usually notched into the giant strainer post about a fifth of the way down.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Cor, I didn't understand a word of that 'marm! 8)

With no skills whatsoever, I went right down the side of the greenhouse with the trench and didn't manage to hit it (though a few trees weren't so lucky). A skilled driver would be able to do a lot better.

Very impressive. That really does look like fun! I don't think me driving one is such a good idea though, having seen how many bits I've managed to make drop off our car...

Don't take any risks, Joce. That haha will be one of the crowning glories of BC.

Such a nice thing to say - I hope so, I've been picking some more bits off it and it's in pretty good condition for its age, the top course is missing here and there, and the bit opposite the music room has come to grief, but there are plenty of bricks from it lying round to make repairs.

The local people to whom I will be giving free grazing seem very keen to help me reveal it (for a reasonable fee) - the plan is to drag the earth away from it down the hill as over time it's become banked up. Dragging the earth away will have the added benefit of rooting up the ivy and brambles on which I've been making only a very slow attack, with fairly disappointing results. The Cow Man (who is also a builder) says he has a flail cutter too - so what with Chris and his chainsaw, this man and his JCB and flail cutter, I think we can restore the original design of sheep nibbling up to the haha. It means the loss of a few plum and rowan trees - although maybe one or two could be left in isolation and just focus on clearing the holly that's in the way.

When it comes to the brickwork it will be me picking off the ivy by hand and then perhaps spraying it with Roundup, and then putting the bricks back. Fortunately there's no mortar to worry about.

 

[Moo]

A flail-cutter - ooh, that makes me feel a bit squeamish (as does the idea of strimmers). Just think of all the creatures that have been living happily in that environment, blissfully unaware that they and their babies will soon be sliced in two.......

 

[Penners]

it will be me picking off the ivy by hand and then perhaps spraying it with Roundup

If you do pull out the ivy by hand, Joce, wait for fresh new leaves to grow before you spray. Here's the advice on ivy from the Roundup website:

Spray new, soft leaf growth in spring before the wax layer thickens and hardens, from May onwards, with Roundup Tree Stump & Root Killer or Roundup Ultra 3000 to directly apply where weed is too near desirable species for spraying. Where ivy is growing upwards and has a distinguishable trunk it can be cut and the freshly cut stump painted with a 20% solution of Tree Stump and Root Killer or Roundup Ultra 3000 during the dormant season between October and March.