Neil and Rich had the task of fixing a grassy hard stand in front of a new interpretation board explaining the 'High Hirst Wood Meadow Project' We were using plastic grids kindly supplied by British Recycled Plastics to prevent future erosion of the grass in front of the board. A lot of discussions to work out how we should go about it, but we are pretty confident our ideas should work.
More about The High Hirst Wood Meadow Project
The aim is to restore the former hay meadow, a species-rich
ancient grassland with rare plant and fungi. Native woodland tree planting, the creation of
a wetland area and the establishment of a community orchard will enhance its
biodiversity.
The project is part of Hebden Royd Town Council's Climate Emergency and
Biodiversity initiative and the local community are actively engaged in the
management of the meadow, for example in annual haymaking activities.
The new interpretation panels and signage were funded by a Heritage Lottery
grant which also paid for a new easier-access path to the viewpoint at the top of the site.
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The site of the hard stand was on sloping ground - bit of a challenge!
The first job was to create a rectangular frame to house the grids. This involved accurate measuring and some trimming of the grid lugs to ensure a tight fit.
On to the site where the new interpretation sign had been installed.
The first task was to place the grid in the right place and then dig out a horizontal site for the platform (lots of spirit level use). Excavated turfs and earth were temporarily stored on a tarpaulin so the surrounding grass was not covered with it.
Once we were satisfied, we inserted the frame and secured it with pegs (and checked the grids still fitted).
The next job was to deal with the lowest corner where we inserted a couple of lengths of 4" x 2" (100 mm x 50 mm) timbers.
Now ready to get the internal level right - tamping, raking, filling hollows with a trowel (then put the grids in to check (and then repeat . . . three times!)
Now ready for the turfs that had been cut to the correct depth and soaked.
Neil then used a bit of violence to insert the grids into the turfs. The grids are amazingly robust!
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Rich (on hands and knees . . . again) positioned the turfs and using a club hammer and some scrap timber, inserted the turfs into the grid
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The finished product - still soaking wet but the grass should soon flourish.
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Neil will be going back to do a bit of finishing off and make sure the turfs don't dry out.
