Thanks To..
Along the way, this project will need help. It already has needed quite a lot and we are only 4 months in at the time I write this.
I wanted to acknowledge those people that have gone out of their way with either their time, or financially, to help me along my journey. This list is growing very quickly - a testimony to how, in general, the world is full of really good people. They easily outnumber the idiot-holes.
So, in no particular order (well, slightly chronological order) a HUGE thank you to :
Neil Armitage : Farmer and the seller of the land.
Neil listened to me prior to the land sale and seemed to appreciate what I was trying to achieve. He said to me "last time I sold some land, I didn't accept the highest bid". That was enough information to tell me to get back to work and earn enough money to place a sensible bid. True to his "hint" - I believe Neil didn't accept the highest bid he received, he put my dream and the creation of a wildlife reserve above hard cash - for which I will be forever grateful. The birds and the bee's may be grateful too.
My Wife Claire : Tolerator of crazy projects.
Claire has had to tolerate many daft schemes and dreams before. This one cost her a good chunk of here ISA! And yet I still always refer to it as "my field" when it is in fact half hers. She reminds me of this but says "I know my bit is that horrible boggy bit".
Coal Authority : Fixers of holes.
When a sink hole opened up, it is easy to imagine that calling a government organisation for help would be slow and difficult. Not so the Coal Authority, they fixed it quickly and brilliantly efficiently and minimised the mess and disruption incredibly well. Nice job guys.
David Next Door but 1 - enthusiastic neighbour and generous helper.
I wanted to acknowledge those people that have gone out of their way with either their time, or financially, to help me along my journey. This list is growing very quickly - a testimony to how, in general, the world is full of really good people. They easily outnumber the idiot-holes.
So, in no particular order (well, slightly chronological order) a HUGE thank you to :
Neil Armitage : Farmer and the seller of the land.
Neil listened to me prior to the land sale and seemed to appreciate what I was trying to achieve. He said to me "last time I sold some land, I didn't accept the highest bid". That was enough information to tell me to get back to work and earn enough money to place a sensible bid. True to his "hint" - I believe Neil didn't accept the highest bid he received, he put my dream and the creation of a wildlife reserve above hard cash - for which I will be forever grateful. The birds and the bee's may be grateful too.
My Wife Claire : Tolerator of crazy projects.
Claire has had to tolerate many daft schemes and dreams before. This one cost her a good chunk of here ISA! And yet I still always refer to it as "my field" when it is in fact half hers. She reminds me of this but says "I know my bit is that horrible boggy bit".
Coal Authority : Fixers of holes.
When a sink hole opened up, it is easy to imagine that calling a government organisation for help would be slow and difficult. Not so the Coal Authority, they fixed it quickly and brilliantly efficiently and minimised the mess and disruption incredibly well. Nice job guys.
David Next Door but 1 - enthusiastic neighbour and generous helper.
David, from the first time I met him has been enthusiastic , tolerant and incredibly generous with his time and labours. A powerhouse of activity when jobs need doing, David is always keen to help out - some of the jobs I have done would have been painful and miserable without his assistance! Huge thanks!
Phil of Howkel Carpets : Donator of fabric.
Phil is a good swimming friend and owner of a carpet factory / carpet shop locally that makes great wool carpet (I have first hand experience and they are great quality carpets). Phil is the kind of bloke who if you ask for a favour, he doesn't hesitate to think before offering his help. In fact he often offers it before you ask. A very generous fellow. Anyway, it seems that after I had been spending a small fortune on weed suppressant fabric, carpet backing (the fabric you knit carpet onto) does the exact same job and Phil has miles of it. It is great stuff for laying paths and keeping weeds down. Phil has given me loads of the stuff, please do support his shops, his products are first class and his prices would please even the tightest Yorkshireman!
https://www.howkelcarpets.co.uk , he has shops in Huddersfield and Crossland Moor and his carpets are made in Huddersfield by local people.
The Cinnamon Lounge, Flockton Moor - tolerant neighbours.
Phil of Howkel Carpets : Donator of fabric.
Phil is a good swimming friend and owner of a carpet factory / carpet shop locally that makes great wool carpet (I have first hand experience and they are great quality carpets). Phil is the kind of bloke who if you ask for a favour, he doesn't hesitate to think before offering his help. In fact he often offers it before you ask. A very generous fellow. Anyway, it seems that after I had been spending a small fortune on weed suppressant fabric, carpet backing (the fabric you knit carpet onto) does the exact same job and Phil has miles of it. It is great stuff for laying paths and keeping weeds down. Phil has given me loads of the stuff, please do support his shops, his products are first class and his prices would please even the tightest Yorkshireman!
https://www.howkelcarpets.co.uk , he has shops in Huddersfield and Crossland Moor and his carpets are made in Huddersfield by local people.
The Cinnamon Lounge, Flockton Moor - tolerant neighbours.
These guys tolerated me parking in their car park for a number of weeks as I was building my own parking spaces. Thanks chaps, I fully intend to try the food soon, it smells beautiful.
Nick Ford - Drone Pilot.
Nick rode his motorcycle all the way from Retford to Flockton Moor one summer evening in June 2020 with his amazing drone in his pannier. He managed to capture a brilliant record of how the field looked before we planted so we can compare before and after. It was very much appreciated. Nick intends to do some commercial work with his drone, so if you need a skilled pilot, let me know and I will pass on Nicks details.
Mick O'Donnell - Swimmer and Surveyor.
Mick, great bloke that he is, came over one Friday morning with the most impressive tech to visit the field so far. A £40k theodolite that surveyed the field so that we could establish the heights are various points so that we don't plant trees that will become too tall and wreck the views. If you need a surveyor, Mick has decades of experience and I would be delighted to pass on his details. He is a great (and very funny) guy too.
Hannah Marshall - The Woodland Trust
Hannah has been in contact with me since I first purchased the land. She first came out to visit in late July on a wild and windy day, she is helping with me my planting scheme and her advise has already been invaluable.
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