Ty Gwyn 2022

On Saturday, 12th November 2022 I visited the woodland at Ty Gwyn in Wales with Dean. Dean had studied the weather forecasts and picked the date for our trip. After a number of days of high winds and heavy rains, the day of our visit enjoyed sunshine and only mild breezes, giving us a very enjoyable day. We made good time on the drive from Brewood to Wales and, as is something of a habit, stopped at the 'Country Cooks' cafe on the A5 a few miles short of our destination for tea and teacakes. Suitably fortified, we continued to Ty Gwyn, pausing at the farmyard on the way to the woodland to chat to the farmer, Mr. Jones and one of his farming neighbours.

The woodland is accessed through a single gate which has recently been replaced.


Ty Gwyn 2022: The entrance gate and adjacent fencing has been recently renewed

The site includes a shallow valley which runs from the south-west to the north-east. The southern part of the site is served by the 'southern' road leading south-west from the gate, with a parallel 'northern' road accessing the northern sections. The two main roads are linked by a short road across the valley, resulting in a layout like an 'H' on its side. All the roads are of rolled, crushed stone (quarried from just outside the woodland boundary boundary by agreement) and are intended to be suitable for the large lorries employed in removing logs during felling.

But the productive phase of forestry is a once-in-a-generation event. Since I became involved in the already-mature woodland at Ty Gwyn in 1988, I have seen two major felling operations, resulting in most of the site area having been re-planted once. The proceeds of that felling then have to pay not only for re-planting but for maintenance for many years until it is economical to carry out further felling. What determines when felling is worthwyile depends upon many factors - not only tree growth rates, attrition from disease and pests, adverse weather events (particularly fire and windblow) but also on global economic conditions. Because Ty Gwyn was already mature in 1988, an early investment was made in installing the road system described above, in anticipation of early timber sales. But in 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed, bequeathing to a nummber of newly-independent countries well-managed Soviet forests. Seeking foreign exchange, the aggressive selling of this timber by these countries delayed felling at Ty Gwyn for a number of years. Further complications have arisen from the United Kingdom's devolution of powers to Wales (Government of Wales Act 1998, Government of Wales Act 2006 and The Wales Act 2014) with ever-changing legislation.

After the harvesting described in various earlier posts, re-stocking involved manually planting nursery-grown Sitka seedlings. But this intentional planting is augmented by self-regeneration as already-established trees on site go through their cycle of growth. This means that young trees of different ages can be seen everywhere growing conditions are favourable, which is often the roads themselves. Periodic flailing is necessary to keep the roads open to ordinary vehicles. Being unsure of the state of the forest roads, we decided to park at the gate and conduct our inspection on foot. The picture below shows a healthy-looking self-set Sitka at the roadside near the fascinating horizontal webs we found around the site


Ty Gwyn 2022: Sitka self-regeneration and horizontal disc-like webs on the heather, highlighted by water droplets

The view below shows the satisfactory growth of the 2010 planting on the left. The taller trees in the left background are the unfelled remains of the 1995 planting. The later 2016 planting is on the right and not really visible here because of the inclined ground.


Ty Gwyn 2022: Looking south-west on the southern road from just inside the access gate, with the 2010 re-stocking on the left Although growth rates are good, it will be many years before these trees are as mature as those shown below, which shows the previous trees to occupy this area in 2006, prior to felling, again looking south-west along the southern road but from a position outside the access gate.


Ty Gwyn 2006: Looking south-west on the southern road, before harvesting of timber

We took the link road across the valley to get a better view of the 2016 planting which lies on both sides of the link road, filling the valley floor. Because of satisfactory growth rates, a programme of 'respacing' is currently being implemented where weaker trees are removed to improve the growth of the remaining trees. This is discussed further in a Forestry Commission publication linked in 'References' below.


Ty Gwyn 2022: View looking east from the link road, giving a better idea of the progress of the 2015 planting. Note the wind turbines in the distance

We first inspected the eastern end of the northern road, leading to the Pool.


Ty Gwyn 2022: View fronm the eastern end of the northern road, looking down the track leading to the Pool

On the western arm of the northern road, we found two types of fungus. The first seemed to be a mature puffball, wuth the dark central pore open to allow wind and rain to disperse the spores - possibly Apioperdon. The second had a traditional 'toadstool' shape with a red cap - perhaps Fly Agaric or a Russula? We were not tempted to snack.


Ty Gwyn 2022: At various locations along the northern road, we found this interesting fungus


Ty Gwyn 2022: At various locations there were examples of this fungus

Returning to the link road, I took this shot looking east.


Ty Gwyn 2022: View looking east along the northern road, with the 1995 protective strip on the left and the 2016 planting at lower level on the right, together with various broadleaves

Finally, we inspected the west end of the south road. Dean went to the end of the road but I stopped a little short, as I was tiring.


Ty Gwyn 2022: Looking west along the south road with the 2016 planting on the right.

Walking back to the car, Dean suggested collecting one of the 'respaced' trees which had been cut down by chainsaw to allow adjacent trees to thrive so, for the very first time, Brewood Hall has had a (modest) Christmas Tree actually grown at Ty Gwyn!

Reference

Respacing naturally regenerating Sitka spruce and other conifers
(Forestry Commission)

My posts about Ty Gwyn

You can find all my posts about Ty Gwyn here (in reverse date-of-posting order), with links to albums of pictures.

Pictures of Ty Gwyn

Pictures from this visit are at Ty Gwyn 2022
You can find all my albums of pictures of Ty Gwyn here.

Brewood Garden Party 2022

On 16th July 2022, Brewood Garden Party was held, for the eighth time, in the garden at Brewood Hall.

The previous garden party had been in 2019 and, although intended to be annual, planned events in 2020 and 2021 had been cancelled because of the Covid19 pandemic. Early in 2022, the organising committee (representing 2nd Brewood Scouts, Brewood Parish Church and the informal group Friends of Brewood Hall) met and agreed that we should, if circumstances allowed, run the event in 2022. A series of meetings were held in the following months to plan the details.

Publicity

As in previous events, a 'flyer' was printed and distributed to households around Brewood by the Scouts. In 1922, the local free magazine 'Villager' published an illustrated article in their June edition.

Setting Up

On the evenings of Thursday 14th July and Friday 15th July, the marquees, tents, tables, chairs and other items needed were brought to Brewood Hall from various locations using cars towing trailers. Brewood Scouts and other volunteers erected the tents and arranged the seating areas. This work was completed on the morning of the Garden Party, with the children's games, refreshment tent and temporary electrics being completed in time for the public to be admitted at noon. The Garden Party, lasting just four hours, requires a lot of commitment from those involved before, during and after the event.


Just some of the materials brought in on trailers for the event: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022


One of the tubular-framed marquee being erected: Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022

A Little Local Difficulty

Two days before the event, the writer tested positive for Covid19. I'd had the three inoculations specified for a person of my age at the time and it was the first time I'd contracted Covid so it was a bit of a surprise. Not wishing to be the cause of a "Brewood Super-spreader Event" I realised that I would be self-isolating in Brewood Hall during the Garden Party, just able to watch through the windows! So my report is rather second-hand this time and largely relies on pictures taken by others. My infection was fairly benign with symptoms similar to a bad cold persisting for a little over a week.

The Event

The weather leading up to the Garden Party had been unusually hot, giving rise to the fear that the event might be unpleasantly warm. On the morning of the Garden Party, there had been a very brief, light shower after which the weather became perfect with bright sun, warm but not oppresive.

Peter Plowright was a welcoming presence on the admissions table throughout the afternoon.


Peter Plowright manning the Admission Desk: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The event was opened by the Staffordshire Corps of Drums, in their impressive, colourful ceremonial uniforms, with a precision, musical display.


The event opened with a display by Staffordshire Corps of Drums: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The Refreshment Tent, with its selection of drinks and food, quickly became a focus and remained well-patronised throughout the afternoon.


Some of the volunteers from Brewood Post Office and Brewood Co-op who helped to staff the Refreshment Tent: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The ideal weather encouraged visitors to relax in the open air at the numerous tables outside the Refreshment Tent or wander around the variety of stalls.


Brewood Garden Party 2022

For a number of years, the Cannock Performing Arts Centre provided music at the Brewood Garden Party with two talented bands. Their activities had not yet recovered from the malign effects of the Covid Pandemic and they were unable to appear in 2022. However, we were able to welcome a local group, Hubbub, on their first public appearance and, with guitars and keyboard, they provided mellow music during the afternoon well-matched to the relaxed mood of the event.




A newly-formed local group, Hubbub, provided mellow music at Brewood Garden Party 2022

For the first time, Greensforge Sailing Club (who are based at the nearby Gailey water reservoir) displayed the popular RS Tera dinghy they use for training. This created a lot of interest.


The popular RS Tera dinghy displayed by Greensforge Sailing Club at Brewood Garden Party 2022

Also for the first time, local charity Bethany Children's Home, based in Wombourne, had a stall to promote their work in connection with the orphanage they built in Dhading, Nepal.


Bethany Children's Home stall: Brewood Garden Party 2022

In 2019, a Pizza Van had been a popular innovation. In 2022 Al's Pizzas offered wood-fired pizzas from a striking customised van parked on the grass just outside the entrance.


Al's Pizzas: Brewood Garden Party 2022

The Village Pantry provided a stall and, in addition, a mobile ice-cream van made a visit.


The Village Pantry Stall at Brewood Garden Party 2022

The beer tent made a welcome return and was kept busy, offering cold soft drinks, lager, Pimms and, until stocks ran out, Greene King's craft 'Level Head' ale.


The Beer Tent: Brewood Garden Party 2022

We were pleased to welcome back Chase Ferret Rescue, with their attractive animals. Some readers may be unaware that Cannock Chase (or simply 'the Chase') is a nearby area historically connected to Brewood.


Dean and ferret friend: Brewood Garden Party 2022

This was the first Garden Party since the opening of Brewood Community Hub and they provided a stall to display the variety of activities on offer there. They advertise regular clubs called Baby Sling, Art Club, Bouncing Bunnies, Dementia Support Group, Sewcialise, Weight Watchers, Yoga, Table Tennis. Rooms are used by Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides and Brownies and are available for hire for children’s parties or meetings.


The Sewing Club at Brewood Community Hub: Brewood Garden Party 2022

Once again, Brewood Parish Church provided an imposing Plants and Produce Stall, which was sited along the front elevation of the Hall.


Plants and Produce stall: Brewood Garden Party 2022

A wide range of prizes was on offer for the lucky winners at tombola.


Tombola prizes displayed behind the tombola drum: Brewood Garden Party 2022

Our many younger visitors were well-catered for. The ever-popular Coconut Shy was kept busy, as were 'Hook-a-Duck' and Teddy Tombola. There was a colourfully-decorated Tuck Shop, a Book Stall and a 'Soft Archery' range.


The ever-popular Coconut Shy: Brewood Garden Party 2022


Tuck Shop: Brewood Garden Party 2022


'Hook-a-Duck' and Teddy Tombola: Brewood Garden Party 2022


Archery for Children using arrows tipped with rubber suckers: Brewood Garden Party 2022

As in 2019, the 2-foot gauge steam locomotive 'Phoenix' appeared as a static exhibit, this time with smoke curling from the distinctively-shaped chimney.


'Phoenix' at Brewood Garden Party 2022

As an innovation in 2022, John Groves, a local farmer, displayed a classic farm tractor for young people to admire.


John Groves, a local farmer, displayed a classic tractor: Brewood Garden Party 2022

A section of the front lawn had been marked out with a series of parallel white lines, forming a short running track, allowing a number of Children's Races, with small prizes, to be held during the event.

After the Event

The Event closed at four o'clock but, of course, there was still lots of work for the volunteers. Admissions money and stall takings were counted on the day by Marion and the writer with Geoff then arranging refund of sums advanced by volunteers and distribution of nett proceeds to the benefiicary charities.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: Marion counting cash

Dismantling the stalls and Marquees was started on the day but loading up trailers and returning equipment to storage was spead over a couple of days.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: Dismantling marquees after the event

It was naturally disappointing that Covid prevented me from attending the eighth Brewood Hall Garden Party but I was touched that members of the organising committee afterwards presented me, as current chatelaine of Brewood Hall, with a magnificent floral display.


Brewood Hall Garden Party 2022: The writer, as owner of Brewood Hall, was presented with a magnificent bouquet

Reports on previous garden parties at Brewood Hall

Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2013.
Brewood Vintage Garden Party 2014.
Brewood Garden Party 2015.
Brewood Garden Party 2016.
Brewood Garden Party 2017.
Brewood Garden Party 2018.
Brewood Garden Party 2019.

Related posts on other websites

2nd Brewood Scouts
Greensforge Sailing Club
Chase Ferret Rescue


Pictures of the event

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the link below and display or download the image in various resolutions.

Brewood Garden Party 2022

'Lionsmeet' 2022 Worcester

The Old Locomotive Committee (OLCO) normally visits a different model engineering society each year for a day of running live steam models of 'Lion' (and similar elderly prototypes up to around 1850) combined with friendly discussions of the joys and problems of this type of model building. The event is known as 'Lionsmeet'. However, following the event held at Bournemouth in 2019 (report here), the Covid19 pandemic prevented events in 2020 and 2021. On 13th August 2022, the event resumed, accepting the invitation from Worcester and District Model Engineers

History of the Worcester and District Club

The club was founded in 1946 and a straight multi-gauge track (2 1/2, 3 1/2 and 5 inch) 100 yards long was built in Gheluvelt Park, Worcester.


First day of public opening in 1948 at Gheluvelt Park, with Alf Castle driving 'Lady Rosalie' (Photo: Worcester News)

Expansion at Gheluvelt Park (the name commemorates the 2nd Battalion, Worcester Regiment's role in the World War I Battle of Gheluvelt, Belgium) was not possible but the local council offered the present site in Waverley Street, Diglis to allow a continuous run to be constructed.

The continuous raised track (3 1/2 and 5 inch gauge) 230 yards long was opened in 1954 but, after long service, was renewed and re-opened by the Mayor of Worcester in 1999. Latterly, 2 1/2 inch gauge running has been added to the continuous track.

The adjacent club house was originally built as a workshop only, but as tea and cakes became popular on public running days, a kitchen extension was added in 1963 to improve refreshment facilities.

In 1968, a second, continuous ground level track (3 1/2, 5, and 7 1/4 inch gauge) was built inside the original, raised track. The inner, ground level track is looped over a bridge (with gradients of around 1 in 100 approaching and leaving the bridge) to give a length of 350 yards. In 2002, refurbishment of the bridge decking was completed. More recent projects for the ground level circuit include sleeper replacement, re-ballasting and new 7 1/4 inch gauge rolling stock.


Aerial view of Worcester & District Model Engineers track (Photo: WDMES)

Getting there

I'd originally arranged transport by road with a relative but, at short notice, a difficulty arose. Then I thought "I can go by train!", until I discovered that strike action affecting a number of Train Operating Companies made that impossible. The Chairman of OLCO, John Brandrick, came to my rescue, as he was driving down from Lancashire on the morning of 'Lionsmeet 2022' and offered to detour to my home to pick me up. We had an enjoyable drive to Worcester, discussing various railway matters.

Refreshments

We were made very welcome by the host club and Hot and Cold drinks with various cakes were available at the refreshment area throughout the day. An excellent buffet lunch was served at lunch time.


OLCO members enjoying the refreshment facilities, WDMES: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester

Informal Running

OLCO members who ran their models enjoyed exclusive access to both the elevated and ground level circuits. Until, I think, Lionsmeet 2013 OLCO members would engage in a not-too-serious competition to see which model could perform the greatest 'work done' in ten minutes. In the following year, the format changed to 'informal running' which seemed well-received by members and so, to date, the competition has not been reinstated.

John Dalton from Chelmsford was first into steam and he had the inner, ground-level circuit to himself with his splendid 7 1/4 inch gauge 'Lion'. His attractive driving truck is in the form of a Great Western open wagon and it's equipped with a vacuum brake.


John Dalton's 7.25" 'Lion' with multifunction Driving Truck on the inner circuit at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester

Lifting the hinged seat on the driving truck reveals the'works' - a sealed rechargeable lead-acid battery powering a vacuum pump for the brake cylinder. A small control panel has pushbuttons for 'Brake Off' and 'Brake On' (it is not designed as a 'proportional' brake) and a brake gauge. During preparation, the battery can be used to power an electric fan as a blower, so as to be independent of 'shore supplies'.


John Dalton's Driving Truck incorporates a battery to power both an electric blower during lighting up and a vacuum pump for the brake cylinder on the Driving Truck during running: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester

Three 5 inch gauge 'Lion' models were steamed on the outer, elevated track - A J Richards' 'Lion', Alan Banks' 'Thunderbolt' and Jon Swindlehurst's 'Lion'. They were prepared on elevated steaming bays (5 inch or dual 3 1/2 and 5 inch gauge) radiating from a dual gauge turntable which allows locomotives to be transferred to and from the outer, elevated circuit via a traverser.


A J Reynolds readies his 'Lion' in the steaming bays: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Alan Banks preparing 'Thunderbolt' in the steaming bays: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Jon Swindlehurst preparing his 'Lion' in the steaming bays: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


John Dalton, with his 7 1/4 inch gauge 'Lion', crossing over the bridge: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


A J Reynolds 'Lion' setting off: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Alan Banks driving 'Thunderbolt' on the outer, elevated circuit: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Jon Swindlehurst pauses for a chat whilst running his 5 inch gauge, well-known model of 'Lion'. The Exhibition marquee is in the background: 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Four 'Lion' models steamed at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester. In the foreground, John Brandrick is a passenger as 'Thunderbolt' pauses, with Jon Swindlehurst waiting behind and A J Reynolds also stopped further back near the marquee. Meanwhile, John Dalton has the inner track to himself.

Exhibition Tent

To enable various models and models-in-progress (many from members of the host club) to be shown, a large marquee, provided with tables and chairs, had been erected. It was a few moments before I realised that the rather curious profile of the tent was because an even larger marquee, ingeniously, had been only part assembled. A fascinating selection of models was displayed here, including Jon Swindlehurst's nearing-completion 7 1/4 inch gauge 'Lion', which he tells me has been run successfully on air.


General view of marquee display, showing two 'Lion' models with ballast trains, displayed by Jackie and Bryan Buckley at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


L: 3.5" 'Lion' and (behind) 'Rainhill', R: two 'Lion' models with ballast trains, all displayed by Jackie and Bryan Buckley at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


Cylinders and valve gear for 5" gauge 'Lion', displayed by Will Taylor at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


5" gauge 'Lion', displayed by Tim and Neil Bottle at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester


7.25" gauge 'Lion', displayed by Jon Swindlehurst at 'Lionsmeet' 2022, Worcester. This new model has already been satisfactorily run using air.

Overall Impression

It wasn't the best attended 'Lionsmeet' that's been run (I suspect the Covid19 Pandemic may still be exerting a lasting effect) but it was certainly one of the more memorable, partly because of the opportunity to meet face-to-face after being restricted to remote communication for so long, partly because of the good weather but mainly because of the welcome Worcester and District Model Engineers gave us.

Related posts on other websites

Worcester and District Model Engineers (Facebook)

Related posts on this website

To find all my posts about the Old Locomotive Committee and the locomotive 'Lion', click here or select 'OLCO' under 'Labels to select a blog topic'.

My pictures at Worcester

Lionsmeet 2022

Depending on the display device, the right hand edge of pictures may not display. To see an uncropped image, click on the picture. Alternately, you can find the image by following the 'My pictures' links and display or download the image in various resolutions.