West Yorkshire National Trust Volunteers

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West Yorkshire National Trust Volunteers

WYNTV is a conservation volunteer group founded in 1983 assisting staff at several National Trust locations throughout West and North Yorkshire.

20/09/2026

It was a fine sunny day for our latest visit to NT East Riddlesden Hall. We were working in the community garden where we were asked to clear the fence border and create a bed for fruit bushes. As the photos show it was very overgrown when we began but after several hours of hard work we had it cleared ready for planting. We were all tired by the time we finished but very satisfied with the end result.

06/09/2026

Today we were working at Beningbrough Hall and Gardens clearing beds near the wilderness play area in advance of new planting. We removed roots and stones so the soil was ready for rotovating and in the process uncovered some intriguing flat stones which Trust staff will try to identify. While we were working we heard a loud tearing sound and turned to see the top of a large lime tree in the park come crashing down after a heavy shower. Luckily it was not in an area where visitors walk and no cattle was grazing at the time but it certainly drew everyone's attention!

03/08/2026

A lovely summer's day working at Hardcastle Crags NT Hardcastle Crags once again with the Manchester National Trust Volunteers. We were working in the field at Rom's Folly, somewhere we hadn't worked for a few years. The goal is to remove bracken, balsam and grass and then rake it off to keep the ground nutrient poor and so encourage bluebells and wildflowers. We were split into three groups. One group scything grass (and they did a great job), one group slashing bracken and a third group removing the seed heads from ripe balsam stems (see Sylvia proudly showing her full bag of seeds at the end of the day). A great day all round, and lots of cake/flapjacks for sustenance.

19/07/2026

Today's task was at the Malham Tarn Estate in the National Trust Yorkshire Dales. Working with rangers Hanna and Charlie we spent the morning clearing Broad-leaved Ragwort near Tarn House. Having completed this by lunchtime we divided into two groups for the afternoon. One worked in the old walled garden while the other cleared Alchemilla mollis, otherwise known as lady's-mantle, from around Shepherds Cottage. This ground cover plant, whilst attractive, is invasive and considered undesirable in the SSSI. It was a tiring but rewarding day enjoyed by all, despite the bothersome flies!

05/07/2026

Today we were working at NT Brimham Rocks clearing bracken from footpaths across the moor. The vegetation was making some areas difficult to navigate and working with ranger Ces we cleared the route so walkers can follow the correct path and avoid diversions which might damage habitats.

22/06/2026

With Balsam season well underway today's task was at East Riddlesden NT East Riddlesden Hall down near the river bank. This is an area we have worked in many times before, but this year we were very encouraged to see many more nettles than usual, and so less balsam. The ones that were there were monsters, but pulled up easily. A glorious summers day and always nice to work under the shelter of the trees. If you'd like to join us on a workday, visit https://wyntv.org.uk/ to see if there is a task near you and then contact us for further details https://wyntv.org.uk/contact/

07/06/2026

Nice to return to tasking after a few weeks's break after Borrowdale. Today we were in the sun dappled woodland of Hardcastle Crags pulling up the ever reliable Himalayan Balsam considered an invasive and problematic w**d by many. We were joined by members of the Manchester NT and great to share experiences of tasking, getting new members etc. And they brought cake. Much visitor engagement (what are you doing, you all look very fit, what are you pulling out) and by the end of the day we had left the native species (foxglove, hogw**d and bramble) room to flourish.

28/04/2026

A few more pictures from the weekend taken by Jenny and Steve. Enjoy!

27/04/2026

For lovers of the combination of a stiff fell walk followed by dry stone walling, this was the perfect task 😂😩. A quite spectacular location high above Watendlath, repairing gaps in walls and hence making the pastures safe for the sheep, many of who had new born lambs. We were very pleased with our final repaired walls (three gaps filled) which seemed to be well received. The NT kindly offered an alternative task of litter picking along the lake side for the Sunday morning, but I do not have photo evidence to share. Another fun weekend mixing work and social.

22/02/2026

An excellent day at East Riddlesden Hall doing some construction work. We split into three groups, two building raised beds and a third sawing and nailing slats on a newly reconstructed bridge. The raised bed built into the hillside (Steve, Jenny and James) looked particularly fine. Gorgeous spring sunshine and a very absorbing and rewarding day.

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https://www.wyntv.org.uk/

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