Well, not exactly, but we did undertake some work for Crown Estates in Devizes for the reduction of overhanging willow on Crown Estate.
A group of 3 willow trees had become too tall for their position and were in need of a reduction.
Author: Debbie Newman
Dorset County Council framework agreement
Following on from our last newsletter when we told you about our framework agreement with the Forestry Commission, Conservation Contractors has now been awarded a framework agreement with Dorset County Council. This includes tree works, weed control, fencing and agricultural services thus demonstrating we are able to support our clients with the full range of services required to maintain their land and infrastructure.
We look forward to working with all at DCC again.
Team news at Mountain Mayhem
It was nice to have a team day away at Mountain Mayhem – off-road buggies and hovercraft racing and time trials… We managed to break two buggies and even a hovercraft! If you think you can drive, go and try the hovercraft – they are a great leveller !!
Good day had by all which was well organised and professional. Well done to all at Mountain Mayhem
This was followed by a meal for everyone and partners at The Well in Bulkington, which again was a well organised evening thanks to Tim and Sam.
Dismantling 12 Poplar trees at The Hall Estate, Bradford on Avon
Dan and Matt started a sectional dismantling 12 Poplar trees at The Hall Estate, Bradford on Avon which were 120′ high. Having a head for heights is one of the more important requisites of the guys on our team! What a glorious blue sky – haven’t seen one like that for a few weeks! Job done and all wood chipped for biomass and delivered locally.
See our images below and here Matt shows how to rig off a large limb safely and controlled. It does not look big from on the ground. In all, this project took 2 weeks to complete. Our tree works have taken us far and wide from Cornwall to Corby since our last newsletter!
Forestry Commission
Since our last update, we are delighted to confirm that we have secured a framework agreement with the Forestry Commission for the inspection of infected trees across the South West of England This also includes felling infected trees and collecting samples. This will take us from Gloucester down through Dorset and to East Devon.
Plotting infected trees for landowners and public bodies, with samples taken and returned to Forestry Commission for testing, follows on from a contract to survey over 50 sites for a national health care company from Preston in Lancashire in the north to Kent in the south, along with MoD sites throughout the South West. Apparently the little white van now needs replacing !
Refurbishment of viewing area at Larkhill
We won the contract to refurbish the viewing area at Larkhill on the edge of Salisbury Plain. The viewing area is used for Military Displays as well as the British Army live Firepower Demonstration.
Back in March 2014, we set about cutting the grass which had been uncut for a number of years. We re-fenced the rear of the seating/grandstand area with 400m new post and rail, replaced and repaired the concrete steps and installed a new access track. The final job was to replace 3000 linear metres of hardwood timber seating (see picture), which involved removing the old, sourcing replacements, painting and repairing all steel supports and then fixing new boards.
The new viewing area was then ready for The Royal Review which was celebrated on 26th May 2016, the 30th Anniversary of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Her Majesty The Queen was present and received The Captain-General’s Baton.
Read Her Majesty The Queen’s speech here
Post and rail fencing at Manton Grange, Marlborough
In May we erected and replaced additional creosote post and rail fencing at Manton Grange, Marlborough. This allowed the paddocks to be divided, thus giving increased turnout areas for the growing numbers of horses.
Domestic close board fencing, Devizes
This was just a replacement for some old fencing in Devizes which had seen better days and which we replaced in April. 40m long and 1.8m high, this will last a good 10 – 15 years even longer if a coat of treatment is given every few years.
Removing self-set alder trees outside Devizes
In March we used our 360° digger to remove self-set alder trees on a lake outside Devizes. Part of an ongoing project with plenty to undertake, work is carried out in small lots to allow the natural balance of the water and habitat to remain
This was part of an ongoing project with plenty to undertake: thus work is carried out in small lots to allow the natural balance of the water and habitat to remain undisturbed. We have submitted an application to the Environment Agency or an extraction licence to take water to fill the lake which has been approved; this will help raise water quality over the summer.
Unimog
We’re very excited with our new-to-us additional Unimog. We purchased it from Belgium, brought it back in October, had it re-sprayed and fully serviced with new brakes and air valves and she’s now ready for work with a wood chipper on the back with a 1.5 ton capacity. We’ll certainly be able to access any tricky off-road areas you have…
And do you know the origin of this odd name? The Unimog is a range of multi-purpose auto four wheel drive medium trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz. The word is an acronym for the German “Universal Motor-Gerät”, Gerät being the German for device/machine/instrument/apparatus. There, you needed to know that!
