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7Th June - Task Report

On June 7th we may have set the record for the number of volunteers who turned out: 17 in all! The weeding continued by the single storey building, keeping several people going all day. The single storey building needed a lot of sorting and cleaning to be fit for the students in the summer.

The walling team added a few more important yards to the protection of the topsoil on the western side of the island. We moved our tools from their original home in the Hayloft to where the public toilets used to be.
At the end of the day, we did a patch of Dry Stone Walling to repair a place where it had fallen. I think I can say that everyone was pleased and satisfied with the days work.

Allen Burton

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Mending the gate by the Gazebo Plot    Working hard to flatten the bracken
The gang at work

The writer was recently invited to join a group of workers from Wirral who had been drafted to this part of the undisturbed archipelago lying in the northernmost part of the Dee estuary. It is customary periodically to move groups of workers over to the island to deal with excessive growths of pteridium aquilinium (bracken) which threatens the other plant life, particularly heather. As a botanist, I therefore had an interest in their work.

Over the years it has become apparent that the only effective treatment is to pull the bracken from the ground manually. It has also been observed that those who do the work are subject to a number of disadvantages. These include:-

a. Chronic shortage of sleep arising from the need to work within the times of the tide.
b. Bruising of the buttocks when caused by impact with the ground or falling backwards
when a bracken frond suddenly loses its roothold.
c. Lacerated skin on the hands when mistaking a briar for a bracken frond: (use gloves!).
d. Fatigue brought about by pressure from fellow workers to achieve maximum output.

When questioned by the writer, all the workers present admitted to having been affected by some or all of the elements of the syndrome but they had developed their own remedy which they followed without exception. This was to remain on the island as long as possible and enjoy the unique environment which it offered.

They maintained their group structure to ensure a continuation of the work despite the absence of monetary reward and actually looked upon the island as their friend. They were clearly not keen on my idea of trying to grow a bracken-resistant type of heather, saying it would deprive them of their opportunity to protect the island environment and undermine their reciprocal role as friends of the island. The writer has not pursued the matter further, preferring to join the group on their next excursion.

Achri Sgitt FBP

We are looking for members willing to fill two particular roles.

Risk assessment.

Members’ representative: This person would be the point of contact for members wishing to bring issues to the committee.

We hold 6 meetings a year and work closely as a team. Committee members are expected to attend the meetings and to play a full role in the duties, responsibilities and work of the committee.

If you are interested, please contact our Chairman: Allen Burton 0151 648 7115

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On Saturday, 28th June fifteen eager students joined Sue Craggs to attend a Local History Course which she had arranged on Hilbre Island. As we approached Little Eye Sue asked us to be observant and to mention anything that we noticed. The most notable thing was the strange brick structure, which Sue explained had been an aid to navigation. It used to be lined up with a point on the mainland, probably the old windmill on West Kirby Hill, which was replaced by the Beacon.

Once on Hilbre Island we took our places in the newly fitted out Study Centre. In the first session Sue explained about the primary and secondary sources of information that can be used to build up a picture of events from the past. We then talked about the occupations of the people who lived on Hilbre and looked at a document from 1892 which listed the vessels that sailed from Wirral in October and December 1544.

After lunch Sue gave us a quiz to complete. This was in the form of a list of features to be found on the island and we had to go off and find them. I found it fascinating to explore parts of the island that on task days and open days I do not get the chance to visit. Some of the items on the list I had never heard about. It was interesting to see where the salt cistern was and to learn a little about the salt boiling activities.

This was a very enjoyable day, the purpose of which was not to learn the history of Hilbre Island (although what we did learn about Hilbre was extremely interesting) but to learn how to research local history and not to jump to conclusions. We were all very grateful to Sue for giving up her time and putting in so much work and effort in preparing for this day. She was so well organised and her knowledge about the local area is very impressive. Thank you Sue.

June Atkinson