22nd August 2019

And here we are in summer 2019. Erosion protection, new habitat, an improved corridor for wildlife along the Aire and some more trees that will store carbon. 2020 will be the year to cut it so look forward to more posts next coppicing season.

16th August 2018

Late August and the bank is greening up nicely. There's been a drought and watering by hand with river water has been hard work but now the rain has arrived, it feels worth it. Next job is to pick out the Himalayan balsam.

8th July 2018

Even during a dry spell lasting 8 weeks so far, the spiling is doing well, with thick growth even at the base. The gentle grassy slope is struggling and with new planting of native riverbank flowers, it is a struggle to keep it alive with watering by hand from the river main flow. The stream bed is dry.

9th March 2018

Spring, and the spiling has survived high flows. Here are Environment Agency staff having a look. The bottom curve which takes the brunt of the river's energy, initially suffered some scouring but now is accumulating material including large pebbles. Also, it's nice to see the bare earth beginning to green over.

10th November 2017

Bradford Environmental Education Service plant more young trees to stabilise the bank and provide habitat. These trees willl eventually act as a barrier to the large logs - whole trees in fact - which are brought downstream when the river is in flood. In recent years whole trees have lodged on the bridge. Now, they might not get that far.

1st November 2017

It's looking near completion but here Matt is weaving short pieces of willow into any spaces, to make sure the wall is as dense as we can make it. Notice the brash infill.

18th October 2017

Forest of Bradford volunteers start driving in fence posts, 1m apart. Initially a pilot hole is made using a crowbar. The posts are then sunk by hand to a minimum depth of 18 inches into the river bed. A big bloke called Josh worked without much rest for several days driving in about 90 posts. Our Wendy (5'3") had a go but couldn't actually lift the post driver.