Mending fences

In my last post I wrote that I had a number of dry weather jobs to do before Hill Top opened its doors for the new season, and one of those jobs was to replace the paddock fence. 
Unfortunately (but rather predictably) it rained, and then it rained some more and then it snowed a bit before turning back to rain. But the Ranger team, who's assistance I had called on, are made of stern stuff and not deterred by torrential rain and ankle deep mud so we carried on regardless.

The first task was to remove the old fence. I had already taken the rails off with the help of volunteer Dean and taken out most of the staples holding the rabbit netting on. The old posts came out quite easily with the aid of my home made post puller, although we did have to dig out the 'straining posts' which were deeply buried. 

My home made post pulling contraption made light work of the old posts

New posts, neatly laid out

The new posts, sawn from larch from our own woods, were hammered in to the old post holes making sure they were straight, upright and parallel with each other. The rails could then be nailed on, making sure they followed the slope of the ground. 

Snowing!

 After that, the straining wires were stapled onto the posts and tightened to provide a firm support for the new rabbit netting which was held in place with 'hog rings'. The bottom of the netting was buried in the ground to deter any really determined bunnies from burrowing under the fence.

It all got a bit muddy

The last job was to cut the tops off the new posts to make them all the same height and chamfer the rough edges with a surform (no-one likes splinters)!

The useable old posts and rails will be repurposed as compost bins or added to my log pile and used to keep my house warm next winter. The old wire will go for scrap.

Just as we were getting the fence finished, Russ and Damien from our building department arrived to put up the new rose trellis. Also made from home grown larch, it's a slightly different design, based on an old photo from 1914. 

Although both the fence and the trellis look a bit new at the moment, the wood will weather to a silvery colour over the coming months and blend in nicely with their surroundings.

All finished (and still raining)!

Huge thanks to Claire, Craig, Paul, Jaz, Paul, Jo, Russ, Damien and Dean who all helped and I dedicate this months musical link to them.

Bye for now.

Words and pictures by Pete the Gardener

Love is in the air (cue for a song) at Hill Top!

 After clearing Hill Top car park and paths of snow, there was a welcome respite for staff and visitors last Saturday (23^rd March).

Daniel Winter had contacted us a few weeks beforehand to tell us that he was planning to bring his girlfriend, Helen Mint, to Hill Top to propose to her. He told us that Helen has been a lifelong enthusiast for Beatrix Potter and her work, so proposing in Beatrix’s house would make the event even more special for the two of them.

The very snowy day dawned, and we were a little concerned that the couple would be able to get here as several of the local roads were tricky to get through. But get through they did, and we were delighted to hear that Helen said yes!

So here are the happy couple (in a very rare photo taken inside Hill Top – but we thought this special occasion deserved it!).

Congratulations to you both and best wishes for the future from the whole Hill Top team!

This is the second proposal we’ve had at Hill Top this year, and both have been perfectly timed to match the centenary of Beatrix’s own wedding to William Heelis in 1913 – the photo below shows Beatrix and William on the day before their wedding, taken by Beatrix’s father, Rupert.

Whilst some of us were keeping the home fires burning at Hill Top and The Beatrix Potter Gallery, the other half of our team was opening Wray Castle. The portcullis was raised for the first time to visitors on the 23^rd March, although the weather and snow seemed to be conspiring against us.



Snowy steps for opening day!



  

Just a few more photos of the team getting everything ready.



 

Lottie, Christina and Corrin giving the staircase a final polish



Jamie hoovering - Rose made us all wear the delightful blue overshoes!





Rangers caught having a breather whist installing the Outdoor Room - just don't tell John A!



And in case you think I was joking about the snow and some of the local roads, here are a few photos taken by Mandy, one of our Visitor Experience Assts – you’ll most likely see her in the Ticket Office at Hill Top, Beatrix Potter Gallery or Wray Castle. (When it's not snowing!)



If this isn't a good reason for not being able to get into work, I don't know what is!



Come and see us soon!
But all the snow has now gone, all roads and paths are clear - just wrap up warm and come and see us! And if you've got room for another Easter Egg, we've got trails at Hill Top, The Beatrix Potter Gallery and Wray Castle happening on Easter Sunday and Monday.