Trailering manure

We were now into the flow of the project. The economic down turn, leading to the lack of available top soil, forced a rethink as did working the earth for the drains. The substrate is fertile evidenced by the profusion of Daisy's in the fallow year of 2009. BTCV, previously know as 'British Trust for Conservation Volunteers', one of the bodies we used to consult with during our planning stage, were blown away on their site visit with the speed of regeneration of the soil. An alternative plan was devised. A thick layer of manure would be applied to the site and capped with a layer of top soil. Volumes were calcualted, costs rejigged and contractors engaged. Matt and Zoe trailered tons of manure to cover the whole plot and levelled it out. It was about this time the weather broke. The long hots days were replaced by heavy rain. Luckily the rain was not persistent but it did make what would be the growing areas too sticky for running vehicles over them.

We found a benefactor in a local top soil and turf merchant. He gave us the top soil at a little over cost to him and more than we agreed to take at no extra cost. Again he wanted to support a local initiative.