Renewing Hedgerows and Renewing the Hedge Layers

The Wirral Society, who preserve Wirral’s natural and built environment, celebrated their 90th birthday by sponsoring a hedge laying training day organised by Wirral Countryside Volunteers. The Wirral Society sponsored the purchasing of ten samurai pruning saws and nine wild pear trees to be planted into the hedgerow to form hedgerow trees of the future and to celebrate the nine decades of the society.

It was a great event with 58 participants, 40 of whom were new to hedge laying. An impressive 150 metres of hedge were laid along Woodchurch Road between Arrowe Park and the M53. This is most the volunteers have ever laid in a single day. More importantly there were 24 youngsters involved. They will each receive a young hedge layer award of £25 for taking part in the event. Wirral Countryside Volunteers' Secretary Paul Loughnane enthused, “Hedge layers need renewing as well as the hedgerows. It is great to see so many youngsters getting actively involved. Laid hedges are good for wildlife as they retain some of their flowers which provide nectar and pollen sources for insects and winter berries for birds. Flailed hedges have most of the flower buds on the second year's growth removed.’’

“Thanks to the teachers of Woodchurch High who encouraged the pupils to come along on a Sunday. We were supported by Arnold Plumley of Cheshire Ploughing and Hedge cutting Society who demonstrated the local Cheshire style and by the National Hedge Laying Society who run the young hedge layer award scheme which is sponsored by HRH the Prince of Wales. It was a great collective effort.”

The Volunteers provided tea and homemade cake and soup for the participants. Paul added, “I was very much surprised and delighted by the large turnout of youngsters, perhaps it was because hedge laying was featured on the BBC's Countryfile programme the week before or that the hedge is on the edge of the Woodchurch Estate where many of them live or an inspirational ‘eco’ teacher."

Miles Duncan, the farmer from Home Farm Landican said, “The volunteers have done a truly fantastic job - their fine work will be seen for many years. Landican is at the geographical centre of the Wirral, and it’s farming for all to see, as the farms are bounded by motorway and busy roads and visible from most of Prenton. Thank you!”

Robin Dutfield, a member of staff from of Woodchurch High, declared that, “the pupils really enjoyed the event and the fact that they were so whacked out at the end of the day meant some learned what hard work is all about!”

Rodd Tann, Chair of The Wirral Society stated, "It was wonderful for the Wirral Society to celebrate its 90th birthday with practical protection of Wirral's natural environment. Wirral’s hedgerow stock is gradually declining through poor management. This freshly laid hedge will resprout from the base and will form an impenetrable boundary to livestock, a wonderful wildlife habitat and a great landscape feature.”

A Poem penned by Ruth Dann

Paul remembered that Ruth once wrote a poem about her fellow committee members. Thanks to his good memory and efficient filing system we can share it with you.

Wirral Wildlife Committee 2006

We are glad to have Stephen as chair

He takes all our meetings with care

There may be some levity

And we are not known for brevity

But his judgements are measured and fair.

Our industrious secretary, Jim

Sets out on his bike neat and trim

With scarcely a quiver

Our news to deliver

He loyally risks life and limb.

John’s balance sheet’s always a treat

The figures so clear and so neat

He’ll pass on a nod

Bills from ‘Mother of God’

For he knows she won’t give a receipt.

A protector of barn owls is Mike

Now that is a bird we all like

He carries large poles

With large nesting holes

It’s lucky he’s not on his bike.

Keith plans our event. We’re aware

That it’s not such an easy affair

Wind farms, ponds, voles

And midsummer strolls

I just wish that more people were there.

Linda’s ideas for Watch Group are great

There’s no end to the things they create

Bird boxes, moth hats

And most life-like bats

Far nicer than what’s in the Tate.

For Paul there’s no task that’s too hard

Scything, laying hedges by the yard

He clears ponds and ditches

Without any hitches

And as far as we know still unscarred.

Our botanist Hilary Ash

Identifies plants with a dash

She knows every weed

By the shape of its seed

And its Latin name too – in a flash!

At outdoor events Frank is found

With his Frog Dip spread out on the ground

And the children all come

To inspect each frog’s tum

For they know glorious prizes abound!

Now Lesley’s main interest is Brock

She’s on duty call all round the clock

For a badger R.Cs

Not religious – but he’s

Just suffered a fatal road shock.

With Barbara as Wirral stock buyer

Our profits have never been higher

Owls pressed in the front

Hoot - and Guinea pigs grunt

While woodpecker jerks down his wire.

So let’s raise our glasses and cheer

For the hardworking folk gathered here

Though we’re sometimes hard pressed

We all do our best

So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

We really felt that we should (belatedly) attach a verse about Ruth. Our efforts are not as good as hers!

Ruth wrote this poem so clear

When 2006 was the year.

She raised lots of funds, 

Provided coffee and buns

And always dispensed lots of cheer.

Hilary

Our hostess for this hard-working committee

Was Ruth, who composed this short ditty.

She welcomed us in

Her wry comments made us grin

But she’s gone now, more is the pity.

John

Ruth our committee meeting host for over 25 years

Was carefully listened to and esteemed by her peers

The countless stalls she ran, the money she raised

She certainly deserved much more praise

So here’s to our cheery, most cherished volunteer

She certainly made a big difference here!

Paul and Phillipa

Modest as ever Ruth left herself out

And just praised the others who met at her house.

But we beg to differ and, praise where it's due,

When it came to fundraising, she knew what to do.

But now that she’s gone, we have memories galore

Of a head, heart and mind with wildlife at its core.

Linda and Barbara

A Tribute to Ruth Dann, 1928 - 2018

Ruth (centre) with other members of Wirral Wildlife committee, 2010

Ruth Dann was a Primary School Teacher before her marriage to Bernard in 1952.  She joined the Wirral Group of Cheshire Wildlife Trust soon after they moved to Caldy in 1971.

Her love of nature began when she was a girl and she subsequently studied biology at college. Ruth very soon became part of the fundraising committee and subsequently its Chairman. She was elected to the main committee in 1986 and was in charge of fundraising for Wirral Wildlife from then until she retired in 2010. She co-ordinated a small team of volunteers who staffed the stalls at charity fairs, talks and events, heaving the boxes of sales goods in and out of venues. Ruth's work raised about £2000 a year for the Trust. This went towards protecting the wildlife and habitats of the Wirral. The stall's presence at events also acted as publicity for Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Ruth was backed up in all this by her husband, Bernard, who acted as chauffeur, porter and money-checker.

Heswall Charities Fair

In 1985 when the committee needed a room for its regular 6-weekly meetings, she generously offered her dining room with its large table. It was invaluable for committee meetings and was also used for the task of inserting newsletters into their envelopes prior to distribution. (An activity known as ‘stuffing’). The committee was very grateful for her hospitality, large table - and the occasional entertainment, as when the fox trotted across the lawn to pick up its supper, left conveniently within sight of the window.

Although she modestly claims it was for selfish reasons that she offered her room (she did not drive and would have needed lifts to meetings), she and her husband Bernard also opened their beautiful home and garden for fundraising purposes. Thus each spring for many years Wirral Wildlife was able to hold a very profitable plant sale, followed by an equally enjoyable fund raising/social event each November.

Elaine (left) and Ruth (right) at Christmas fundraising

Ruth had a very wide circle of friends, some of whom she recruited to membership of Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Even those who did not join were gently encouraged to attend fundraising events or make donations. This policy was followed at her regular summer croquet parties. Unfortunately the lawn wasn’t quite croquet standard because it had clover in it and buttercups. As Ruth herself said ‘It wasn’t the best croquet lawn but it was nice for wildlife and the bees loved the clover. So it had to be an extra hazard you see. They didn’t seem to object and they put a donation in the hall as they left for the pleasure of knocking a ball around the lawn’.

Ruth was given the Eric Thurston award in 2009 in recognition of her efforts on behalf of Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

Ruth being presented with the Eric Thurston award

Since she retired from the committee a highlight for her were the visits from retired and current committee members. Unable to take an active role any longer she was still up to date with everything happening on our reserves and would quiz us about this when we visited. She celebrated her 90th birthday this year and we were able to present her with a miniature version of the crystal Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service that the group gained last year.

Ruth with her Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Cheshire Wildlife Trust presented her with a special certificate and interviewed her for the Grebe magazine.

After talking about why she got involved in volunteering with the group and the wildlife and places she liked they asked her about her pet hates.

This is a transcription from the tape.

Oh I’ve got a few pet hates. Bernard my husband always said “you’re very selective about what you want to conserve you know’’. Magpies I’m not very fond of. Oh and the sparrow hawk. I had a horrible sparrow hawk who used to take the goldfinches as they left the bird feeders. You know he’d sit up in the tree and then “waaaam” he’d take a goldfinch. And I didn’t like that. I didn’t want to feed sparrow hawks on goldfinches.

Cats I don’t like for obvious reasons.

The grey squirrel! Worst of all. Oh gosh! I fought a battle for years against the grey squirrel! But they’ve got more patience than I have. That’s the thing. I bought all sorts of devices to deter it from the bird table. Because he used to get up on the bird table and feast away. I’m not buying seed to feed a squirrel - good gracious! Interloper!

We fixed up various things. I had a water pistol. I used to creep out and fire off the water pistol. Of course the squirrel was the other end of the garden by that time. So that wasn’t any good. And then I had the bright idea of putting a hosepipe on the bird table, with a brick to hold it down. And then when he was there we used to turn the tap on. And the squirrel would get a jet of water on it. But that didn’t work because when the squirrel felt the vibrations of the water coming through the hose it leapt off the table. So all that happened was the hosepipe blew all the seed off! I gave up after that.

They’re a bit of a nuisance but still you’ve got to put up with these things.

We will miss her forthright common sense, enthusiasm, sense of humour and her small figure bustling around the sales table. She has made a lasting contribution to wildlife in Wirral and will long be remembered fondly by all who met her.

Here are some tributes from fellow committee members.

Ruth and her home were such a part of so many events - committee meetings, stuffing meetings, garden events and all her fundraising events. She was always cheerful and positive, interested in everything and everyone, and a kinder, more interesting person it would be hard to find. We will all have affectionate memories about her.

Mike

We have lost a great Wirral Wildlife stalwart and friend. I would say I got to know Ruth more when she retired from the committee and Philippa & I would go to visit her.  She was always interested in the group and asked for special permission to be sent the minutes which she literally went over with a magnifying glass.  Ruth was always a delight to see, always in good spirits and so positive about everything and never mentioned her declining heath.  She considered her Wirral Wildlife friends as best friends.

Paul & Philippa

I first met Ruth in the mid-eighties when Christine and I joined the Heswall & West Kirby Folk Dance Group.  She was an ever-present dancer, and she and Bernard used to host our annual barbecue dance in her garden.

It was seeing her at a dance evening wearing a Wirral Wildlife jumper that first brought WW to my attention, and that was when I joined.  It wasn’t many months before she persuaded me to take on the role of treasurer when the post became vacant.

Ruth was the inspiration for the Wirral Wildlife annual wildlife quiz.  She and I have been the judges of the quiz ever since.  She helped me find (some of!) the mistakes I made in compiling the questions and she was always keen to go through all the entries with me and help me to decide on who was the winner.  I shall miss her contribution very much.

John

I have known Ruth for nearly 40 years and during that time she became a dear friend.

Once Wirral Wildlife began sourcing its own sales material I helped Ruth with ordering stock. She pored through sales catalogues selecting appropriate items and then would delight in demonstrating some of the more quirky items on the sales table. Squeezy frogs with extending tongues were a particular favourite, both with her and the children.

Latterly, as her mobility declined, she wanted me to tell her of the places and wildlife I had seen since my last visit: “And what has caused your eye to light up this week?” (a quote from Norman Ellison, ‘Nomad’). Her knowledge and love of wildlife was extensive which coupled with a phenomenal memory which never deserted her, made for many interesting conversations.

Barbara

Since Ruth retired from the committee I visited her regularly to keep her up to date with happenings in Wirral Wildlife, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and the reserves. As her eyesight and mobility deteriorated I never once heard her complain. She listened to Radio 4 so her conversation was always topical and she often had wildlife questions, being pleased when we could often get immediate answers from my smartphone. Her main regret was that she could no longer walk around her garden and see the birds and butterflies there. I will miss those visits to her.

Linda