Action
taken: A workforce of 3 removed many ancient dock
clusters from the valley bottom (southern section). Some
of this was particularly heavy work, because the docks
were old and well rooted into glacial gravel. The work
was varied by walking the pasture of the whole dale and
removing Spear thistle rosettes. Follow-up dock clearing
in the Northern area of the pasture (started in 2003),
was also carried out. One half a day was devoted to the
fenceline docks & Spear thistle, by a 2 man workforce.
Assessment:
a visit to all areas of the site during an open-day,
suggested that the work was well worth while. It is almost
inevitable that plants are missed during a ‘clearance’
and so minimal ‘maintenance’ should always be a part of
the understanding between the farmer & contractor.
Cost:
£660 + Vat (incl. travel)
Follow-up:
A further visit to Duggleby for work on Ragwort &
Spear thistle (on the Country Stewardship bank-sides).
One man worked for two days. Cost: £200 (includes
travel)
