GoodGym sprung into action this morning at the mighty Barrow Castle!

The tree-am at Barrow have helped return the location to its roots. Its seeds were sown over 150 years ago when it became a nursery for the production of daffodils for many years. It played an important part in the community with locals still recalling the time they worked there. There is also a Dawn Redwood that was only previously known from fossil records until others were found in China and Australia.

The aim is now, (amongst other things), to grow trees and provide them to the local community and wider as part of the global effort to restore our forests.

Our tasks today were twofold. Under the guidance of Matt we first wrapped chickenwire around Apple trees in the orchard in readiness for a small flock of much needed grass munching sheep; the sheep have a penchant for chewing the bark as well so this needed protecting.

These multi-skilled GoodGymers Max, Emily, Meyrick and Mary showed themselves to be naturals as we together wrapped the protective wire around existing trees that were blooming beautifully in Spring blossom as well as younger, newer saplings towards the top of the field. When this was completed we assisted a member of the Barrow Castle team with weeding a patch in which the tiniest of oak tree saplings were speading their first leaves of life. We also uncovered some fungus that looked remarkably like pasta; any info on what this was please let us know!!

All this was carried out against the backdrop of the most wonderful of views across the valley, framed above by the stormy skies that challenged us with at least two showers during the course of the session.

To say we felt tree-umphant would be a pun too far, but it was a most productive morning!!