Apprentices delighted to join the chain gang

JENNIE Lancashire (left) and Alyssa Young with their chain-saws

FAIR-weather outdoor enthusiasts out may just be coming out of hibernation but two apprentices have already proved their love of the South Pennines — and power tools.

Jennie Lancashire, from Dobcross, and Alyssa Young, from Huddersfield, Kirklees, both started their 18-month long apprenticeships in countryside skills about six months ago.

Despite being at the beginning of winter, this did nothing to dampen their passion for their conservation work, with chain-saw training a highlight.

Alyssa said: “We’ve done some chain-saw training to allow us to do cross-cutting and maintenance work but we’ve still got some to come, including the felling of small trees.

“Hopefully this apprenticeship will improve my chances of getting a job in this sector in the future.”

The two apprenticeships are provided by Pennine Prospects as part of the Watershed Landscape project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Working with schoolchildren, Duke of Edinburgh students and seasoned volunteers, Jennie and Alyssa both participate in events, activities and training through Pennine Prospects and their host organisations.

Jennie’s host is Oldham Council’s countryside service which arranges projects with school groups on environmental activities such as hazel coppicing and bird-box making.

The 24-year-old, who works on the family dairy farm and breeds her own pigs, worked as an instructor on an equestrian camp in America for six months before starting with Oldham Council.

She said: “I’ve been working with some school students who have really enjoyed hazel coppicing and laying footpaths because they are working as a team and getting a real sense of achievement.”

As part of the South Pennine Walk, Cycle, Ride Festival in September, Jennie is also organising a fun ride for horse riders and cyclists.

She said: “This helps to showcase the fantastic bridleways and countryside we have in the South Pennines.

“And it’s always nice to meet other riders, many of whom have come from far and wide to enjoy an organised off-road ride on the Pennine Bridleway.”

Alyssa, also 24, said she has learned a lot from the volunteers working on projects for her host, the National Trust.

She undertook voluntary environmental work for the Forestry Commission and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust after graduating from Durham University.

She said: “We’ve been laying a path across Marsden Moor, with flag stones recycled from old mills in the area. As these stones are so heavy they have to be brought onto site by helicopter and then moved into position by teams of volunteers.

“There are over 80 active volunteers on Marsden Moor and some have been with the National Trust for many years.

“It’s good to learn from them.”

Alongside their hosts’ activities the two apprentices also participate in training relevant for conservation of the South Pennines, an area that stretches from Skipton to Holmfirth and from Huddersfield to Chorley.

Now trained in use of brush-cutters, Jennie and Alyssa have put this to good use cutting strips of heather on areas of moor fenced off to prevent over-grazing.

This allows natural re-growth of the heather to maintain the moorland mosaic, and will also act as a fire break.

And they have also worked with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to improve the grasslands for the ground-nesting bird, known locally as the Pennine Finch.