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It has been another interesting and exciting week across Friends of the Lake District’s land holdings. On Monday it was really good to take out two of our new Trustees, Malcolm and Fiona, and tell them a bit about why we own land, how we manage it, and all the positives it delivers, as well of course about some of the challenges! It is fascinating to show people some of our land for the first time and then hear their reactions to what we have done and also ideas for new things we could do or things we could do differently. All thoughts for new or different things are always welcome to put in our melting pot of ideas which incidentally is filling up nicely!! 

Pictured: New Friends of the Lake District Trustees Malcolm Boswell and Fiona Sanders at Little Asby Common near Orton 

On Tuesday we spent a couple of hours in Dam Mire Wood, with one of us hanging on a tree to fix a tawny owl box. When our previous Chair Judith Cooke stood down, her leaving present was two owl boxes!! One has gone in at Mike’s Wood where we already have Tawny Owls, and the other at Threlkeld. They are a considerable size and weight and as they hang on the underside of a sturdy branch are a strange thing to look at.

Pictured: A new home for a tawny owl - we hope - at Dam Mire Wood near Threlkeld with Blencathra (Saddleback) in the background 

Tray from the village was walking her dogs as we were putting up the box and asked what it was and if it was for squirrels, bats or a camera! Owls can find them and take up residence within a day so fingers crossed. There are owls around and about and they are now settling back down after the recent house building project nearby has finished. 

Wednesday saw a return of some staff from the Olive Tree Brasserie to help us tree plant at High Borrowdale. We were delighted to receive a cheque for £7,000 today whilst down there from the Brasserie who are a chain of Greek/Mediterranean style restaurants sited across the North-West.

Pictured: Olive Tree Brasserie's Environmental Ambassador, Mary Scotford (left) presents a cheque to Jan at High Borrowdale

Their customers have been invited to include a small donation of £1 on their bills to fund tree planting and plug planting on our land at High Borrowdale and this donation will help us to carry out this vital work. When they came last year it was beautifully sunny. This time we had heavy rain followed by thick mist, but spirits were high and lots of trees were planted. Thanks to everyone, a massive gang of 20 of us, plus Tiggy dog of course!

Pictured: Our gang of tree planters at High Borrowdale, plus Tiggy dog!