After weeks of preparation, site visits, paperwork and tea drinking the project’s first official practical conservation volunteer work party day was upon us. The van was packed, lists were ticked and cake made – it was time to go. The sun was shining in Torver but there was a chilly breeze blowing and we were grateful to Les & Molly for letting us give the health & safety briefing in the warmth of their kitchen, fortified by tea & coffee.  Eight volunteers had come to help with coppicing the trees along a stretch of Torver beck and they worked like Trojans. As they day wore on, the breeze dropped, the sun still shone and coats were shed! The coppicing was done to improve the habitats both along the beck and in-river. After lunch, the brash was bundled up and staked along the fence line. All too soon the day came to a close and the tools were collected in. It was a brilliant day, we’d achieved what we’d set out to do, no tools were lost and our volunteers were still smiling at the end. Thanks go to Paul, Dave, John, Ann, Karen, Annie, Leigh and Peter and Les & Molly too.