Birdman of the skies comes to the rescue at Crow Wood

Conventional transportation was just not possible due to the steep gradients within Crow Wood hence the need for a birdman of the skies to help out! A huge Sikorsky helicopter was the only way these enormous structures could be transported into the playscape.

Sara Burdett, National Trust Project Lead for the Playscape said:
“We brought in the helicopter as it was, literally, the only way to transport four massive pyramid timber towers - which form part of the playscape´s structure - into position in Crow Wood. 
The towers are twelve metres high and there were several anxious moments as the helicopter lifted each one, and then flew it with extreme care over the trees and along the estate boundary into Crow Wood. On a couple of occasions, as the wind speed increased, the towers came very close to some of our mature trees and historic dry stone walls.  It was all very dramatic — but thanks to the superb flying skills of the crew from British International which provided the helicopter, the job was completed successfully and there was no damage done!” 

The huge pyramid towers were designed by landscape architects Adam White and Andrée Davies working in conjunction with Timberplay, an outdoor play equipment specialist.

Sarah adds:
“Ideally the towers would have been constructed on site in Crow Wood itself, but concerns about access, safety and steep gradients led to the decision to build them in Lyme´s car park. We had to plan the lift carefully, as a helicopter flying in and out of a public area raises obvious safety issues. However, with the help of forty volunteers who secured and manned the fly zone, visitors to Lyme were able to enjoy the spectacle safely”. 
“The Sikorsky is normally used for duties flying between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly and was flown up especially for the lift — so it´s thanks to British International Helicopters for doing such a great job”.

The next phase of the Crow Wood Playscape project will be the construction of a bespoke tree house, interconnecting rope and timber walkways and a giant badger set. 

The playscape project has been given a £250,000 grant from WREN, a not for profit business that awards grants to community projects across the UK on behalf of Waste Recycling Group (WRG). The project is being managed by environmental charity Groundwork Cheshire, and the playscape design is by landscape architects Adam White and Andrée Davies.
Landscape Contractors for the playscape are Visible Changes Ltd, working with Hillan and Hunter specialist carpenters and Timberplay.

The Playscape is on schedule to open at the end of July.

For further information about the Crow Wood Playscape go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lymepark or www.crowwoodplayscape.blogspot.com