December – The winter solstice
The winter solstice falls on Monday, 21st December this year. It is a turning point for many of us who go about our business in the fields and hedgerows of England. Of course, as you are probably already aware, we are not just agricultural contractors at BTAC. We work right through the winter with the groundworks part of the business as well as providing a raft of equestrian services, including ménage construction and paddock maintenance, to name but two. However, like most in the agricultural sector – we notice the difference when mid-winter has come and gone.
The winter solstice might be the darkest day of the year with the lowest number of daylight hours available to work in but it also marks the time when the days start to get longer once more. The rate of change seems agonisingly slow at times throughout late December and into the New Year. That said, there is always that whiff of optimism we find when the days start to get that little bit longer. It must be something about working outside with the sun on your face – even if it is chilly and you are working in a hard frost, our optimism never ceases.
Although we don’t stop working throughout December, this month of the year always feels a bit different. We know we are going to be taking on new work and we also know that we are going to be more productive as each day passes. So, if you are planning what you must do next on the farm, the paddock or wherever else you might need us, now is the right time to get in contact with us before we get too busy.
Some of the things we would normally do as groundwork contractors just cannot take place when the ground is hard but many of them can – even if it means doing them in the middle of the day when the conditions are at their most favourable. A good case in point is our topping services. Bear in mind that from the winter solstice onwards, this is a service we offer that will be increasingly in demand for suppressing weed growth before it can establish itself.
BTAC, we have all of the equipment necessary to get fencing supplies from A to B and get on with the job even if it means working on into the evening under a tower of electric lights in the dark.
As ever, stay safe,
Brian@BTAC
In the end, working outside – even in the depths of winter – is something that ought to be enjoyed as much as possible despite everything the weather might throw at us. This is a big part of the way I like to run things – with a can-do spirit. As such, you should never be put off contacting us about jobs around the place you want to crack on with just because it is winter. We are always here to do whatever is practically possible!