Sphagnum Moss Planting in Goyt Valley area, Derbyshire - Fri 14th November

Why it’s worthwhile:  

In association with Moors for the Future Partnership, BMC volunteers will be planting sphagnum moss in the Goyt Valley area of the Peak District, close to Buxton. Sphagnum moss is a key building block of peat and healthy blanket bog keeps the underlying peat banks safe. Sphagnum traps carbon dioxide and due to its water retention properties it also helps reduce flooding and improves water quality. Therefore protection and restoration of blanket bog is an important part of the fight against climate change. 

When:  Join us in this moss planting project on: 

Friday 14th November 2025 

Meeting point and start time:

We will be meeting at the Derbyshire Bridge car park  

OS Grid Ref SK 0184 7158 

Google maps pin:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/tqSjFi7f2cRBtrMM6 

This can be accessed from the main Macclesfield to Buxton Road (A537) turning off left just after the Cat and Fiddle Pub, or via the one way road up Goyt Valley from the Errwood Reservoir car park. 

PLEASE NOTE: GOOGLE MAPS HAS RECENTLY BEEN SAYING YOU CAN’T USE THE A537/ CAT AND FIDDLE ROUTE TO ACCESS DERBYSHIRE BRIDGE CAR PARK. THIS HAS BEEN INCORRECT: ITS OK TO USE THAT ROUTE. PLEASE DO CHECK WHICH WAY YOUR SATNAV IS TAKING YOU! 

Meet from 9.15am to set off at 9.30am prompt. There are toilets at the car park (although sometimes locked!!). We aim to be finished by 3.00pm. 

What will the work involve? 

We will be taken in a small group of vehicles closer to the worksite (but limited parking) and then walk a short distance to the planting site. Spending around 4 to 5 hours, and working in small teams, we will be planting about 5000 sphagnum moss plugs (circa 250 plants each per volunteer). We aim to plant until 2.30pm or 3.00pm depending on how much has been planted, how people feel, and the weather. We will stop for lunch around 12.30pm. 

What to bring 

Participants will be expected to wear or carry weather resistant clothing (including gloves and headwear) suitable for the conditions prevailing on the day which may be cold, wet and windy (meaning warm clothing and waterproofs). Footwear should be warm solid boots with grippy soles. The distance to walk is short, and the moor may be wet, so good comfortable Wellington boots with warm socks is also a valid option. Carry sufficient food (snack and lunch) and fluid (a thermos with hot drink is good at this time of year) for a full-day hill walk. Something to sit on (ie: sit mat) can be useful. There will not be any opportunities to buy refreshments during the day so bring everything you want with you. 

For the moss planting please bring gardening gloves (if cold weather old winter gloves ideal), and a “dibber” for making a small hole to put the moss plugs in. This can be a large screw driver, straight stick or piece of wooden doweling (from DIY shop). Anything with which you can comfortably make a small hole in the ground about 1cm diameter! Remember that a very short dibber will mean you’ll have to bend over more…..  

However, the MftF Rangers will have plenty of spares if you can’t find a dibber at home! 

Uneven ground in this area, mainly from the molinia grass tussocks, is a major hazard and their growth can hide small holes, gullies, etc. The tussocks are a significant trip hazard, can cause sprained ankles (though suitable footwear mitigates this). 

Who can come 

This walk is open to BMC members and accompanying friends, over 18.  

All participants must book a place in advance. No dogs. 

How do I join in? 

You must register, stating full name, email address, and mobile phone to organiser Steve Charles stevecharles25@gmail.com ASAP. Numbers are limited. 

See BMC video on moss planting; 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yP638hozaY 

Moors for the Future have an excellent website if you want to read more about their work, and moorland restoration in general: 

https://www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/ 

If you haven’t heard about the Great North Bog Project, why not take a look! 

https://greatnorthbog.org.uk/