Another great turnout and a good day with the winch

Once again we were blessed with a great turnout of volunteers, who were also lucky with a fine, mild morning. The new winch is really coming into its own: here's what it looks like.

And here's an example of what it can pull with ease. The two people holding ropes are merely keeping the leading edge of the tarpaulin tight - not actually pulling the load.

Unfortunately a mechanical failure on the mower prevented us from finishing the area we had wanted to cut completely, so there may be a smaller working party to finish it once the mower has been repaired. Here is Chairman John's traditional message:

Hello All

 

Thank you and congratulations everyone for a job well done this morning. 

The cheerful and purposeful atmosphere which characterises our working parties these days is a joy to be part of. 

You have all helped develop new ways of working which make best use of the winch whilst not leaving us all completely exhausted and wrung out, as so often happened before.

It was a shame that something as small as a broken clutch cable meant the cutting had to stop as we were on course to finish the whole area, which would have been some achievement and a first.

 

We always build in a good long break over Christmas and New Year in recognition of all the commitments people have at this time of year.  Consequently, the next Working Party is scheduled for Sunday 5th January.  But several people today suggested we have an extra unscheduled session when Grizzly is repaired, just to complete what we couldn’t do this morning.  This makes sense as otherwise we will have to relocate everything to the other side of The Beck mid session which will be an inefficient and awkward exercise.

 

So if I don’t see you before Christmas, let me wish you all the compliments of The Season and look forward to your pleasant company and energetic labour when we reconvene.  I will arrange an ad-hoc working party as soon as Grizzly is mended.

 

Kind regards and many thanks

 

John

First outing for the new winch

Today's working party was the first one to use our wonderful new winch, purchased for us by the Edith Murphy Foundation. We had a great turnout of 19 volunteers, most of whom are in this picture showing the Health & Safety briefing before getting stuck in (and I got well and truly stuck in some very gloopy mud!)

The winch itself is a fairly small petrol engine, but once it is attached to a tree has enormous pulling power.

With all this power, and the ground being so soft, we reverted to using our old tarpaulins rather than the cart. With just a couple of people required to stop the front edge of the tarpaulin from closing up, it meant that everyone else could concentrate on loading the cut reeds onto the second sheet.

So strong was the winch in fact that whilst it was quite capable of pulling very heavy loads, it discovered a weakness with some of the webbing straps attached to one of the tarpaulins, and on the very last load these snapped. We therefore need to repair them before the next working party on 1st December, so as can be seen in John's comments below, we are looking for help from anyone with an industrial sewing machine.

With Grizzlie keeping a steady supply of cut material, everyone had plenty to do.

This short video clip gives an idea of how easily a large load slid across the ground, with just a couple of people helping keep the front edge tight.

Here is Chairman John's message:

Hello All

 

If the old hands were dismayed at the thought of dragging tarpaulins again, imagine how I feel about our fine, even iconic, cart being made obsolete. It seems we’ve gone full circle as we would have truly struggled with the cart in today’s conditions; and you thought I was joking when I said no weight was too much for the new winch. 

 

The day was undoubtedly a success on two counts, not just the winch but the record turn-out of nineteen volunteers, marking a real upturn of our fortunes.  Thank you everybody for your hard work and the way you all recognised what needed to be done without being told.  We simply worked out new ways of working as if by magic in a way that was a joy to see.  This is why SCT won the Queen’s Award.

 

I have two weeks to get the sewing needle working on the tarpaulins.  Whilst I turn my hand to many things (if it can be done with wood or rope, it will be!) sewing is NOT my forte, so if anyone feels able to help, perhaps with access to an industrial sewing machine, I would be more than grateful.  I just want some webbing loops sewn so that hauling ropes can be attached.

 

Thanks again to every one of you.  Next working party will resume on Sunday 1st December at 10:00am where we left off.   

 

Kind regards

John

Working party 3rd November

A great turnout today: 17 volunteers, including four very welcome newcomers to our happy band. The weather was kind, and we got through an impressive amount of work.

Towards the end of the session we treated to a brief prospecting fly-over by a wonderful red kite, though sadly it wasn't in view for long enough to get a photo.

Here's Chairman John's message:

Dear All

If “The Big Society” has gone out of fashion in Westminster, it certainly hasn’t here in Southrepps.   I think what we are achieving on The Common this year is impressive by the standards of any community, and this morning was yet more of the same.  I extend a very warm welcome to our more recent friends who are making such a difference, whilst the old hands are no less appreciated. 

It always amazes me to see how work seems easier and output increases as more people join in.  This proves that everybody makes a valuable contribution.  Thank you very much.

 

Kind regards

John 

Working party 20th October - thanks from John

Hello All

 

Thank you one and all.  Yesterday was an encouraging turn-out and a fine display of British pluck in the face of all that the weather gods could throw.     

I had serious anxieties about how we would manage another winter like the last one, or indeed any winter at all.  But with the sudden appearance of three new volunteers and such enthusiasm from all of you, it seems our fortunes have turned.  We must now work hard to get nicely ahead before a well-earned break through December, Christmas and the New Year.  The next session is Sunday 3rd November.  I know you can’t wait.

 

Thanks again

Kind regards

John

Bullrush clearance at the Pit

Today was the day allotted to thinning out the bullrushes at the Pit, to prevent them from choking the pond. Despite a dreadful weather forecast, five hardy souls turned out, and were rewarded with two hours free of rain, during which time the job was accomplished.

As can be seen, it was even enjoyable!

Here's what the Pit looked like from the road before we started

And this is how we left it

Working party 6th October 2013 - thanks for the turnout of volunteers

Hello All

What an encouraging start to the season we had this morning thanks to all of you.  With several apologies in the bag, I was expecting to have to make the best of a small turn-out but the opposite happened and we achieved a lot.  All in all a great start thank you everyone.  Reacting to popular demand, all working parties (except special ones) will be on Sundays starting from 10:00am to 12 noon, with a coffee break which is growing more and more elaborate – wet wipes today, what next?

Regards from John

First working party of the season - 6 October

Hi Folks

 

Please don’t say you’ve forgotten that as the long hot days of summer gradually morph into mists and mellow fruitfulness, so the bold green reminders start arriving. The much anticipated start of the new cutting season commences on Sunday week, 6th October, at 10:00am, in the Central Area.  The Central Area is easier, or rather less hard, and more pleasant to work on so I thought we could make a start there this year.  We are also starting earlier in the month than before because last season was a struggle. But, acknowledging a clear preference for Sundays, all working parties have been scheduled for Sundays this season, and they will all start at 10:00am, out of consideration for our comfort.

 

A lot has gone on behind the scenes since we last met. We almost became saddled with additional work for which Natural England wanted us to pay contractors, whilst Grizzly is only back in the nick of time from major repairs.  So we were rather taken to the brink, only to be marched back down again, like the Grand Old Duke of York.  On the plus side, water voles are actively colonising The Beck, their presence having been scientifically verified.  We’ve passed inspection with flying colours so any shortcomings which seem so apparent to me must be quite insignificant really.  And that’s all down to every one of you who helped in any way last year.

 

I do hope you can see your way clear to joining the team again as without you none of this is possible.

 

Kind regards

John

Good for butterflies and bees

There may not be many birds showing off at the moment, but there are plenty of bees and butterflies enjoying  the flowers on the common at the moment. This seems to be a particularly good year for peacocks, so after a couple of years of not having many opportunities to photograph one, I finally found an obliging specimen in good condition this morning.

Balsam bashing

Very successful working party this morning, to pull Himalayam Balsam plants out before it sets seed. It has pretty flowers, but is massively invasive and if left unchecked would choke the Beck to the detriment of all the native vegetation and the animals dependent on it.

Here's our chairman choking some plants in retaliation.

And here's what he has to say on the matter:

"Dear All

Saturday morning’s exertions were recorded for posterity and here (below) is one of the best.

Thanks again for helping with this annual task which counts among SCT’s success stories.  It must be so  because this year we had to penetrate so much further just to find any Himalayan Balsam to pull out.  I really think we got it all for which not just the community of Southrepps should be grateful but the whole of the Rivers Ant and Bure watershed including all the Northern Broads right the way to the sea.  So now you can feel justly proud of your achievement on Saturday morning – thank you.

Regards

John"

The plant grows along the sides of the Beck and anywhere damp enough nearby to support it, so a certain amount of exploring the deep dark recesses of the site is needed. Here are some intrepid volunteers on their return from the interior.

Urgent trim, and good spots

The call to arms came last evening, that we needed to convene a working party urgently. The recent excellent growing conditions had caused the vegetation lining the side of the boardwalk to grow intemperately, and people were finding it impassable in places. So 10 intrepid volunteers gathered in the growing heat and cut, slashed, raked and swept what felt like several tons of reed and assorted plants. It was nice to discover the boardwalk underneath it all! Anyway, it looks great again now, until it all grows again.

What it did illustrate once again was that we need more volunteers. If many hands make light work, the reverse is true and we all got pretty hot.

I was excited to find a decent sized lizard basking in the sun on the boardwalk: haven't had a good view of one for a couple of years. And then, going back this evening, I found this nice female common darter dragonfly, enjoying the early evening sun.

Great moth, and Crafty Creatures at the FAYRE

One of our Twitter followers found an egg-laying Garden Tiger Moth on the Common a day or two ago. This is a rarity these days, and a great find on our little patch. It's a great moth to look at too: See http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/garden-tiger

It was the Southrepps Fayre today, and despite a dire weather forecast it all went well, with no rain. Southrepps Commons Trust had a big presence, with Dr Tim and his able assistants making dragonflies from reeds cut from the Common. We had hoped to recruit more volunteers, so with luck some of the people who took away our details will decide to join in over the next cutting season.

Cuckoo and marsh flowers

Although the weather seems to have reverted to the grotty stuff we've been enduring for weeks, I managed a pleasant walk across the common this morning, clocking up 27 bird species. The best, for me, was the cuckoo I heard, since I have heard no other so far this year. Various Lower Street residents have been telling me that they have been hearing it, often at an unearthly hour, but I was beginning to wonder if it was going to elude me.

The male reed bunting that has been in residence on the main reed bed was showing well, and singing loudly, but sadly was still too obscured by reeds for a clear photo. A reed warbler was also chuntering away deep in the reed bed at the same time. Those, combined with song thrush, blackcap and chiffchaff all singing at the same time more than made up for the lack of sunshine.

The marsh is coming into flower now. As well as the bog beans that have been showing for a couple of weeks, we also have marsh valerian, orchids and cotton grass in flower. I tried to get them all in a single shot, but that wasn't too impressive, but here at least is some cotton grass.

Help wanted

Hello All

 

Today, John Dowland and I shored up the worst sections of Jubilee Boardwalk, which needed doing urgently.  But we ran out of time when it came to replacing the broken board at the Lower Street end, as it transpired that the bearers are rotten and the whole section needs replacing.  This is a more straightforward job than the one we I did today and is suitable for any 2 or 3 willing persons. Would anyone like to do it for us, ideally when school is off, i.e. at a weekend or during the coming half term holiday, week commencing 27th May?  The job comprises lifting the old section of about 6 feet, laying parallel bearers and nailing boards to them, finishing off the whole thing by stapling on wire netting.  Timber is already prepared and materials are ready.  With several other jobs stacking up for me, it would really be a great help if somebody else could do this one.  It is important because this section of  boardwalk is used daily by a lot of people during term time.

 

Kind regards

John

Reedbed birds at last

Sitting for 10 minutes of the "Chadwick bench" yielded my first encounter with a reed warbler this year; I was beginning to think they weren't going to come this year. At the same time I heard, and saw, a reed bunting, looking like a sparrow on a hot date. And just before that I heard a whitethrtoat, along of course with the usual chiffchaffs and blackcaps.

Bees and deer but not much else

Good to see plenty of bumble bees out and about, but sad that there were few birds in evidence. I had heard several chiffchaffs last week, but this time there was only one singing, and no blackcaps either. Perhaps it was the chilly wind that had sprung up, or maybe it was just the time of day, but they stayed resolutely quiet. I had heard reed buntings previously, but again, nothing today.With luck, I'll get better luck next time.

However, I did see this muntjac in the last area we cut. It clearly had an idea that I was in the vicinity because it maintained its pose for several minutes, looking in my direction. As I crept closer it finally felt the need to slink off into the bushes, but not before I had manged several photos.

After that, once I had crossed the Beck and emerged into the Warren Road side of the common, another muntjac calmly walked off into the bushes there.

Getting there at last

A beautiful day; completely clear blue sky, wall to wall sunshine, and the cold wind has gone. At last the spring migrants have begun to arrive and the flowers are coming out. The warm sunshine has brought some insects to life too; peacock and brimstone butterflies are in evidence, as well as lots of bumble bees.

I heard my first blackcap of the year on School Common this morning, and my first swallow of the area near The Hill. I counted at least six singing chiffchaffs across School Common and the main Common itself; including this obliging individual.

The section of the Common between Warren Road and the Beck is looking very colourful, partly thanks to a fine display of lesser celandines:

Could this be spring?

At last! A warm day, or at least what passes for one in this shivering year. The wind has dropped and this is the second sunny day in a row. No summer migrants have yet made it to the Common, although a reed bunting has been singing. But the frogs are very busy, as evidenced by the decent quantities of frogspawn.

End of another cutting season

A very wet working party finished off the cutting season for another year; the conditions underfoot were as wet as anyone could remember, and several people got very wet. The Grizzlie got bogged down a couple of times, and needed some ingenuity and brawn to rescue it.

Nonetheless, the 10 brave souls who tuned up worked with a will, and we completed the programme for the year, to our great relief. We all needed a rest at the end!

But at least we had the satisfying sight of a whole new vista opened up; at least, until it all grows again!

Here's what Chairman John had to say:

Dear All

 

Well that’s it for another season, and today’s stoic stalwarts deserve their thank you to be as public as possible, which is why I am writing to the whole volunteer group.  After the dreadful winter we’ve been through you would have thought the weather gods would cut us a bit of slack on this last working party of the 2012-13 season, but not a bit of it.  This morning dawned grey and wet, with no promise of improvement, whilst the conditions underfoot have never been worse.  You all knew we would struggle to meet the requirements of the programme but everyone went to the work with a will and the end result is truly remarkable.  I am hoping for some great photos from Duncan and Tim showing the impressive and beautiful view from the corner of the boardwalk, looking right across to the boundary, a vista that has never been seen before in its completeness.  Thank you all once again, and remember the provisional date of 5th May for our non-working party.

 

Best wishes from John

Good birds lately

We've been very fortunate to have had a couple of really good birds flying over the common in the last couple of weeks. First we had a rough legged buzzard, with its characteristic habit of hovering briefly in mid-flight. That stayed around for a couple of hours, but I suspect has moved on. And then a flock of 45 whooper swans flew over on the morning of 2nd March, making a wonderful sound. Perhaps they are gathering together to fly back to the wild north.

Working party 3rd March

I wasn't able to take part in today's working party, but by all accounts it was a great success. Here's Chairman John's message:

Hello All

 

Well you really did respond magnificently to my rallying cry, the closest to a plea for help that I have ever allowed myself.  Thank you very much for working this morning and helping to achieve so much.  With one more session, Saturday 16th March, it is clear that we will come jolly close to meeting this year’s target which, given the hardships of weather and sickness, is a splendid achievement.  Remember that without your sustained effort the Common would quickly revert to rank scrub and the rare plants that the place supports would soon disappear.  Then we would lose the reason for its SSSI status and the legal protection that goes with it.  Remember also, that without you Southrepps Parish Council would inherit an impossible liability for upkeep which it couldn’t possibly afford, and another precious piece of  nature’s wonderful tapestry would vanish.  So, all in all, you can be justifiably proud of giving something back for the benefit of not just Southrepps but all the visitors who enjoy the fruits of your labour. 

 

Thank you and best wishes from John

A select few

After a slightly dull start, the morning developed into a warm, bright and lovely harbinger of spring. Sadly, there were fewer of us to enjoy it than usual, which made the work harder than we like, but we still achieved a lot. This picture shows Chairman John deep amongst the reeds, with our faithful Grizzly hard at work.

And here's his now customary message:

Famous oratory praising “The Few” comes to mind today.  Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen for your sterling effort.  Whilst we might struggle to finish the whole programme in just two more sessions, we’ve certainly done the most important part, and in the spring sunshine this morning it looked great.  Thanks again, next session is Sunday 3rd March.

Working party 2nd February

A good working party in decent weather, until a sharp snow shower near the end of the session. At least we got a lot done, which always helps you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's what Chairman John has to say:

Hello All

 

There’s a danger of my thank you sounding a bit cliché because I’m always so fulsome in your praise.  But that is not the case at all as today, like every day, you’ve earned all the plaudits that can be heaped upon you.  None of us is getting any younger and each can be justifiably proud of what was achieved today.  Thank you very much.  The next working party is Saturday 16th, same place at 9:00am, when we will easily (a loose interpretation of the word, for Duncan’s benefit) finish the Central Area and move across to tackle the front half of the reedbed which is more rewarding and lighter work.

 

Regards from John

Ready for the thaw

A beautiful morning today, if a dripping one as the thaw set in after another fall of snow last night. Nonetheless, the conditions are such that the working party deferred from last week has had to be called off again. Here's what Chairman John has said:

"I suppose it was always unrealistic to hope that conditions would change quickly enough to permit tomorrow’s working party to go ahead.  John D. and I have just carried out a pitch inspection and conclude that, even with a fast thaw, there will still be snow on the ground and the rest will be unmanageably wet.  There is also the question of the damage that we might cause by trampling all the plants before they are properly thawed.  So, reluctantly, the working party for tomorrow, 27th. January, is cancelled and you can look forward to a bit longer in bed. 

We will of course resume next Saturday, 2nd. February, at 9:00am, come hell or high water.

 

This brings me on to the measures we must take to catch up.    We really have two options, i.e., work longer or insert extra work days into the programme.  I am very aware that many of us are flagging after two hours and there should be absolutely no dishonour in stopping when you’ve had enough.  With that very clearly understood, I propose that we should work till 11:30 next Saturday and discuss the way forward during coffee break.  It would help me to know your thoughts on the subject so you can email me with your views if you like.  I will run with whatever is the majority view,  I just think that myself as Chairman, and the people of Southrepps, are very lucky to have you working at all!

 

We all know that every individual’s contribution is valuable and appreciated;  never more so than now.

 

Kind regards from John"

Anyway, I was able to take a few photos. School Common looked nice in the snow:

 

Scouts' Pond was still well frozen, but looking pretty.

The dog enjoyed the snow, as dogs tend to do - here on the recently cut area G.

I was hoping for more birds than I found, but I was at last rewarded by some good long tailed tits that for once were not hidden by twigs and branches. I quite like the cross formed by the tails of these two:

Snow stops [play

There was meant to be a working party yesterday, but the recent snow put paid to that. The following are   the revised arrangements:

Saturday 19th January, cancelled.

Sunday 20th January is ruled out as a substitute.

The next working party will be Sunday 27th Jan. at 9:30am.

Working party of 3rd. February brought forward to Saturday 2nd February at 9:00am

 

I wandered across the common this morning in the hope that the bad weather would have produced some unusual birds, but in fact there was very little about. I did find this pied wagtail at the Pit however, wandering about on the frozen surface in the probably vain hope of finding something to eat.

Also at the Pit I found a snowman has taken up residence on the bench. I like his profile particularly:

Her has a good view across the pond, so should be able to report back on anything interesting that crops up.

A trifle damp underfoot

Following all the recent rain the Common is particularly wet at the moment. Nonetheless, a brave working party of 12 sallied forth on 6th January and was able to make good progress on area G - the section we have to mow each year so the orchids and cotton grass can flourish.

Here's a message from Chairman John:

 Dear All

 

There are two reasons for always writing to thank you after a working party.  The first is what it says on the tin, "Sincerely thanks very much for a good job done, and for which you can be jolly proud."  The second reason is so everyone who wasn't there knows what a good job was done, and how enjoyable it was in the fresh air and sunshine.  You will have have realised by now that next time must not be missed, i.e. Saturday 19th January at 9:00am.  Remember that every minute of every person's contribution is valuable and worthwhile.

 

 

Best wishes and regards from John