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