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