Record breaking working party 16th February

Today's working party, in wall-to-wall sunshine, saw a record-breaking turnout of 22 volunteers, including three people there for the first time. It's not surprising that we managed to complete the cutting of area A on Warren Road, which means that the main cutting programme has been finished, and earlier than usual. The combination of a consistently good turnout of willing helpers and the new winch, which has made the task of hauling cut vegetation to the dumping sites so much easier, is the reason for this excellent progress.

We had enough people to be able to sweep the boardwalks clear of leaves, and to trim the edges of long stretches of the boardwalk, so preventing future rotting of the boards.

One of our new volunteers is particularly handy with a camera, and took loads of pictures to record the event. Here's a selection of Sheila Robinson's lovely images:

Here's Chairman John's message of the day:

Hello All

 

I hope you basked in a warm glow of satisfaction and pride, not to mention a nice bath, after this morning’s work. 

We have come close to finishing this season’s quota of work given us by Natural England which, after difficulties both meteorological and mechanical, reflects incredibly well on all of you.

Anybody with experience of  community work that I’ve ever spoken to would be very impressed by what we achieve and today’s record turn-out of 22 volunteers.

The next working party is Sunday 2nd March when we will certainly finish our primary task and go on to who knows what.

Thank you and well done.

 

Regards from John

Beautiful morning for a working party

This morning was a glorious spring-like one; warm bright sunshine with little or no wind. A slightly smaller turnout of volunteers than of late turned out and put in another excellent shift; we will probably complete the cutting programme next time. This is Chairman John's message:

Hello All

 

Many thanks to all who helped today.  We are making real progress and it is even conceivable that our fine-tuned and efficient team could  finish Area A next time.

If you want the satisfaction and pride of participating in such an impressive feat, make Sunday 16th February a date.  The end-of-season party starts to beckon.

 

Thanks again

John

Here's the cart under a full load, being towed by the famous winch.

Presumably the unseasonable warmth was responsible for waking up a bee which visited our base camp. It may be from a nest that has been made in a box intended for birds in the alder carr along the Beck. The amber coloured mess is honey that has run down the outside of the box.

More excellent work was done trimming growth back from the edges of the boardwalk. This is important not only to ensure the full width of the boardwalk can be used, but it will also help prevent the boards from rotting. Here is the edge team:

Their job is made much less pleasant, not to say unhealthy, by the presence of dog mess in depressingly large quantities. Although many do of course, we do wish ALL dog owners would clear up after their pets!