Cold start, warm finish

Today's working party got off to a very cold start, after a heavy overnight frost.

Fourteen hardy volunteers turned out despite the cold, and by the mid-session tea break they had all warmed up through the effort involved. But also, the mist cleared and the sun came brightly through.

All our volunteers look the part:

After two hours hard graft, more than half of the area was cut - we should easily finish next time, by which time Grizzly should be back to full working order.

Here is Chairman John's message of thanks:

Thanks very much for a really impressive and rewarding effort today.  If anyone says getting up to this morning’s hard frost and grey sky was easy, they are either lying or bonkers.  But once again the sun shone on the righteous and we were blessed.  For those who didn’t hear me, the new cutter bar for Grizzly arrived at Randall’s on Friday and WILL be fitted by our next outing, so look forward to a razor-cut finish with the land shaved to within an inch of its life!  Next time is two weeks from today, 1st February, at same time and place, when the long dry reeds will make for easier and more satisfying work.  Goodbye for now and thanks again.

 

Kind regards

John 

Gorgeous start to 2015

After a very cold, clear night we convened for the first working party of the year in heavy frost, and feet and hands were numb.

But they soon warmed up with the effort involved in moving cut reeds to the periphery of the site. The sun was bright and wonderful, but the cool air meant that we didn't overheat. At the refreshment break Helen's biscuits ensured that we did overeat (see what I did there?), but there was plenty more work to do to return the balance sheet to credit.

Here is Chairman John's message:

Hello All

 

As a Volunteer on Southrepps Common there are times when you are truly blessed and I think this morning was one of those times.

But however much the glorious conditions helped the work along, the credit is all yours for making the morning a great success.  All who use the boardwalk, should gaze in wonder at the fabulous open space which we’ve created and appreciate all your hard work.  Thank you very much.

 

Kind regards

John

Unexpectedly decent weather for last working party of 2014

Despite another grim weather forecast, the rain not only held off until after we finished, but we were blessed with sunshine throughout. A good turnout of 11 volunteers (including one new one) meant that we again made excellent progress on cutting the main reedbed. One more session will see that completed and we can then go on to Area B on the Warren Road side of The Beck. This beiong the last session before Christmas, that will have to wait for the New Year.

Here's Chairman John's message:

Hello All

 

Well done and thank you to everyone who helped this morning.  With the “A” Team winching, a newly qualified Grizzly driver, a first-class whistle blower, and a lot of other good people, we

showed there’s not much anyone can teach us about shifting heaps of just about anything.  I wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year, looking forward to meeting again on 4th January 2015.

 

Best wishes and regards

John

Rotten weather, but willing hands make progress

The day started grimly, but at least it wasn't raining. Three of us pushed the cart across the central area, and ourselves to near collapse. We left it in the murk

and carried on to the soggy location we were clearing in the main reedbed. All went well for half an hour or so, but then the rain began, lightly at first, but then steadily drenching. By the time we reached the last load, we were all soaked, hot and very tired. Thank goodness for that winch!

Here is Chairman John's message of thanks to the volunteers who braved the conditions for the sake of The Common:

Hello All

 

My weather arrangements usually work out, but not today. We had one of the filthiest mornings I can remember, but work proceeded stoically and with good humour.  Given the conditions, we can be very proud of what was achieved and the whole Southrepps community should be deeply appreciative.  Thank you everyone.

 

Regards

John

Some mud, some rain, but lots of progress

The rain had the grace to leave off for the first hour, and even when it did come it wasn't too bad. Just as well really, as it was already quite wet enough underfoot, thank you very much. The winch continued to save us from the really hard work we used to endure, but slogging round the reedbed was still pretty wearing. However, we achieved a great deal and another two sessions should see that bit of the cutting programme completed.

As usual, the saving grace was the excellent company, including an extended sight of a soaring buzzard during the tea break.

Here's Chairman John's message of thanks:

Hello All

 

A piping hot shower and the Sunday  paper is just right for the damp dreariness that today has become.  And it’s jolly justified after our labours this morning.

Thankyou the Ten, you deserve to feel proud of a job well done this morning.  Next round is two weeks from today, Sunday 16th November, same time and place.

 

Kind regards

John

Cutting season under way

Our second working party of the new season was a great success; the weather was fine and even a little too warm for some of us. Nonetheless, we completed clearing the central area, which had been cut before Grizzly broke down last time. It has been partially restored to working order, so progress has already been made on cutting the main reedbed ready for next time:

Or how's this for a fancy black and white shot?

Quite apart from the satisfaction of a job well done, the highlight of the morning was a brief visit from a magnificent female marsh harrier. The site is really not big enough to support these wonderful birds, so visits by them are few and far between; that it chose our mid-morning refreshment break was all the more wonderful.

Here is Chairman John's message:

Thank you one and all for your splendid effort yesterday morning.  Despite my anxiety over Grizzly’s substandard performance (not to mention its operator) we have made a sensible start at this year’s programme.  We know we can carry on with the reedbed and by the time that is done, hopefully Germany will have sent us the parts we need to finish elsewhere.  Next session is two weeks time, 2nd November, when we venture into nether regions , uncovering who knows what – more fun and more satisfying.

 

I have a black jacket, labelled “No Fear”, which somebody left behind yesterday.  Will the owner please own up and I will drop it round.

 

Regards

John

New cutting season about to start

Dear All 

Winter would not be the same without an e-mail every few days imploring you to do great things for the good of  Southrepps residents and visitors.  At last your patience is rewarded because the new cutting season starts at 10:00am on Sunday 5th October on the reedbed.  We will meet on the boardwalk between The Beck and the Chadwick seat and I look forward to seeing you there.

 

This year we have to cut  Area B which is the Warren Road section furthest from Lower Street, half the reedbed and the usual central part.  You may have noticed that the variety and proportion of species is changing, in particular Grass of Parnassus has proliferated, Cotton Grass continues to reduce, and there is a lot more reed in the centre, but I am probably most concerned about the losing battle we are fighting with alder and hazel saplings in Area B. We have discussed what all this means with Natural England but nobody really knows, so basically we’ll just carry on  doing what we do best in our own way.  This seems to tick boxes and won us a first in the prestigious Norfolk Bio-diversity Group Awards 2014. 

 

An addition to the regular working parties which will run every second Sunday, various jobs arise which are more suitable for small groups to manage, e.g. consolidation under the bridge, painting the Information Point, bulrushes in The Pit, renovating the Chadwick Bench (if the Chadwick’s don’t do it), etc.  Please let me know if any of this suits you.

 

I have attached two documents, viz. Working Party dates and Health & Safety Guidance.  The former needs to be taken straight to your calendar and the dates transcribed.  The dreaded H&S document describes your responsibilities under H&S law and is a reminder that we have a written H&S Policy (available on request) with which we endeavour to comply.  When you sign in at the start of each working party, it’s not just for Duncan’s benefit, consummate archivist that he is, but it’s also drawing your attention to the risk assessment which one of us carries out before each session.

 

Next year there is cause to celebrate because it’s 25 years since Southrepps Parish Council assumed ownership and responsibility for The Commons and 10 years since Southrepps Commons Trust became a Registered Charity.  We are having an event on Midsummer’s Day, Sunday 21st. June, when we shall make a fuss of all Volunteers past and present. 

 

I am looking forward to another successful season and I hope you are too. 

 

Kind regards

John