Snowdrop ready

After the recent wet and windy weather, it was some small relief that this morning was dry and calm. It was also however cold and grey, and feet not encased in multiple layers of socks were liable to suffer. Nonetheless, a round dozen of us made it to the first section of the boardwalk (the bit between the car park and the Bradfield Road spur), in order to re-visit some of the overhanging willows, and to cut and clear the grassy section between that spur of the boardwalk and Bradfield Road itself.

The willow trimming had become necessary so soon after the earlier work here because as they age and lean they tend to subside, leaning against their neighbours and generally lowering the tone (I am still talking about trees, not our volunteers). Here’s an example:

It’s a soggy and tangled area, so entering it can be challenging – think Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, or the film Apocalypse Now if you prefer.

We see the gaudily-clad Noel in that picture. One of the joys (or is that hazards?) of working with him is that he’s liable to break into song at the least provocation: any careless remark is liable to include part of the title of a song in his extensive repertoire. He’s been called ‘The Southrepps Matt Monroe’, although admittedly only by your correspondent, today.

This being the season that it is, autumnal nature was much in evidence in this patch of wet woodland, with the highlight being the flushing of a woodcock. As well as the fun guys wielding saws and loppers, there were plenty of fungi to admire too.

Lacking Team Leader Julie’s dead-hedging expertise, the branches and twigs cut down were disposed of in a less impressive fashion than would otherwise have been the case: we hope she doesn’t notice! Here we see our crack team admiring their handiwork.

Meanwhile, round the corner on the Bradfield Road spur of the boardwalk, grass clearing was in full swing (the grass having been mown immediately before the main session began.)

Exactly an hour into the session, half time was declared, and with a rousing chorus of “I like a nice cup of tea in the morning, I like a nice cup of tea with my tea” we trooped off to the storage container for our due rewards, which again included especially good biscuits. Something seems to have particularly amused Margaret and Sheila!

Following that welcome break (although it did allow the cold to creep back into at least one set of toes), work was resumed with a merry whistle on our lips ahem. Tipping loaded drag sheets over is never easy, and it seems harder still after a break.

Meanwhile, Team Leader Kevin was noisily at work operating a brush cutter to good effect.

Our recently restored Grillo mower had been given a run out, but now it was time for it to have the protective cover for its cutting blade to be refitted, before putting it back in its box.

At the end of the session, the area looks like this – all ready for next Spring’s display of Snowdrops.

Here is Team Leader Kevin’s message of thanks: 

Hi all

Judge for yourself if the 12 good men and women who turned out today (on a damp and cold morning) have done a splendid job clearing the Bradfield Road spur, as well as cutting back the overhanging branches along the boardwalk. This means we should now be able to see the first signs of spring when the snowdrops start coming through.

Thank you to all who came and we look forward to seeing you in two weeks’ time which will be the last session before the Christmas break.

Kevin for team leaders

Back to School (Common)

This week’s outing for the hackers and loppers group more formally known as The Southrepps Commons Volunteers was to School Common, which is conveniently and coincidentally located opposite Antingham and Southrepps School. The targets were School Meadow (where the picnic tables are), the main path through the wood, and Jubilee Boardwalk. Twenty of us convened, loosely around 10.00 a.m., on another beautiful autumn morning. The Met. Office had threatened mist and a yellow warning of mellow fruitfulness, but the mist at least was absent. Early arrivals were greeted by hazy sunshine before the work began.

To our great joy, Grillo the mower has been repaired, and yesterday it was put to good use mowing the meadow, accompanied by two men but no dog. It was certainly ready for a trim; here’s what it looked like immediately before its operation.

We are also delighted with our replacement tool trolley – thanks George!

Our forces were divided into those clearing up the arisings from the mowing in the time-honoured fashion using drag sheets to a dumping site…

… whilst others set about cutting back overhanging branches along the main path and Jubilee Boardwalk. The latter thoroughfare was also swept clean of its carpet of leaves.

We have the use of two brush cutters, and both were used to good if noisy effect. One to create the dumping site at the edge of the meadow: here we see Team Leader Kevin setting off with a purpose….possibly still a little grumpy after fellow executive Julie pulled a fully loaded aforementioned trolley over his foot!

The other brush cutter was used beside the Jubilee Boardwalk to give the encroaching nettles and brambles something to think about for a few months.

Meanwhile, at the Lower Street end of that boardwalk ominously overhanging trees were given some significant attention by a crack squad armed with saws and other sharp implements.

It’s alarming how sometimes loppers, in your usual correspondent’s hands, will lop off a twig or even a branch that on falling to earth as per Isaac Newton’s discovery turns out to contain a crop of valuable berries – and they weren’t there before the fatal cut was made. To my mind, it’s either the fault of the loppers, or perhaps incorrectly calibrated spectacles.

Shortly before 11.00 we broke off from our labours and gathered on the meadow for our tea break – but first a two-minutes silence was observed, this being Remembrance Sunday. Happily, unlike at football grounds, it was not followed by wild cheers and self-congratulatory applause for keeping schtum for 120 seconds. It was however followed by warm beverages and particularly yummy biscuits.

Then back to work, thoroughly refreshed.

By the time we finished work, the picnic area on School Meadow was looking its best…

The paths to the picnic area and through school common were all clear…

And jubilee boardwalk clear and swept!

One of the joys of this area is the lichen that coats every individual twig and branch of the trees. Often overlooked, it really is beautiful! 

Here is Team Leader Julie’s message of thanks:

Hello all

Thank you to the twenty volunteers who arrived on School Common today on a lovely sunny morning to rake, lop, saw and brushcut the bracken and scrub.

In the first half tremendous progress was made removing the cut bracken and taking back and removing scrub on the 'picnic bench' area and along the path through school meadow and the jubilee boardwalk (where a hazardous fallen tree was removed).  We then all gathered by the picnic benches in the sunshine for two minutes silence at 11am. The peace and tranquillity was lovely as was the birdsong overhead.  

Following our usual refreshment break, we resumed our work, with the addition of sweeping the leaves off the entire length of the Jubilee Boardwalk.

Once again, an amazing amount of work was completed, and we thank you all for your hard work and enthusiasm.

Regards, Julie and the TLs