A pit stop in the weather

 A small working party was carried out yesterday at Pit Common on a lovely sunny day, happily sandwiched between two vile ones. This session was re-scheduled from the planned Sunday one, due to the ravages of Storm Bert. Bertie had not affected our area anything like as badly as some desperately unfortunate parts of the country, but was nonetheless huffing and puffing and threatening to blow down anything he could – which might have included the trees at Pit Common onto our precious volunteers. Therefore, a postponement was deemed wise; the runes were cast, the oracle consulted, and Tuesday emerged as a likely decent day. We are lucky to have an average of 13 volunteers on our working parties, mostly of course on Sundays, so it was still pleasing that nine were free to attend this time. It will come as little surprise to regular readers that your usual correspondent was not among them; this time a dentist’s note secured my release, although the sharp pain in my mouth and an even sharper one in my wallet meant I got the rough end of the deal.

Acting Team Leader Teddy oversaw the action, accompanied by Linda, who under his supervision also hacked and carried and dragged whatever came within reach.

Those nine people were perfectly happy (so I am told) to get stuck in to cutting back the scrub which was encroaching on the open part of this little common.

Indeed, apparently they had to be restrained from going further, the red mist having descended no doubt.

Mowing, and hiding under cut material, was also carried out.

At the end of the session everyone was pleased with the result, and we hope that NWT warden George will be equally impressed.

Here is Team Leader Margaret’s message of thanks:

Hello all,

Thank you to the nine volunteers who turned up at short notice today. You have done a cracking job cutting back the dead scrub behind the sign at the pit and brushcutting some of the reed that is invading the pond. It was a beautiful day and we timed the work perfectly so all that was cut was cleared by 12.00. We even managed to spread some yellow rattle seeds on the wildflower area and cut the grass. Kevin had cut half of it yesterday. Thank you Kevin. It was a good job we cancelled Sunday as two trees came down elsewhere in Lower Street. So weather permitting we hopefully will see you on the 8th December to make a start on the Reed bed behind the Chadwick bench. Enjoy this lovely day.

Margaret.On behalf of the Team leaders.

A rake’s progress on Area B

 

Regular readers of this blog have no doubt been quietly wondering about the state of play regarding the troublesome knee belonging to your usual correspondent. Well, still glowing from the X-rays that had bombarded it a mere two days previously, the knee in question was returned to duty on The Common this morning, having been absent for the two previous sessions. We can report that it doesn’t seem to have suffered from the outing. 

For many days before, the mornings had barely managed to dawn. Heavy cloud and deathly still air made for a depressing atmosphere: the sort that almost makes you yearn for the bright lights of the dental hygienist’s chair. Happily, today was noticeably better, leading us to wonder what the strange blueness was in the sky.

We were returning to the patch known as Area B in order to finish the job of cutting and clearing it, which had not been possible to achieve earlier in the cutting season for a variety of reasons. 16 stalwarts of our volunteer corps turned up and were soon hard at work shifting the material which had been previously cut and left in ‘windrows’. Although I arrived on time, of course many of them were already there; here’s the sight that greeted me.

Prior to that of course the sheets had been laid out; full marks for the keenest!

On arrival, after signing in, you must choose your weapon.

The winch crew needs to get set up too, despite being dazzled by the bright buckets.

Then it’s full steam ahead.

This area can be treacherous for the unwary, as there are numerous holes where Alder saplings have been removed. Team Leader Margaret was unwarily walking backwards when the inevitable happened, and she landed on a thistle to general amusement. Luckily the moment was captured on camera, although she complained about being left sitting on a little prickle ahem.

I mentioned above the need to choose your weapon/tool wisely. Margaret went back to the tool store to fetch Andrew’s chosen device. As can be seen from this video, it’s evidence that here on Area B a rake was making progress (I thank you!)

There was not a great deal of vegetation to move on this extra session, and it had the merit of being dry and light, so we had actually finished in under an hour. The hour mark is traditionally time for the refreshment break, but the closest Sunday to 11^th November is of course Remembrance Sunday, and at 11.00 we mark the occasion with a two-minute silence. Today we spent a while trying to attract the attention of these stragglers as silence does not come naturally to our merry band.

However, the group was ready on time to respect the silence on a beautiful morning; this being taken just before the start.

At the end of the two minutes we managed to refrain from congratulating ourselves for being quiet for a little while by clapping and cheering, as football crowds seem compelled to do, but we were soon back in chatty refreshment break mode.

Once the (work) party is over, there’s still the clearing up to do. The drag sheets need folding in the approved way; here Ken is receiving Julie’s expert tuition (having already suffered my less expert guidance).

And the winch rope has to be put away in its big yellow bucket… but first it has to de-kinked as it tends to curl up on itself in use. (Mention of Kinks of course always sets Noel off on a rendition of the hits of that iconic group – this time ably assisted by John D with some useful station names.) Firstly, the rope has to be walked out as far as it can go; this answers the age-old question of “how long is a piece of string?” Team Leader Kevin drew the long straw, and was sent off in the direction of Warren Road. He went a long way…

… and then further still.

Meanwhile, the kinks themselves need attention. Here’s Sheila unravelling the knitting

But that’s not all; the next trick is to shake the rope violently, like skipping little girls used to do in my primary school playground.

At the end of it all we could look back at the end result – a good job done.

Even then, more work was needed, as Team Leader Margaret discovered a tripping hazard on the boardwalk in urgent need of attention – although fellow Team Leader Kevin speculated that she had lost £1 again!

On a less pleasant note, we’ve been here before, but there has been a recent increase in the amount of dog excrement left on and beside the boardwalk, despite the notices reminding dog owners of their responsibilities.

Including me, many of our volunteers are dog owners themselves, and we know well what is expected of us. It is all the more galling and of course unpleasant therefore to be presented with the leavings of other peoples’ pets. This time we removed at least nine faeces, with at least one already bagged up but left there nonetheless! Here are some of them bagged up ready for proper disposal.

We can only urge all dog owners exercising their pets along the boardwalk to do the right thing please, and clear up after them. There’s a bin for the purpose at the car park end of the boardwalk so we don’t feel there’s any excuse not to use it.

And finally, here is Team Leader Margaret’s message of thanks:

Hello All.

We were so lucky with the weather today, warm and sunny after such a grey week. They say the sun shines on the righteous! Thank you to the 16 volunteers who made short work of the arisings on area B. Thank you also for the very peaceful observance of the two minutes silence at 11.00.

We look forward to Duncan's blog as we seem to have supplied him with ample material today. Thank you Duncan for the time and effort you take in keeping us all informed and entertained. It is very much appreciated.

Enjoy the rest of the day and hopefully see you in two weeks’ time when we take our annual trip to School Common.

If at any time you have suggestions about how the working parties run please have a chat - we are always open to ideas. Also, if there is anyone who would like to join the leaders team you would be most welcome.

Margaret for the team leaders