FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 10th April 2025

Hello Conservation Volunteers

Our last work morning before the Duck Race is always in Endcliffe Park so this one was no different, on what turned out to be a fantastic sunny and warm day.

As well as receiving the tables, mats and pig tail spikes dropped off by the Rangers to be stored in readiness for the big day, the other two tasks are river checks and litter picking.

Those who like messing about in the water were all ready and keen to get started, and along with a few litter picker helpers went off to the Duck Race Start where they would walk the race course, moving rocks, logs etc. that have been washed down in the last 12 months to provide an unhindered course for the ducks (there is a final check on race morning). The litter pickers walked the bank sides retrieving any litter including a hoodie, rebar, metal drainpipe and a cold chisel.

The rest of the litter pickers spread out, going to areas which don't normally get checked, along the park edges, by the railings and walls in the woods. The park is relatively litter free in the main areas but look in the undergrowth by the railings and all sorts can be found and this time was no different with the usual traffic cones, cans, bottles, chocolate and crisp wrappers, and this time a pregnancy testing kit (used!).

Over in the woods near the stepping stones between a massive cherry laurel and the high park wall a den of sorts was discovered. At first glance it looked like a body had been dumped underneath it but fortunately turned out to be a wrapped up old tent! With more cans, bottles, wrappers, plastic and other unmentionables another old tent was discovered flattened into the ground.

Mandy had dropped off a paper bag with goodies for the workers and as we sat down for a coffee and peeked inside saw they were professionally wrapped as "Mandyland choc chip". What was this - had Mandy branched out? On closer inspection the choc chip were actually "Maryland choc chip". OK not quite what we were expecting - it's the thought that counts - thanks Mandy! (There was also some "Jacobs Cheddars" in with them too)

Thank you to everyone who came along to help prepare for the big day, make sure your friends all buy tickets!

The next work morning is on Tuesday 22nd April. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

John directing water operations from the dry bankside