Hello Conservation Volunteers
Thank you to all of the 23 volunteers who attended our first work morning of 2022, spread out from Forge Dam to the top of Porter Clough on a lovely bright and sunny winter's morning.
At Forge Dam, Ann and Tricia were tidying up the planted area at the side of the store, although the stone walls around it need re-cementing - another job for the volunteers when the frost risk has passed!
Glyn, Chris, Rowena and Pat cut back the overgrown shrubbery and holly at the side of cafe by the steep path, for which cafe own Nick was extremely grateful and passed on his thanks to the team.
Another group led by John tackled the remains of the tree which had fallen down during Christmas, cutting it up and removing it from the river and generally tidying up the area.
Linda, Jenny and Janet cleared the path which runs down from the Health Authority to the valley which was covered in rotting leaves making it very slippery for walkers.
Up at Quiet Lane, Dave, Les and Chris were clearing out the gulleys to divert the water into the river which had become blocked and were causing water to flow onto the road.
Starting from the top of Porter Clough a group led by our Ranger, Matt, started to cut and clear out the gulleys and drainage alongside the path which had become clogged up, resulting in water flowing onto the path making it very muddy as well as eroding it. Various french drains were rediscovered as well as stone lined gulleys, and plenty of mud! In one area a tree aged about 10-15 years was growing in the middle of a drainage ditch which just goes to show how long it had been since last cleared properly. There is still more to do before this stretch between Porter Clough and Clough Lane is restored.
The next work morning is on Tuesday 25th January 2022. The usual email will be sent out nearer the time requesting volunteers.
Lyndon.
A Selection of photos from the work morning
Tricia and Ann planting by the store
Shrubbery and holly cleared by the cafe
Fallen tree cut up and removed from the river
Path by the Health Authority - before
Path by the Health Authority - after clearing
Les and Chris clearing a blocked gulley on Quiet lane
Nick and Dave uncovering a totally hidden french drain
Mark, Peter and John re-cutting a drainage gulley
Nick, Rob, Phillip and Dave clearing out a stone lined gulley
Dave and the cleared stone gully with french drain
Dave, Mark, Peter, Rob, Nick digging out a drainage ditch
A blocked drain outlet
A tree growing in the middle of the ditch!
Water now flowing across the french drain and not the path!
