Hello Conservation Volunteers
With all the rain and debris washing down of late, it was drain and goit clearing time.
Two teams of drain clearers were despatched armed with rods, spades and mattocks. One team started just below Forge Dam working their way down, whilst the other team started down at the stepping stones working their way up, the plan being to meet somewhere in the middle with all drains fully cleared.
On their way down, the bottom team cut up and removed a tree which had fallen and was blocking the bridleway. At the bottom above the concrete bridge, the path on which we removed layer upon layer of sticks and mud last year was cleared of further accumulations of mud. The bridge itself was also treated to a clean-up with the caked mud scraped away.
Nearby, a blue metallic balloon had been stuck high up in a tree for months. Somebody had the bright idea of using the rods to free it, which although sounded a great idea in theory was not to be with the flexible wibbly-wobbly rods, especially when the balloon was wrapped around holly! The only solution was to wade through wild rose bushes and cut through holly branches to eventually reach and cut the branch to which the balloon was attached and successfully removed.
At the end of the morning the two teams did meet up having cleared all drains along the stretch which should last a while.
The goit to Wire Mill Dam had been looking a bit sorry of late with only a stream of water in the centre area even though there was plenty of water coming down from the dam to feed it indicating there was a blockage at the entrance to the goit. The goit team cleared out debris and mud which had built up at the entrance, cleared under the goit drain (the one with the FoPV plaque on it), and removed the usual build-up of debris at the grill.
Where possible we like to include jobs for those who prefer not to be up to their eyes in mud and water, and for this session there was plenty of cutting back to be done at Wire Mill Dam. The four ladies were joined by an eager Stuart, no doubt keen to get first dibs on Mandy's flapjack! They were certainly busy and enjoying themselves, cutting back the brambles and laurel on the recently repaired steps, cutting back along the fence at the side of the dam path, removing overgrown holly on the path below, and clearing around the top of steps which go down to the lower path. A great job ladies (and Stuart!)
Back in the cafe having enjoyed a coffee and Mandy's banana flapjack, just as we were about to leave Charles and Chris N turned up who it turned out had been working on the far end of the goit. We had assumed they had gone home - it seems the rest of their team had left them to it!
The goit team have done a tremendous job of clearing the blockages and clearing it out, the flow is noticeably better and now filling the width of the goit and not just the centre part.
A big thank you to everybody who turned up for a very successful and enjoyable morning's work.
The next work morning is on Thursday 14th November. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.
Lyndon
A Selection of photos from the work morning
Stanley and Peter removing the tree on the bridleway
Stanley rodding out a clogged drain
The other end blocked with mud
Peter and Tony clearing caked mud on the bridge
Tony and Peter clearing a blocked drain (pooled water can be seen on the left)
Finally cleared and vey smelly!
Removing the balloon!
Charles clearing the entrance to the goit with Chris supervising
Goit flowing well and filling the full width after being cleared
Linda, Claire, Barbara and Stuart getting ready to start work
Linda raking leaves and debris out of the dam
Steps before clearing
Steps after being cut back
Before clearing
Cutting back in progress
Top of the lower steps area before being cut back
After, quite a difference!
Holly before cutting
In progress.......
.....finished!
Some of the volunteers in the cafe enjoying a coffee and Mandy's banana flapjack!
