Hello Conservation Volunteers
An absolute fantastic achievement by everybody who came along to our latest work morning in Endcliffe Park where we were joined by 4 volunteers from DWP. We had done a reccy a few weeks ago of the work and materials required to restore the damaged grass areas at the Hunters Bar entrance to the park which included installing two large areas of wooden post and rope fencing and estimated it would take longer than our usual work mornings however it was all completed before 1pm!
When we arrived the Parks dept. crew had already made a start on rotavating the compacted bare soil, so it was straight to the first task of organising bodies for the various jobs.
After agreeing on measurements for rope holes (4"and 19" from the top!) we decided it would be more efficient and easier to drill the holes for the rope prior to erecting the posts (as opposed to drilling in situ as we had done before) so Chris N and Charles setup their drilling shop nearby with the help of Victoria who "stepped" up to the challenge(!)
With the rope hole drillers sorted, Chris S and Glyn set off measuring 2.5m between each post position and preparing a hole with the aid of a large metal pole for the post erecters to follow on behind. Mike and Peter had the task of using the heavy post rammer to knock the posts in up to the 36" ground line which the rope drillers had marked up, with Mandy as the plumb-er who had the job of holding the post spirit level to ensure the post were true and vertical (unfortunately a couple of posts hit concrete or hard stone and skewed slightly - we can't blame the post team!)
Whilst this was all going on the rest the group were hard at work raking the completed rotavated areas to remove stones and debris in readiness for grass seed to be sown which then had to be raked in, and then moving onto the next area.......more raking, sowing and raking in......
The Park team's rotavator suffered a breakdown but with the usual one man working on fixing it and 3 stood around watching, it was soon fixed and back up working!
Once the first stretch of 16 poles had been installed the drillers and rammers set to work on preparing and threading the rope, starting with the bottom layer first, again something we hadn't done before but speeded up the whole process, (previously we threaded the top rope first which hindered installing the bottom rope). To avoid the tangled mess of rope which we had encountered before, Mike came up with the idea to use a spare post as a spindle for the rope to rotate around so it could be unwound easily. Great idea Mike!
Once the first fence section was complete, the whole process was repeated at the opposite end near the playground where another 11 posts were installed and roped.
Finally, three larger 6-foot posts were erected for signage to be affixed notifying the public about the project of restoring the grass areas. Phil being the tallest ended up with the post rammer to bang these in!
A massive thank you to everybody who came along including the DWP volunteers, Andy and Darron with their Parks team, and not forgetting of course Mandy for her treacle flapjack, enjoyed by all!
During the course of the morning we had members of the public coming up to talk to us about the work with some admitting they used to walk across the grass but will stick to the path in future!
The next work morning is on Thursday 10th October where we will be in Whiteley Woods/Bingham Park where we will once again be working with the Parks dept. on installing more fencing and raking! An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.
Lyndon
A Selection of photos from the work morning
Parks team already rotavating as we start to arrive
Chris N and Charles on the steps of Queen Victoria - an ideal workbench!
Everybody busy on their various tasks
Raking and sowing and raking....
Who's that with Peter and Mike banging posts in.....?
......Ah, it's Mandy with the post spirit level!
Chris N, Charles, Peter and Mike
Installing the bottom rope - Yes that post isn't plumb Mike!
Darron rotavtaing
One man fixing the rotavator with 3 watching on and giving encouragement!
Andy with the fixed rotavator on the final section near the playground
More post installing near the playground.....
....and more raking, sowing and raking....
Almost done
Phil after installing the final signage post
Completed end near the entrance
