FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Tuesday 25th March 2025

Hello Conservation Volunteers

A rather busy work morning this time around the Forge Dam area for our volunteers.

With the Duck Race looming upon us and preparations now in full swing, a special session for those in the Construction Team had been arranged for a practise and refresher session on the green opposite Fulwood Old Church and luckily it was a bright sunny morning (we couldn't have done this if it was raining). Boss Duck was sitting on the grass looking on as two teams each practised setting up an awning each, (there was the odd puzzled face with some poles not looking quite right), but eventually both awnings were up correctly, so the next step was to take them down!

A slight issue with one awning as two poles just wouldn't come apart no matter how hard and how many people twisted and tugged them. Fortunately, the cafe had a can of WD40 and after a liberal application and some more twisting and tugging they came apart. Rob came up with the suggestion that on the day we should put Vaseline on the poles before erecting them to avoid a similar issue come dismantling time, so that's two Vaseline appliers required, one for each team, for the 5 awnings which need erecting on the day!

With the awnings all packed up, those who were also regular volunteers joined up with groups already out and about in the valley on various tasks....

Down at Wire Mill Dam a team were busy doing some spring cleaning removing the build-up of debris at the grill and large clumps of grass growing around the edge in the water. Having given the dam a thorough going over, they moved on to the goit which also needed a good clear out. They both look so much better.

Further down the valley on the bridleway near Armchair Bridge a patch of rhododendron was under attack, growing out from a neighbouring property, over 20+ feet tall, and probably not touched in over 20 years, it had taken over. As it was cut back to the boundary a low stone wall could be seen, and tree or large rhododendron stumps from previous work were visible, as well as number of glass bottles - clearly a dumping ground. Although there was no actual rhododendron growing on "our" side, some branches which had touched the grown had taken root, so the removal was apt timing.

A patch has been left at the entrance to the bridleway to prevent people from taking a short cut across the grass verge. Unfortunately, we didn't have a rake to remove all the rhododendron leave litter - a small job to be done another time along with removing the self-set by the signpost.

Back at Forge Dam another team was weeding, tidying and mulching on the garden area opposite the playground. The odd wooden fence post was straightened but some need replacing another time.

Thank you to everybody who came along for what was an enjoyable and worthwhile morning's work, as well as Mandy for her honey and ginger cookies!

The next work morning is on Thursday 10th April where we will be in Endcliffe Park. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

Construction Teams in action!