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Restoration Working Parties

A Day with the Mid-Week Working Party (Colin's Gang)     It is a beautiful day, 15 November 2001, and 15 members turn out to clear the winding hole in Sidney Wood. For location see Map 5.     Bruce passes a hazel up the bank for stacking It's a big area, thickly covered with vegetation but dry under foot. For ecological reasons the landowner has stated that the cleared vegetation must be cut into 5ft lengths and stacked 6ft back from the bank.

Two of the bank party are Jock and Geoff.     After 3 hours work everyone reckons lunch is a good idea. Back row: Geoff, Peter, Ian, Brian and David. In front, the Gaffer: Colin Gibbs.

Everyone that is except Dave who reckons that lunch is for wimps. Instead he takes advantage of a clear run to fell some trees. The addition of a chain sawer to the team has speeded up the work dramatically.     Jim uses a wheelbarrow and old fashioned muscle to clear away the result of Dave's chain sawing.     The day has been a great success, The winding hole has been cleared and the wood cleared away. Colin reckons that there is one more day's work to be done, clearing away the trees from the bank. Then a contractor will remove the roots, thus preventing re-growth. Colin is firm with the working party: "Only do what you feel suits you". In the course of the afternoon people drift away, perhaps because they are tired, or have children coming out of school. As the sun sets, the remaining six pack up.     Cast of characters: [L to R: Geoff; Dave the Saw; Colin the Gaffer; Long Jim and Bruce Appearing earlier: Jock; Brian; Ian; David and Peter] Photos: Janet Phillips     Come and join us! Details of all groups are in the current issue of Working Party News.     BACK

Last updated December 2001