Today six volunteers litter picked the Bradley Stoke Way edge of Savages Wood. We even used an extended pole saw to hook down some of the strange plastic flowers that grow on some of the trees.
Next week we pay our annual visit to Davis’ pond, hopefully a skip will have been laid on and will stayempty enough for long enough for us to use.
Many thanks to those who turned out for the Ram Hill quiz Wednesday night. I do not think it a coincidence that all the members of the winning team (modesty prevents me from saying by how many points) are or were members of BS Green Gym!
A glance at the rota informs me that it is Sara’s turn to take the blame. Not for anything she did, she wasn’t even there today, but rotas are rotas and it is her turn.
Today eight volunteers met at the marsh. We divided into two groups: group 1 re-instated irrigation channels dug last year, group 2 continued the attempt to remove two obstructions in the Stoke Brook caused by fallen trees.
Now as to progress:
Group 1 succeeded admirably, water now gushes into the various sumps and channels across the marsh, we even dug a new one and cleared the Breyden Brook much to the interest of two onlooking rats.
Group 2 made a valiant effort but the trees were too big to shift. There was a problem with elementary mathematics being little or no understanding of the equation - 0.75 metres of water minus 0.15 metres of boot = two wet feet. Nor is there any requirement when clearing streams to ‘black up’ like an SAS operative by covering yourself in mud.
When the Project Leader visited the group the situation was clear, the ladies were in the brook up to their proverbials whilst the gentlemen stood on the bank and watched.
I blame Quentin - no reason it’s just his turn.
Today our merry band of Green Gym volunteers set out to construct chicken wire fencing to block canine access to two of our three amphibian ponds. On completion of these tasks we actually had a good look at the newest pond where we found several patches of frog spawn and two Smooth Newts one female and one male. Unfortunately they were at opposite ends of the pond so romance may never blossom. Let’s hope the wire keeps the dogs out.
Today seven volunteers litter picked the marsh and the reserve edge between the Braydon Ave gate and Baileys Court Rd. We collected:
1 shopping trolley
1 shopping basket
1 traffic cone
1 motor cycle tyre
Sundry bits of pipe,plastic,wood etc.
And fifteen sacks of rubbish - i think a new record for GG.
In the course of this we noticed:
the channels dug last year have become blocked and the sumps are therefor dry
There is a large tree in the Stoke Brook beginning to cause a blockage.
So: we will be changing the schedule and revisiting the marsh the week after next to tackle both problems.