The Big Help Out, Coronation weekend, Ock river path, Monday 8th May

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 This weeks' blog was written by Eleanor D

As Monday 8th May was Coronation Big Help Out Day, we moved our session from the usual Saturday. The weather was not promising. It was already raining as we met by the bridge. We were at the Town end of the Ock and had been hoping to renew the wood chip path, which was in a very bad state after the Winter rain, but unfortunately the Council were unable to get us any wood chip. However, there was a pile of old wood chip from last year, so Kevin and I set to work patching up the worst parts.

Sally cleared vegetation from around the young trees, which we had planted as small whips two years ago. You can see that many are doing pretty well. Lesley, Dieuwke and Carolyn set off to clear litter and James and Ursula decided to make a protective “doughnut” around a hazel tree whose bark was being chewed by the muntjac deer which inhabit the area.

At break time we enjoyed some Coronation shortbread provided by Sally and cake left over from a Coronation picnic. Kevin and Carolyn had to leave but Barbara joined us and told us about the concert she had attended at Windsor Castle. There was still some wood chip left so Barbara and I decided to continue to patch up the muddiest bits. Unfortunately Kevin had taken his barrow so we had to trudge up and down with shovelfuls.

All things considered, and with only a few of us and no members of the Royal family joining us, we were pleased with what we had managed to do.  


repairing parts of the path



tea time!


helping saplings survive


vegetation clearing and making a donut



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