Ock Path, Town End - Saturday 12th April 2025

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 Blog by Eleanor, photos by Julio and Eleanor

Nineteen volunteers assembled for our annual task of renewing the woodchip path on the Ock River Walk. It was a warm, sunny day, maybe the last for a while. Other tasks were tidying up the dead wood and fallen branches, removing tree guards where necessary and, of course, litter picking.


The Ock Valley Walk



We proceeded to our usual spot for our base camp next to the wood chip path by the northern branch of the Ock.

Pre task briefing



There was a lot of woodchip left by the Council contractors, but spread around rather than in heaps, so that meant extra work for the shovellers.

The path before





 


Wheelbarrow on the woodchip



We had three wheelbarrows, so the shovellers and rakers started at both ends of the path, hoping to meet in the middle.

Rhian and Carol start raking




Barbara and Sally litter picking



At first, it didn't look as if there was too much litter, but then we keep coming across more. Rebecca thought there wasn't much, but suddenly came upon an area where a party had been going on and large numbers of cider cans and Budweiser bottles had been left lying around.

James and Carolyn by the wood pile




At tea break time we had a chocolate Easter cake as we would not be meeting the following week, Easter Saturday. Fortunately, people were not too greedy so there was enough to go round.

Tea Break




The Easter cake




After the break we continued to work hard as we were determined to finish the whole path, and in the nick of time, the two ends joined up.

The path after.



Here is some of the flora and fauna we saw:

A curious blackbird on a woodchip pile

Ground ivy, moss and a ladybird




Wild garlic




An interesting fungus

A big thank you to everyone for their hard work and we wish them a Happy Easter.

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