Cothill Fen and Christmas Meal, 12th December 2015

By Andrew -
For the final session of the calendar year, we were back at Cothill Fen, with our annual Christmas meal held in the nearby pub, the Merry Miller, afterwards.

 There were a lot of similarities with this Saturday and last - once again we were supervised by Judy Webb from Natural England, reed raking was the main task, and the weather was damp but mild.  However, while there were only five of us on the previous occasion, we numbered a dozen this time.

 Having transported tools and tea kit down the track, as usual, we found the fen soggy and the terrain uneven with all the many tussocks tricky to navigate. The reeds had been cut and required raking across approximately half the site, and stacking in existing piles around the perimeter.

 While the majority of our workforce were busy raking and pitchforking, Robert and Colin were given the job of cutting back some of the smaller trees and branches on the edge of the fen.

 In contrast to last week, when our depleted contingent had no hope of completing, on this occasion we got the job done in a timely manner.

 Back up the track to the car park then, and onwards to the pub where we met with a few more members who had turned out for just the meal. A lovely social event with which to conclude another successful year.  Next up will be the AGM in January!
-Andrew

Gathering at 9:30am
The fen upon arrival
Off to work we go...
Andrew in pitchfork action!
Lauren by the tall reeds
Tree stump and tussocks amidst the general sogginess
Lauren levitates!
Towards the end of the session
The track back
The Christmas luncheon
At the bar!
A roaring fire at the Merry Miller

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