Abingdon Riding for the Disabled - Saturday, 9 December 2023

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On Saturday, 9 December, 13 Green Gymmers went to the Riding for the Disabled in Southmoor to help clear vegetation from the stream in an effort to prevent it from flooding.  The late Janet Dale used to volunteer for the RDA, which is how we were introduced and the last time we visited, we planted a willow tree in Janet's memory along the stream.  Lesley continues to volunteer with the RDA so it felt good to return to this special place.  Eleanor was our leader and after assembling in the car park those who wished to don waders did so, whereas the rest of us trusted that our wellies would be up to the task.  Although the skies were grey, the heavy rain that had been forecast in the morning had fizzled out by the time we arrived on site and we enjoyed a very pleasant morning.

We had to negotiate an electric fence (which had been turned off!) and we were able to free one of the wires so that we could scythe and cut without being hampered.  Jim, Barbara and Sally tried scything the fairly steep bank whilst others grabbed loppers to tackle nettles.  We kept an eye out for the presence of water voles, which are sadly endangered having once been very common along our waterways.  We did not see any of the tic-tac shaped droppings which they deposit in their latrines nor any evidence of their larders where they keep their cut vegetation (cut at a 45 degree angle) but we were careful to leave plenty of grass and cover in case any were about.

Luckily, even after the recent rains, the water in the stream came well below the height of our wellies, but we just had to be careful not to get stuck in the oozing mud.

Break time was a rather luxurious affair as we trundled back up the track to HQ where we were able to sit in rather comfy chairs and were treated to delicious homemade cake.  Suitably fortified, we ventured back to the stream for a bit more clearing.  A good morning's work.

Blog and photos by Sally

Ursula, Rosie and Jim start work along the fence line

Eleanor directing Helen, Joan and Henry

Don't fence me in!

Kevin takes the plunge

Progress at break time

Kevin, Henry and Helen beaver away

Joan with a forkful 

Barbara in clearing up mode

Lesley having fun

Joan and Carolyn in tandem

Helen mid stream

Sally swapping to loppers

Barbara looking pleased with progress

After the cut



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