Clearing Paths

The first scheduled work party in July was held on Sunday 12th. This was in the middle of the fourth heat wave this year with temperatures often above 30 deg C so rather than cancel it as we did back in June, we started the session early at 9.30am when it was cooler then finished around 11.15am. We decided to clear the valley path near post 10, where we get primroses and bluebells in the spring. The path has narrowed considerably because of overhanging vegetation - mainly bracken. Then if there was time we could clear the path from the top of the valley along to post 6.

This was the path looking uphill. You can see the narrowing caused by the overhanging bracken

This is looking back downhill from the far end end in the previous photo.

Six volunteers turned up and we set about scything down the bracken.

Peter is dealing with the upper part of the slope.

Aiden and Luke are clearing the lower section while Cathy is moving the cut bracken away.

It wasn't long before the bracken was gone and the path restored. 

We had cleared it in good time and were all OK to continue so we moved up to the top of the path to deal with the narrow path between the viewpoint and post 6 at the top of the steps.

This is the path looking from the viewpoint end, near post 8 ....

... and this is looking back from the post 6 end.

Andy is making good progress ...

... and joined by Peter, Luke, Aiden and Cathy soon had the path opened up.

The path is now clear and hot weather will hold back growth so it may stay open for some time.

Despite the hot weather the volunteers did a splendid job today and achieved a lot.