Last Time Out - 8 January 2012 - Grantham Canal (Woolsthorpe by Belvior)

Last time out was a most successful scrub bash on the Woolsthorpe flight of the Grantham Canal over the weekend of 6/7/8 January, with a maximum turnout of 16. The GCS working party had a planned gate-hanging cancelled just before Christmas so had already done much of the work on Locks 14 and 13, leaving us the more accessible 15 and 12 to tackle. An advance party of six (not counting the cooks) attacked 15 on the Friday afternoon, making inroads into the dense scrub around the top gate recess before dark. Saturday saw a dozen from NW and a similar number of locals continue the work on 15 and make a start on 12, which turned out to be much easier going and was virtually finished by (late) lunchtime. The chainsaw gang removed a large ash from below 12 and logged it. A slightly smaller one was similarly removed from below 15 in the afternoon while the rest of the party continued the attack on the thick scrub.

It being clear that there wasn’t enough work for everyone at Woolsthorpe on Sunday, the party split with about half going to do some clearance on the Knipton feeder while the chainsaw gang removed some large blackthorns from the collapsed side of 14 and the rest of the party finished off 15 and removed some general scrub from 14. Again, our numbers were matched by the locals - job done.

Next time out will be over the weekend of 4/5th February (no Friday afternoon this time), again on the Grantham Canal. However, because we finished what was expected to be a two weekend job last time, it won’t be back at Woolsthorpe. (The locks need clearing but the water-control arrangements cannot be made in time.) The PROVISIONAL arrangements are that we will be scrub-bashing (including some chainsaw work) near Mann’s Bridge, Cotgrave, and will stay in the Memorial Hall at Cropwell Bishop, used in the past by WRG camps and said to be well-equipped. Queries/bookings to Malcolm, please. Confirmation/further information will be circulated as available.

First I must belatedly thank you and your team for the brilliant work done on the Woolsthorpe flight and the Knipton feeder. Everyone who has had reason to look has been more than impressed. The HLF people are due again soon and they cannot fail to notice how much progress has been made with your help and assistance.

I have to meet Simon Gent from BW on Wednesday but it looks as though we will be working in the direction from Mann's Bridge towards the new A46 road around locks 9 and 10 near Cotgrave on the weekend of 4/5 February. The towpath is officially closed so we will be able to drive there. I'd like to pull as much out as possible so Turfors and cutting equipment are probably necessary.

John Foley wants to know if anyone wants to try some book bodging (very basic cleaning/tidying etc. of some of the books we are given). No pressure, no deadlines/no skills. Suit someone who attends weekends or paperchase at least a few times a year. One or two people have tried it but not found it exciting enough. Sounds soporific to me so please contact John on jfoley456@btinternet.com or at 01457 853582 if you've nowt better to do.

Publicity

IWA Campaign Festival on the Lancaster Canal at Preston August Bank Holiday 25 -26 August 2012

The IWA Campaign festival will be held on the Lancaster Canal at Preston next year, as part of the Preston Guild celebrations. It’s on the August Bank Holiday weekend (25th -26th August).

For further information please go to http://www.waterways.org.uk/events_festivals/campaign_festival_2012

Trisha Buzzard, is asking for help – she may need help setting up and running the event as well and as there is no National this year and if you need to get your fix of fencing, cable laying etc. this could be the ideal opportunity. Please reply directly to Trisha if you are able to help on pbuzzard@o2.co.uk

The next Paper Chase

The next Ad Hoc

Change of Addresses etc.
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