FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 11th June 2026

Hello Conservation Volunteers

What barmy weather at the moment - for our previous work morning it was 30C, and for our planned rescheduled session of the one cancelled at the end of January due to torrential rain it was 9C up at Porter Clough.....with persistent rain (fortunately not torrential!) But a little rain doesn't stop the hardy volunteers who turned up at Porter Clough suitably attired for the weather.....

Tasks for the morning were to tackle drainage and cutting back of foliage straggling the path.

The core of the group concentrated on the ditch which runs down the side of the path which starts as the wooded area finishes. Being later in the year than usual, everywhere was overgrown with long grass making it difficult to see the ditch. However, by doing regular (almost!) yearly maintenance it was nowhere near as clogged up as it was a few years ago, and the ditch was cleared and was free running at the end of the morning.

The smaller group of three were tasked with clearing all the surface, wooden channel drains further down which run across the path in sections to catch water as it runs down preventing a torrent flushing down the whole path length which would cause even more erosion than occurs currently. Some of these were so blocked with mud and debris the casual walker would not have known they were actually drains.

The drains which are buried beneath the path were also checked but unfortunately, the exit end of one plastic drainpipe which runs under the path to flow away down the valley side could not be found, and with everything else cleared, plus being a little wet it has been left to another (hopefully drier!) time. We have uncovered it in the past, but it will require some digging out. It is an overflow if the ditch becomes full so isn't at this time causing an issue.

So, with that we packed up to walk back up to the top. However, we hadn't finished our work. On the way back there were a couple of drains which needed clearing and some cutting back of anything overhanging the path.

A massive thank you to everybody who turned out on what was an enjoyable although wet morning, although it was hard to tell if some of the "wet" was from the rain or sweat from heavy digging away! Oh, and there was one plus side to the rain - it highlighted where the water was flowing for us to tackle drainage!

The next work morning is on Tuesday 23rd June where we are planning to start Himalayan balsam pulling in the Wet Woodland. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

"Are you sure there is a ditch in here?"

Ditch cleared and flowing

Dave and Andrew starting to clear out the first drain

First one sorted!

Totally covered up and blended into the path unless you know it is there

Cleared out with a channel dug to divert water down the valley side

Walking back up and sorting out a flooded area....

....channel created to drain water away