FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Thursday 14th May 2026

Hello Conservation Volunteers

The task for our latest work morning was in principle quite simple - improve the muddy footpath just down from the Mi Amigo memorial in Endcliffe Park.

First of all, there was the provision of 20 tonnes of gravel to be delivered for 9am, an assembly of the Parks team with their equipment of two gators and a tractor loader, Ranger Matt, and not forgetting our very own volunteers who were joined by a large compliment from DWP bringing volunteer numbers up to a heady 27.

As it turned out the gravel was late, finally arriving about 10am, but that didn't matter as the volunteers were given rakes, shovels, loppers etc. and marched around to the path on the north side of the river to start work.

In preparation for the gravel to be laid, one group started removing loose mud and debris from the path, whilst others were sent scavenging for logs to line the path edges, and another group armed with loppers and bow saws were tasked to cut back all the foliage overhanging the path.

The Parks team had already cordoned off the paths we were to be working on to ensure safety of the public and once the gravel arrived and was piled up by the bridge near the playground everything sprang into life. The gravel was scooped up a bucket full at a time by the tractor and dumped into a gator which delivered it to the team on the path who then had to rake it out on the path. The gator then returned to base, as the second gator was being filled up which then made its way to drop off its load before returning to base with the first gator ready to come back. This went on for the best part of 3 hours!

Once a section of gravel had been spread out it was the turn of the wacker plate to be used to compact it down....and on it went...until eventually all the gravel had been used and compacted. The gravel went a little further than expected going from the end of the tarmac path at Mi Amigo right down to opposite the playground - some length!

During all of this the log scavengers had been busy and had collected a large selection of logs which were placed on both sides of the newly laid gravel path to define it and encourage people to stay on the path, and hopefully not wander of it to allow the bare areas to regenerate.

Those tasked with cutting back on the path made it all the way to the open area near the bridge, making it easier to walk down.

A massive thank you to everybody involved from Andy, Darron and the Parks team, Ranger Matt, the FoPV volunteers, and Andrea and her DWP volunteers and not forgetting Mandy with her date slices, and honey and ginger cookies. The weather was also perfect apart from the heavy hail shower at one point!

The next work morning is on Tuesday 26th May. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

Parks team and volunteers starting to assemble

Marching over to the far side whilst waiting for the gravel

Gravel has arrived with Glyn acting as banksman and information point

Preparing the path ready for gravel to be laid

Gravel being loaded onto the gator

Gator dropping its load off as the volunteers rake it onto the path

Starting to compact the gravel with the wacker plate

Continuing compacting as logs are being laid on the path edges

Meanwhile as the pile gradually shrinks.....

Starting to cut back foliage

Mandy and Roger keeping clear of the gator as it turns around to reverse up to drop off gravel

Some of the cutting crew taking a breather!

Martin with a large log!

Finished path lined with logs