FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Tuesday 23rd September 2025

Hello Conservation Volunteers

We always have a task list of jobs for the work mornings but sometimes we notice a job which needs doing regardless of what we have planned as happened on our latest work morning at Forge Dam on a glorious sunny autumn morning.

On arriving at the dam, we had noticed the bottom end was full of large logs and branches, (not just a few odd branches and sticks), making it seem like we had been invaded by Canadian lumberjacks in the valley! Where had they all come from? Obviously, the heavy rain over the weekend had contributed but the amount and size of logs like these after storms was very unusual, some requiring two people to carry away. There was also a horrible scum on the surface.

Our first job therefore was to remove all of the logs, but where to put them? The desire line we had blocked off on the previous session had once again been removed again by persons unknown, so they have all been used to block it off again. Why somebody feels the need to keep opening up a short desire line through the corner of the Wet Woodland saving a few yards and 10 seconds is a mystery, especially when there is a hard path to use next to it. No doubt this person will move it again; however, Ranger Matt will be felling a dead tree adjacent to the path to it to block it off which will not be as easy to remove.

After completing this impromptu task as well as some cutting back by the millrace, most of the group went onto the planned task of drainage checking and clearing downstream in readiness for the expected pre-winter storms, whilst Ted and Dave stayed behind to cut the hedge on the cobbled path.

Our other main task for the morning was cutting back on the extremely overgrown old Health Authority path. Mandy "Baker" plus Hugh concentrated on cutting back the holly that was intent on demolishing the "trellis" boundary fence and was blocking the path. Another group consisting of Jenny, Mel, Stuart and Linda started on the top part of the path, cutting back the reed like grass which was popping up everywhere. One side has been cut back which has made it passable, the other side will need doing at some point along with clearing the expected annual leaf fall. A great job by both teams!

Mandy had been baking again, and sent Linda first thing to drop off the supply for the log and drain clearing teams so we didn't miss out. As usual the cookies were delicious and are definitely worth turning up for a work morning! Thanks Mandy.

On leaving for the morning, as we passed the dam the scum had disappeared and the dam looked pristine, very picturesque and serene.

A big thank you to everybody who turned out to help on the morning’s tasks.

The next work morning is on Thursday 9th October. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

Some of the large logs in the dam and a scum on the surface

Fishing the logs out (with scum on the surface very visible)

Rebecca putting the men to shame and dragging a large log by herself!

Desire line blocked off again

Ted starting to cut the hedge on the cobbled path

Hedge cut completed

Rebecca clearing out a drain

Health Authority path before cutting

Hugh and Mandy cutting back the holly

Holly cutting completed

Mandy and Hugh

Top part of the path with reed like grass on both sides

After cutting one side

Cutting crew - Stuart, Mel and Jenny

Forge Dam clear of debris and scum looking very serene