FoPV Work Morning Roundup - Tuesday 25th November 2025

Hello Conservation Volunteers

For our latest work morning we were at Shepherd Wheel for the annual cutting back of vegetation on the dam shelf and along the paths. Normally we also clear masses of weed out of the dam, however, for the second year running there has not been any weed in the dam which is a little mystifying - but less work!

In previous years once all seeds have dropped, we have totally cleared the shelf but this year the intention was to leave some areas uncut as a wildlife refuge for insects over winter. With the help and advice from Ranger Matt we identified and marked out areas which were to be cleared and those to be left, some small clumps and some larger sections to give a variety which also continued to allow views to the dam. Once marked out our volunteers eagerly set to the task including cutting willow and alder self-sets which had taken root on the shelf. Unfortunately, due to the dam being lined with a butyl rubber liner and to avoid rupturing it we can't dig them out.

The path edge by the shelf near the noticeboard and information sign had been taken over by grass growing into the path, all looking a bit unkempt, but after a bit of scraping and digging this has all been cleared, with the vegetation on the other side of the path being cleared back 1m. All mud and debris on the path down to the bridge and the bridge has also been cleared.

Down by the small goit inlet to the dam another team also adjusted the barley bale along with their other cutting back tasks.

As we were cutting back near the "No Dogs" sign a black plastic bag, half buried, was found with something large, wrapped inside (a sawn-off shotgun maybe?), however, on further scrutiny it turned out to be a pair of rusty shears. After asking around they didn't belong to any of our volunteers and the blades didn't meet up properly. Suspicion was they belonged to somebody who had been doing some unauthorised fishing (apparently, they had been cutting the plants back to get to the water). If they did belong to our volunteers, sorry, they were taken away by Matt for the tip!

So, all in all, a good morning's work by everybody, and all wondering what Mandy the baker had concocted for treats this time? We didn't have to wait long for Mandy to roll out her mincemeat flapjacks - delicious, another winner!

Thank you to everybody who came along and to Ranger Matt for bringing the tools.

The next work morning is on Thursday 11th December which will be our final work morning of 2025. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details.

Lyndon

A Selection of photos from the work morning

Before at the noticeboard

Hugh digging out the tough grass on the path

Some cleared and more to do....

The suspicious package half buried!

Heather and Roger now helping to clear the grass from the path

Noticeboard area cleared

Before...

....after with more working on the shelf the other side

Mel cutting back on the path side

Martin looking on at the guys working on the inlet end

The cleared bridge

And at the end of the session