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Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to all the volunteers who came along to our latest work morning. One of the main tasks of the morning was to mulch the 350+ hawthorn whips along the bridle path which were planted in December 2022. There is a programme in place with Community Forestry for mulching every year for 5 years and the whips had received their first mulch last May 2023 on a truly horrendous wet morning, so the weather was much kinder this time! Two truckloads of bark mulch had been dropped off ready for the mulching team, and with all FoPV wheelbarrows in action the team were off. We didn't have the colourful trugs this year but Ranger Matt had supplied some cut off 2 litre milk cartons to use instead, but unfortunately they weren't quite up to the task - 4 or 6 litre needed next time.....or the trugs! The whips are already in leaf and look really healthy, and with the additional mulch to keep the weeds down and retain moisture they should have another good growing year. One of the other main tasks of the morning was to help Ranger Matt deal with the severe infestation of horsetail (often called mare's tail) which has taken over and is crowding out other plants on the open green space on the other side of Carr Bridge. Four of us had received council training in using strimmers in public places last December and Matt had acquired four 2-stroke strimmers to help him cut it back. Phil's strimmer had major mechanical failure after only a few minutes of use so we left with just the 3 strimmers to cut down it down! It's not an easy plant to control and will grow again but it will be monitored and strimmed back again when needed. A few herbivore dinosaurs would no doubt have dealt with them a 100 million years ago! Further up the valley, another team was busy clearing blocked up drains and returned with a broken fork (that's what mattocks are for Martin!) Back in the store at Forge Dam where the ducks had been put into hibernation ready for next year's race, Mike was doing some fixing and tidying up of the launch equipment. Thanks to Mandy for supplying the chocolate peanut crispies - just what we needed! The next work morning is on Thursday 9th May. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Part of the mulching team at the Carr Bridge end of the bridle path Whips looking green and healthy with a new layer of mulch John in action strimming Phil looking for lost (and not found!) strimmer parts! Mandy bringing chocolate peanut crispies to the strimming team

Hello Conservation Volunteers A big thank you to all our volunteers who turned out to help with more planting, digging, and fencing in Bingham Park on our latest work morning. After the disastrous floods last October which washed away most of the grass and wildflower seeds, this time we had decided to use plug plants. Along with the plants Ann had collected from our supplier and with some donated ones, we had a good selection of primroses, anemones, dog violet, wild garlic and forget-me-nots and the planting team were soon on their knees on the two areas either side of the coffee cart. Hopefully these plug plants will take root and have a better chance of survival. Further up Helena and another team were digging over a new area of compacted soil ready for further planting and sowing of grass seed. A temporary fence has been erected around this area. Meanwhile Chris and Rowena were attending to the path edges, one of those overlooked tasks but which make a great difference and improvement to the overall look of the park. Between them they removed a few barrow loads of soil and debris on a long stretch which has widened the path - more to be done in the future though! There are a few blocked drains which were full of soil along the main path and causing flooding issues, so Andy and Darron took the opportunity to tackle and clear some of these. The rest of the group were involved in removing the temporary fencing, driving in new wooden posts, drilling the holes for the rope and threading the rope through (which is more fiddly than it sounds when it is also wrapped around each post!). Additional information signs on taller posts have also been installed. The missing rope which had been deliberately cut and removed by somebody on the small triangular area by the coffee cart was also replaced. Many thanks to Andy, Darron, and everybody else from Parks and Countryside who arranged and brought all the supplies required and helped with the tasks. The next work morning is on Tuesday 23rd April. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Linda on her knees planting! Ted, Alan, Phil and Helena digging over compacted soil The completed patch fenced off and ready for sowing and p[anting Rowena and Chris clearing the path edges Part done and looking better One of the clogged up drains Andy taking a break from drain clearing Darron and Andy Tony and Dave installing fence posts Dave, Stephen and Stuart installing a post for a sign Roping up at the bottom end Top end completed Missing bottom rope replaced

The Forge Dam Playground is about to see another improvement…….. the rather worn rows of swings will be replaced by a new and extended run. We have been informed that the contractor will start this work from week comencing 15th April 2024. This will mean a few days without swings but the new ones will probably be ready for the May Bank Holiday and will meet the obvious increased demand. There will also be interesting variants ….. including at least one double unit which will please children who want to swing together. This will be the 4th improvement within the existing playground space. (2023 saw the communication signage board, a repaint of the central climbing unit and a special disability accessible swing). The existing confines of the playground just do not permit introduction of any extra or extended pieces of equipment. Ideally we need to be able to use the bank and incorporate the adjacent informal parking space, however it is still not clear whether the ground is sound enough to permit this. We are pursuing this with the Council Playgrounds Service. If the area could be extended it would be time to work up a whole new layout, but the piecemeal approach so far has actually served well: donations have been used promptly for improvements suggested in the late 2022 consultation rather than saved up only perhaps to lose value over time. There is a 5th improvement that could be made in 2024: The worn central climbing unit could be replaced in its present position if funds permitt …… and that will be the next focus of fundraising. Watch this space for further news

Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to everyone who turned out to help in preparations for the forthcoming Duck Race. One of the main tasks was for those in wellies and waders to walk the course from start to finish removing stones and debris which would hinder the passage of the little ducks swim down the river, as well as looking out for any ducks which may have been hiding in the bankside this past year! A final course walk will take place by the launch team on Monday morning prior to the race to remove any other debris which may have been washed down. The other less glamorous task is litter picking. Armed with plastic bags and their litter pickers they went out two by two walking all over the park to collect the bottles, cans, and any other litter. We are fortunate in that Endcliffe Park does not suffer with a serious visible litter problem, although it is amazing how much was collected. The worst area is on the roadside bank of the Nether Spurgear Wheel Dam (nearest to the mini roundabout) which seems to be a dumping ground for everything from bottles and cans to garden waste in black plastic bags thrown over the railings. There is still more to be removed another time from here. Last year we found a battleship lurking in the bankside. Nothing as exciting was found this year, however, a fresh raw hens egg was found by the litter pickers in the undergrowth at the side of a path. We don't believe there is a hen running around Endcliffe Park unless it is putting a red stamp mark of origin on its eggs as they are laid! Thanks to Ranger Matt for dropping off the tables and plastic mats for the stalls, as well as pigtail spikes which are used to set up the finish line. Mandy had baked some delicious raspberry flapjack but there were only 3 stragglers who had been litter picking at the top end of the park left at the end of morning  to enjoy it! So, we are all ready for the big launch on Monday and fingers crossed the weather is kinder than last year! The next work morning is on Thursday 11th April where we will be in Bingham Park working on the grass areas, installing posts etc. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Dave/Nick/Chris "Looks a bit deep and cold in there we'll let Heather do this bit"! Litter pickers catch up with river clearer Martin Dave and Nick still discussing whether to get in the water talking to litter picker Peter Litter Pickers in action Lorna and Mel Heather now doing litter picking after helping the nesh river boys out! Hilary and Linda Phil and Peter Mandy and Lyndon in the bushes! Heather and Mandy with some of the collected rubbish Sampling Mandy's raspberry flapjack Stragglers team selfie!

Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to everyone who turned out for our latest work morning where we had one group at Forge Dam and another at Ann's for a special task! Up near Carr Bridge somebody had recently dumped garden waste, so Simon and Chris went up to move it and see if any was maybe usable for dead hedging. Although we do not condone dumping of any rubbish of any kind whether it is in our valley or elsewhere it turned out there were some usable thin branches of what was probably willow which has been repurposed in the second dead hedge. The rest has been tidied away. Path edging and tidying was the order of the day for the rest of the volunteers around Forge Dam. The path to Fulwood Old Chapel which had been started at our previous work morning has now been fully edged and swept and has created a neat and tidy entrance for visitors to the park. Elsewhere, the entrance to Festival Woodland was looking a little forlorn with grass spreading out onto the tarmac path. Again, this has been cleared, tidied, and swept, so all in all a good morning's path clearance work by the team. Down at Ann's, the special task was for Duck Race preparations, more specifically awning erection practice! After the storm at last year's Duck Race had damaged some of the awnings they had been checked and cannibalised in the summer to create five complete working awnings, however, with some new faces volunteering to help erect on the day and fuzzy memories for the rest of us on which pole goes where a practice session had been arranged. Rob arrived with a brand-new toolbox on wheels to contain hopefully every tool required for the day including hammers, gaffer tape and a selection of special tent pegs to screw into hard ground. Fortunately, the weather was kind and the rain held off until we had finished, and we are all ready for the big day! To finish the morning off Peter, our fixer-upper, had purchased a replacement wheel for one of the FoPV wheelbarrows but it would not fit onto the axle. Dave, (who never throws anything away!) came to the rescue with an old axle and sleeve to fit the new bushes. Success, one working wheelbarrow! The next work morning is on Tuesday 26th March where we will be at Endcliffe Park doing various tasks in readiness for the Duck Race. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Garden waste dumped near Carr Bridge Chris moving the branches and assembling into the dead hedge Gill and Stephen working on the path to Fulwood Old Chapel The team in action! Stuart, Rebecca and Phil showing off their handy work The finished path Peter, Dave and Paul working on the path to the Festival Woodland entrance Paul and Dave after clearing the entrance to Festival Woodland Erecting awnings One fully up..... Rob's toolbox on wheels! The wheelbarrow with the old wheel..... .....and with the new wheel

Hello Conservation Volunteers A BIG thank you to all of the 25 volunteers who turned up for our latest morning around the Forge Dam area - a fantastic turnout - where we had a number of tasks for everybody to get stuck into (and no snow this time!). The building of the second hedge which was abandoned last time in the snow was one of the main tasks, and this time the team had the post rammer and a fencing hammer (kindly dropped off by Ranger Matt) to drive the upright stakes into the tough ground. A lack of enough decent material (probably taken by the team repairing the other dead hedge team last time out!) left the team scavenging for branches to weave into the fence but managed to find enough to complete the hedge. Back in October, Storm Babet had done its worst down the valley, and with Forge Dam threatening to overspill and wash the cafe away, sandbags had been placed to protect it and were still in place, so with Spring around the corner, now was a good time to move them and tidy up. It proved a good workout for the sandbag team to move and stack them behind the store (reds first, blacks on top to disguise them!), sweep the paths and make the place look tidier. The sandbag team then turned their attentions to the path which runs behind the playground. Soil washed off the bank had over years collected on the path and narrowed it. The edges have been cut back and the path thoroughly swept. On the top path which goes to Fulwood Old Chapel, a further group tackled the main footpath which had become a muddy mess near to the gate. The path edges up to the second bench have also been cut back and the path swept. Down at Wire Mill Dam another team have removed all the debris which had collected in the corner and removed branches in the dam which could be reached, although others have become lodged on the bottom and could not be budged (for now!) As usual, the goit needed attention as it was becoming blocked at the grill and backing up. All debris has been removed and was free flowing again (they say it dropped a foot after the blockages were removed!) We also had some litter pickers out, walking around doing a general litter pick. One area needing attention was up by the large, fallen holly tree which we had stripped on the last work morning. A campfire had been made by somebody and they had left all their litter in the area. Ann had been joined for the morning by Rachel Reeston who is our dedicated Co-op Pioneer who support various causes via the Co-op Local Community Fund of which FoPV Playground is one this year. Together they did various gardening jobs on the main driveway, cutting, planting and tidying up. (If you wish to help raise money for FoPV via the Co-op Local Community Fund you just need to register to be a member of the Co-op, select FoPV as your cause and then show your membership number every time you shop in any Co-op store. It costs £1 to register but you get that back on your first shop. If you are already a member check which cause you are supporting and hopefully choose FoPV! The easiest way is via the Co-op app on your phone) The next work morning is on Thursday 14th March. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning The footpath to Fulwood Old Chapel - before Stuart, Gill and Rowena working on the path Rowena, Stuart and Peter working on the path A clean and mud free path at the end of the morning - still some more to do! Dead hedge building team in action Putting the temporary netting back for now The completed dead hedge Sandbags in place since Storm Babet Moving sandbags Alan, Mike and Martin working on the path above the playground Sandbag and path team selfie! A restored and clean path

Some good news stories that have hatched since the January Newsletter.  We have been busy with a number of projects in parallel and this is the present stage they are all at: 1.  Bingham Activity Trail ready, installed and busy with small customers. It seems to have taken a long time but the Activity or Adventure Trail for children aged 2 to 7 years is finally in place. Congrats to the Bingham Park Community Group for their persistence, to a local employer for the generous donation, to Parks colleagues, Councillor Barbara Masters, and to the contractors who coped with tempests and snow last week! We have received a lot of thanks from passing parents, and from people who have seen some of the publicity online. 2.   Shepherd Wheel’s first major restoration in 13 years has started. Some of you may have spotted our partner engineers busy inside the museum recently, This photo of the hoist, which had to be specially designed to remove the worn main driving drum, was paid for from donations into the FoPV’s green bucket collections, so thank you to everyone who has contributed in that way. The Museum’s Trust crucial engineering arm has been carefully planning for months how to keep the fragile machinery running, and this is the first in a run of restorations.  Many of you know  Duncan Edwards from visiting the workshops, he has spent many hours re-creating the many individual wooden pieces that make up this drum, and which, once assembled, should guarantee continued running of the works for a good while. The Shepherd Wheel will be open this weekend as usual but of course the wheels will be stationary, however FoPV volunteers and Museums Trust duty engineer will be on hand to explain what’s going on. 3.  Forge Dam Swings total replacement and enlargement to meet demand. Goodness this playground is so busy!  We are limited by  its present layout and footprint, but since FoPV  has about £30,000 now in the fund  we have decided to gain improvement by another piecemeal change. Last year you will have seen the new accessible swing, the new communication board and the repainting of the old central climbing frame.  This year we are seriously investing and all the present swings will be replaced on an extended framework which will increase the number of seats available. And one new piece will accommodate 2 users, a facility that so many users with more than one child begged for! Timing:  unlikely before Easter but we shall keep you informed. 4.  Bingham Park last disused tennis court properly used. Along with the Bingham Park Community Group, Council Parks colleagues and Councillors, we  have nearly settled on a design to complete the spare tennis court with netting and wall ready for more family activities in the next phase of improvements. Timing :  after Easter 5.  The Endcliffe Park iconic wooden Toad and FoPV’s 2024 The Endcliffe Park iconic wooden Toad is eroding away and FoPV’s 2024  Duck race and other fundraising will pay for a replacement by the same sculptor ….. Jason Thomson. Designs are still  being discussed but we promise a more durable but equally climbable and lovable Toad!  Not wood but metal. Timing: summer. Ducks are available online now, to buy yours click the button here. 6.  And finally. We have the prospect of getting a Pétanque (boules) pitch in the Porter Valley. Discussions are at an early stage so fingers crossed for another first in Sheffield.  It is likely to be a very popular facility! Timing: when we secure sufficient donations and grants! In the meantime enjoy the spring and Easter! Ann le Sage FoPV

Hello Conservation Volunteers For all those brave souls who came to our very snowy work morning at Forge Dam, a very big thank you! We hope you all got home safely. Ranger Matt had informed us of a large holly tree across the Porter which had come down in a recent storm and would be ideal material for building the second dead hedge where the temporary orange fence currently is on the bridleway. We all had in our minds the size of a "large" holly tree and were suitably aghast at the size of this - an absolute monster of a holly tree, with branches thicker than the trunks of many holly trees - if there is another in the valley larger than this fallen brute please let us know! Not deterred by the unexpected size, a team removed the masses of thinner, outer branches first before moving onto the large branches, leaving the skeleton trunk devoid of branches laying across the river. Left over brash was piled up to make another habitat for insects and wildlife. The dead hedge near the hibernaculum had been damaged by people climbing over it, which in turn was affecting the hawthorn whips and needed attention. Another team set to work, firstly to reset the stakes which had become loose and then to add more material to strengthen it. It was the intention to cut the willow down in the north-west corner of Forge Dam and use to build up the height of the hedge, but this was not feasible on the day, and instead branches from the holly tree were carted across for the team to use. After adding some additional supporting stakes and weaving in the holly branches the height of the hedge has been doubled! Hopefully this will deter anybody trying to climb it. Thick branches to be used as stakes to start building the second hedge were selected and moved over to the second hedge building team, however after a few attempts to knock them in with a sledgehammer it was decided to leave it until another session and use a post rammer (and hopefully better weather!) There was only one casualty of the morning, one of Simon's waterproof gloves sprung a leak resulting in the yellow fur lining dye transferring to his whole hand......forever now known as Yellow Hand Simon! The only disappointment of the morning was the (lack of) flapjack. Mandy had specially baked some flapjack for the troops which we were looking forward to eating in such inclement weather, but being a fair weather only volunteer has popped them back in her freezer until the sun comes out! A great morning's work by all and a deserved coffee in the cafe afterwards (minus the flapjack!) The next work morning is on Tuesday 27th February. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning The holly tree stretching from the far left to the second yellow jacket from the right Cutting up the holly tree as te snow became heavier Heather: "Stop taking pictures and help me move this!" Holly tree at the end of the morning with the large brash pile in front of it Chris and "Yellow Hand" Simon knocking a supporting stake into the first dead hedge Simon showing his yellow hand with Mel and Chris at the restored dead hedge The completed dead hedge Heather at the second hedge Steve, Mel, Dave and Chris knocking off for the morning Just as well we didn't need the throw ropes! This is what we could have had - a nice tease by Mandy! A selection of photos around Forge Dam looking picturesque in the snow

Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to everybody who came along to Shepherd Wheel on what was quite a wet morning (for some more than others!). The main task was to remove the pond weed from the dam, trying out a different method to that which we usually use. Previously, we have thrown Chris N's "patented" weed pond removal rake from the side as far we can and drag it back which gets tiring after a while and only reaches about halfway across. Ranger Matt had previously cleared some undergrowth on the far bank with the intention of having people on both banks pulling the rake backwards and forwards on rope to collect the weed, and he had turned up suitably attired in waders to facilitate getting the ropes across to the far bank and also to guide and ensure the rake did not become stuck. Starting off with a continuous rope loop appeared to work until the knot came undone (somebody obviously hadn't been in the boy scouts!), and with Matt's waders having sprung a leak so he had changed out of them, we were unable to gather both ends to join it back together, and it proved too far to throw to the other bank with a heavy stick on the end. Never defeated, having still one length of rope on each bank attached to the rake, a quick adjustment was made and weed collecting resumed. There is no doubt we removed more weed this time being able to drag it all the way across to both banks. Maybe next time we need a heavy rubber ball with string tied to it to throw across which itself is tied to the rope to get the rope across! The collected weed has been piled up on the bank sides to allow any small creatures to climb back into the water. The old barley bale was removed, ready for Jack to install a new one. Further down near Ibbotson Wheel Dam, Dave, Mel and Heather went into what Google Maps calls "Westwood Road Copse" (who knew that?) which has become totally overgrown in cherry laurel, a great example of how cherry laurel will take over an area and grow to tree size! This was just a first foray into the edge of the area, but it is on our list to have some laurel bashing sessions in the future to clear it and allow other plant species to grow. On a more disappointing note, one of the rope fences we installed in Bingham Park last September has had the bottom rope completely cut and at both ends and removed. If anybody knows anything about this please get in touch. The next work morning is on Thursday 8th February. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Ranger Matt all ready in his waders with apprentice Caitlin on hand to rescue him! Setting up the continuous rope loop system Matt spear fishing?? In action! Dragging weed in on the opposite bank Dave, Heather and Mel tackling a cherry laurel tree Lower rope cut on the ends and taken

Hello Conservation Volunteers A big thank you to everybody who turned out at Forge Dam for our first work morning of 2024 where we had various task teams out to clear and fix after the recent rainy weather. The first team set off to tackle the mud and drainage at the bottom of the cobbled path behind the cafe. We had created a sump and installed a drainage pipe a few years ago which has really helped on alleviating the muddy puddle which congregated there but it had been in need of attention for a while. The team cleared the sump out and ensured the pipe was clear. The mud was cleared off the path and as to show off they even washed the path down! (see photo). It seems such a shame to walk on it with muddy boots! On the west side of the dam another team was aiming to stop the water running across the path at the lowest point near the corner where (unfortunately) there isn't a drain under the path. Having looked at the lie of the land in this area and the way the water drains out of the Wet Woodland running down to both this corner and also to the sump/drain which was cleared last year, the plan was to ensure the water flowed only to the drain, thereby (theoretically!) no water should flow to the corner side and therefore no longer drain across the path. A channel was dug and banked to divert it to the drain only. On going back to check a couple of days later the plan has worked. The gulley at the side of the path no longer has water has flowing in it and has started to dry up, plus, no water is flowing across the path. Sometimes the simplest of solutions are the best! Further down the valley a large team went down to the drain with two pipes near the stepping stones, which was cleared out on our last work morning but was still not clear, overflowing onto the path and eroding it, and creating a mini wet woodland on both sides of the path with large ponds forming. On rodding the pipes, large branches/sticks were found to be part of the issue blocking it and eventually a torrent of water flowed out of the pipes and the ponds were soon gone. Leaf and stick debris has been cleared away from these areas to prevent it being washed back in. Just below the pipe exit a gloopy, bright orange iron oxide patch was noticed on the bank side, unlike anything which is normally seen, so a quick science lesson was given by our resident geologist, Peter, (who had not seen anything quite like it), who proceeded to prod it with a spade. To our surprise a previous unknown drainage pipe, completely blocked, was there! The rods were back out and after a lot of effort bubbles were seen in the middle of the thick, muddy pond, and after more rodding eventually a gush of muddy water came out of the pipe. The pipe entrance could then be seen and what looked like a mud bath around it was cleared out. For now, some old bricks have been laid around it. Once it has dried up we will go back to check it out and improve. Not done yet for the morning, the team then moved on to the path at the top of the steps by the concrete bridge near the stepping stones. As the path that approaches the steps had become muddy, walkers had laid sticks down which is not the best surface to walk on. It was our belief there was a good hardcore path underneath the sticks and mud so the sticks and mud were removed, only to find another layer of sticks and mud....and more sticks and mud.....a bit like peeling an onion! After removing all the layers we finally got down to the actual path which was in perfect condition. Elsewhere, around the dam the paths have been swept, particularity under the holly tree where the redwings had been feasting on the holly berries - messy eaters! Ann also cleared the sticks and debris from the plant border. The next work morning is on Tuesday 23rd January where we are planning to be at Shepherd Wheel. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning The mud free and washed down cobbled path! The sump on the other side of the railings with the drain pipe just showing Channel diverting water down to the drain on the west side and no longer going over to the corner (right) Two days later, gulley is water free and drying out. No water across the path Starting to rod out the drain near the stepping stones (the orange iron oxide gloop can be seen bottom centre) Tony pulling the sticks out of the pipe (one is stuck on the rod spike end!) A whirlpool forms as the pipes are cleared and water starts to run out - like removing the bath plug! Water starting to gush out - mind your feet Tony! Water rushing down the gulley Peter, Barry,Anna, Phil, Tony and Mel with a clear and free flowing drain Final photo call - Peter, Anna, Barry, Lyndon, Phil and Mel We omitted to get a photo of the gloopy orange mess before it was moved, hence this poor quality crop. Check the first photo of "Starting to rod out the drain" to see its position Breakthrough! Thick mud draining out The residual mud after the water has drained out Old bricks collected from the river to mark its position Removing mud and sticks from the path (sticks already removed can be seen on the bank on the left) Mel and Phil with a stick and mud free path Finished path (mud and sticks on the bank on the right)

Our contact in the Council, Claire Watts, has provided us with some updates and plans for 2024. As of January 2024 this is what is planned at Forge Dam in 2024 as follow-ons from the de-silting works: Bridlegate / maintenance gate installation Following the stakeholder meeting in 2022, a contractor has now been appointed to install the new access control feature where the bridleway meets Quiet Lane / Woodcliffe.  Installation is expected March 2024.  Thanks to the Public Rights of Way team for funding this element of work. Trash Screen installation on the Millrace Lightmain have been commission to fabricate and install a trash screen to prevent damage to the penstock on the millrace.  Installation will take place as soon as weather conditions permit – but most likely in Spring.  It will be necessary to fully open the penstock to drop the water levels sufficiently for them to safely access the area. The above works will be planned to co-incide with a condition survey of the dam wall and spillway as part of investigations to resolve the leaking sluice.  A specialist contractor will be procured in the new year to advise on an appropriate penstock design and safe method of working to allow access to the spillway sluice for installation.  The Council’s Capital Delivery Service have been commissioned to take this work forward. Silt-trap emptying Our initial request for quotations came back rather over the odds, so we are having further discussions with the preferred contractor to work out a method which can be repeated year on year. Progress updates will be added as and when we hear.

Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to everybody who came along for our final work morning of 2023 where we met at Forge Dam. As we all trooped down the valley looking like castoffs from Snow White and the Seven dwarves to any passersby, carrying an assortment of mattocks, pickaxes, spades, and forks, (not forgetting the wheelbarrow!), the drop off point for the first group was at what has become a very large plot of invasive snowberry. The forecast was good for our first attempt to dig some of it out i.e. no frost, so the ground was soft and diggable, albeit very claggy, sticking annoyingly to the tools and soles of our boots - we were all two inches taller at the end of the morning! The aim is to dig it out complete with roots so it will not regrow, but it is a tough job, not helped as some roots have wrapped themselves around nearby tree roots. A start has been made though and we will see how much of this patch regrows next year but there is so much more to be done in the future. The second group stopped just a stone's throw further along at the path which goes up to the old Health Authority. The path was covered in leaves and debris making it very slippery, but Linda and Stuart got to work sweeping it all away to leave a clean path. We know the path is part of Linda's regular running route so it's now all clear for her to run off all the Christmas turkey and pud on Boxing Day! The final group was the drainage crew who made their way to the bottom of the bridle path where a blocked drain had created a large dam spreading across the path. This is a rather peculiar drain with a prominent large diameter pipe with little water coming out it and a smaller more hidden pipe at the side where more water usually comes out, but when rodding either one of the two pipes the rod always emerges at the far end of the other pipe! Having cleared this drain, the crew walked back on the other side of the river finally stopping at the goit which once again needed a good clear out. Meanwhile at Forge Dam, Ann had been selling more Christmas wreaths, cards, and calendars. Mandy as usual provided the homemade snacks, this time delicious and festive spicy oat biscuits with raisins and cranberries (some of us got two!) The final stop before returning for a coffee for the snowberry crew was down in the river to wash the clinging mud off all the tools and boots! So as 2023 draws to an end we can look back at what has been accomplished this year: the usual balsam pulling and goit clearing; completion of the hawthorn whip planting (and also mulching them all in torrential rain!); dead hedge building; the railings on the cobbled path having the rust removed, primed, undercoated, and a clean white topcoat applied; drainage at Porter Clough cleared after the storms; drainage around Forge Dam path fixed; clearance of cherry laurel and rhododendron; reducing the height of the beech hedge near the cafe and planting more beech saplings in the gaps; installation of a new bench on the viewpoint overlooking Forge Dam; new information board in Festival Woodland; clearing overgrown vegetation at Shepherd Wheel; starting restoration of the grass verges at Bingham Park with the installation of post and rope fencing, and wildflower seed and plug planting  (unfortunately the second sowing was washed away in the storms)...for starters! We'll be taking a break on Boxing Day (our usual Tuesday) so our first work morning of 2024 is on Thursday 11th January 2024. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Finally, thank you to everybody who has helped on the work mornings throughout the year, we hope to see you all again in 2024. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Volunteers snaking their way down the valley, John at the back with the wheelbarrow! Working on the snowberry patch Mandy: "You dig and I'll pull" Feeding time! At the end of the morning Washing off! Stuart and Linda path clearing Linda's running path all clear! Flooded path before clearing the drain Martin and Tony doing a final clearance of leaves after the pipe has been cleared