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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

Hello Conservation Volunteers Another fantastic turnout for our penultimate work morning of 2023 - thank you to everyone who attended for the various tasks we had planned at Forge Dam. Our wreath makers had requested more foliage for the wreaths and swags (or is it sprays...there has been much debate over the naming of these!), so we had two foraging groups out, one downstream and one upstream on the lookout for snowberries, holly with berries, leylandii, ivy and yew, with a special request for golden yew! Both groups returned with the goods. The holly has been tremendous this year with the valley flooded (probably the wrong choice of words!) with red holly berries wherever you look, and we have managed to get in before the waxwings take them all in the next couple of weeks. The non-native, invasive snowberry lower down was apparently past its best with the white berries dropping off when cut - we will be digging this out totally over future sessions. The large drain with the FoPV plaque on it in the head goit to Wiremill had become blocked with debris, and water was flowing around it rather than through it. A small group tackled this before moving on to clear the grill further along before finishing at Wiremill to clear more debris from the dam. Meanwhile, Peter and Phil at the millrace tackled the overgrown vegetation around it and removed the pine branches which had fallen into it. On the far side of the dam the drainage crew were out again - our volunteers do seem to like the mucky jobs! The previously uncovered drainage sump on the west side was blocked with leaves and the small drainage ditch was blocked and overflowing creating a layer of mulch comprising of silt and rotting leaves on the path. The ditch has been cleared and dug out to deepen it (a drainage pipe will be installed next year), and the stones re-positioned at the sump to prevent it becoming blocked. It was all flowing well when we left it. In the north-west corner, water coming down the path from the Wet Woodland was also flooding onto the path. The hidden and buried drainage sump was found and dug out, the drainpipe under the path rodded and the plastic drainpipe (removed from the other drain a few sessions ago) installed to aid drainage. The drainage ditch running down from the Wet Woodland to the sump looked like it hadn't been cleared for years with loose concrete kerbs having fallen into it. An old drainpipe made up of individual, loosely connected one foot clay drainpipes was also discovered running down under the ditch and then disappearing diagonally across the path, obviously abandoned at some time as it became blocked, and hence the ditch had been dug. The full length of the ditch has been cleared to drain the water into the sump at the bottom. At the bottom of the woodland path as it meets the new tarmac path where it had become very muddy, hardcore removed from the river back in September has been laid down to create a firm surface. To finish off, the tarmac path around the dam has been thoroughly brushed and tidied up and is looking spick and span! Our final work work morning of 2023 is on Thursday 14th December 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Peter and Phil at the millrace Millrace cleared Two babes (foraging) in the woods! Heather and Mel ditch clearing Steve with a splattered muddy face Clearing the drain and ditch on the west side Digging out the drain and sump on the north-west corner Heather and Mike installing the plastic drainpipe Drainage ditch cleared Hardcore laid at the bottom of the path Ted clearing the path Peter and Ted at the end of the morning session Swept and tidied paths!

Hello Conservation Volunteers Wow, what a fantastic turnout for our latest work morning up at Porter Clough, over 20, so many in fact Ranger Matt had to go and fetch more spades! The aim of the morning was to clear the blocked gullies and drains which had contributed to some of the damage to the paths below the wooded area. The long stretch of drainage ditch which had been cleared on several work mornings in 2022 was full of silt and was first port of call for attention. Looking rather like a chain gang at work, the volunteers spread out to tackle their own area of ditch to dig out, quite a muddy job but it didn't deter them, in fact some seemed to actually enjoy being covered in mud - that can be the only reason Rebecca decide to take a dive in it! Further down by the old, stumpy willow tree, a previously unknown plastic drainpipe had been uncovered where the path had been eroded away, although neither end could be seen. The riverside end was eventually found and rodded to remove some silt debris however it proved impossible to get the rods completely through, and the other end in the field could not be found. As the pipe already had a split in the middle of the ditch which it crossed, the decision was made to remove a section to allow water from the field to drain into the ditch, and the other side which was now free of silt could drain water away down the bank into the brook. The ditch behind the old willow tree was also cleared out but the roots from the tree appear to be aiding water to seep along them though the bank onto the path, and roots growing into the ditch prevent digging deeper below the seepage line. One to have a think about! The full section of drainage on the path down to Clough Lane was checked and all drains and gullies cleared, removing branches which were hanging down and creating blockages. A special thanks to Ben who was not able to join us but sent some delicious homemade cake, most welcome after a satisfying mornings work, and no doubt Ben will be challenging Mandy for the FoPV catering crown! Volunteers join us on work mornings when they are available, but it was a bit of surprise to see Mel out as she was celebrating one of those "special" birthdays for which a round of "Happy Birthday" echoed around the valley at the end of the morning's work - absolute dedication for the cause and certainly one birthday to remember! Just one casualty this time - somebody must have eaten too many Weetabixs for breakfast and managed to snap a spade in two - one for Dave to repair! The next work morning is on Tuesday 28th November 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Ditch diggers in action Rebecca (pink hat) just after her her dive in the mud! Dave enjoying the dig More photos of the ditch diggers Mel enjoying playing in the mud on her birthday! Cutting low branches off the old willow tree to gain access to the ditch The previously unknown plastic drain pipe under the path Splitting and rodding the pipe Philip cutting branches off a tree blocking the ditch Ranger Matt's end of work morning talk (with Simon holding the cut section of pipe) Singing "Happy Birthday" to Mel! Who broke the spade?!

Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to everybody who came along to our latest work morning to help do some tidying up around Forge Dam after Babet had done her worst! John led a group off to plant the remaining 350 bluebell bulbs which have gone into the soft ground near the hibernaculum so hopefully we will have a colourful corner there next spring. Having planted them all, overhanging trees and brambles were cut on the path up to Quiet Lane and also the undergrowth on the crossing area by the road was cut back to give drivers a better line of sight. Near to Quiet Lane a deep puddle which had formed across the path due to a trench being blocked with silt was dug out to allow the water to drain away. Hilary's group headed off to the goit to remove all the debris in it and clear out at the grill where everything accumulates and backs up. Their next port of call was Wire Mill Dam before heading down to the river to remove some of the larger branches. A third group headed down to the stepping stones at Chair Bridge where a large hazel tree, complete with its root ball full of stones and soil had wedged itself under the bridge which crosses over to the bridle path. Finally, after a lot of cutting and tugging it was completely removed. Overhanging branches on Chair Bridge itself were cut back. On the bridle path on the other side of Chair Bridge a large pipe had become blocked with debris and was cleared. On the walk down earlier in the morning the group had noticed a large branch which had become lodged against the concrete bridge and was next on the list to be removed. Overhanging branches on the path were cut and blocked drains rodded and cleared on the walk back up........however, arriving at the bridge the branch had mysteriously disappeared! A bit of a puzzle as we hadn't seen anybody else around and there was no way it could have dislodged itself. Arriving back at Forge Dam for a coffee and Mandy's delicious home-made rice krispie cakes, those who were still hanging around could not shed any light on the disappearing branch. Who had done it? Had we imagined it! The puzzle was finally resolved later that day on an email from Hilary, complete with a picture! The next work morning is on Thursday 9th November 2023 where we will be up at Porter Clough. There has been a tremendous amount of damage to footpaths and infrastructure due to the recent storm, all of which needs repairing. An email will be sent out nearer the time to confirm details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Linda and John bluebell bulb planting Fishing in the the goit... ...Chris has caught a whopper! Large hazel tree wedged under the bridge near the stepping stones... ...and the the other end sticking out the other side of the bridge! Clearing the tree Tony, Paul and Peter dragging the root ball out... ...and finally removed Drainage pipe on the other side of the road cleared Cutting back overhanging branches on Chair Bridge Hilary's group removing the large branch on the concrete bridge

Hello Conservation Volunteers A big thank you to everybody who came to help on our latest volunteer work morning in Bingham Park to continue our restoration of the worn out verge areas. We started back at the end of May with a special work morning to rejuvenate some of these areas with digging and then sowing of wildflower and grass seeds, and some further planting of plug plants, including bluebells, had been done on a special Saturday work morning at the end of September, but we were back again for more of the same and do some tidying up. Andy Phillips and a team from Parks and Countryside joined us to bring a few lorry loads of top soil, wooden posts, hessian rope, and tools including a post rammer. By the time we all arrived they had already ripped up the plastic matting behind the coffee cart, one of the areas we were to tackle. With mechanical rotovating ruled out and no option but to dig the compacted soil by hand to loosen it in readiness for topsoil and planting, the majority of the group went to their task of forking and digging in the stretch behind the coffee cart. Meanwhile the fencing crew started to measure out the area opposite the coffee cart to replace the temporary fencing with a wooden post and rope fence. Once laid out in position the posts could be knocked in ensuring the posts were plumb using a post spirit level. Hidden concrete in some areas meant the posts could not be as close to the path edge as desired. Two holes per post were drilled in to take the rope strings. As the morning progressed wildflower and grass seed was spread on the newly dug areas along with some plug plants and the fencing crew moved onto fencing the area behind the coffee cart. Some temporary fencing where we are not intending to install permanent fencing has also been installed to protect the newly planted areas until it is established. Dave's battery finally ran out on the second stretch of fencing behind the coffee cart but fortunately he had a spare (that's his drill battery!). At the end of the morning the intended programme of work had been completed with two areas of new rope fencing and the bare areas reseeded and we now look forward to seeing how it all looks next year. A good morning's work all round! See below how the areas looked back in March 2023 before any work took place and also in May 2023 after the first phase of digging and sowing. The next work morning is on Tuesday 24th October 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Preparing the ground John doing a soft shoe shuffle in prepration for sowing seed! ...and after a light rake over, sowing seed Tearing down the temporary fence and readying for the new posts Mike, Dave and Tony starting to knock the first post in Getting posts ready on the second area Roping up How it looked in March 2023... ...in May 2023... ...and now with the new fencing and greening up of the first area

Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to all who ventured out on a miserable and drizzly morning for our latest work morning at Shepherd Wheel, and a special warm welcome to our latest volunteer, Rebecca, who hails from the USA and had only moved to Sheffield 3 days before! The weather didn't stop our plans however to remove the vegetation along the path up from Shepherd Wheel and alongside the dam, as well as on the raised shelf in the dam. Vegetation at the side of the paths has been cut back about half a metre and the overhanging branches trimmed. The area around each of the benches was substantially cleared to allow people to have their picnics without the nettles and brambles becoming an unwanted addition to their sandwiches! The plants on the dam shelf had grown to head height in places this year, and with the volunteers strategically spread out to clear their own patch the shelf vegetation soon disappeared. Michaelmas daisies which are in flower and some other plants have been left in places for the wildlife. Whenever there is a task for volunteers to get into the water they don't need asking twice and the usual water crew were up at the far end of the dam in a flash to remove the barley bales which are put in by Jack, twice a year when the clocks change. (There is evidence the barley straw inhibits the growth of algae, it doesn't kill it). The sun eventually came out and at the end of the day we were treated to a flypast from one of our resident kingfishers who hopefully appreciated our efforts! On the way home, an impromptu cutting of the bushes on the path down from the tennis courts to the bowling green which were blocking the path were given a good cut back which competed a good morning's work. The next work morning is on Thursday 12th October 2023 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 to confirm. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Some photos before clearing Preparing to start work Cutting underway Chris practicing being a kingfisher about to dive! After cutting Mandy with her homemade honey, oat and raisin cookies - vey nice, and Rebecca! Bush blocking footpath in Bingham Park - before ..and after

Hello Conservation Volunteers What a great turn out we had for our latest work morning! A massive thank you to everybody who came along to help with a varied programme of work around Forge Dam. One of the tasks was to remove a cherry laurel tree which was growing profusely and had taken over at the bottom of the spillway. No sooner had the group been briefed they were in action with bowsaws and loppers and dragging the remains back across the river for storage behind the shed for (hopefully!) Ranger Matt to take away at some point. Having razed the laurel to the ground the laurel hedge on the driveway approach to the cafe had a good haircut to neaten it up. On the path down from Whiteley Lane to the cafe another group was tackling the nettles and brambles which were encroaching onto the path. These have been cut back and the path edges trimmed to remove encroaching grass. Ann was also out strimming back on the rising path by the playground. At the top end of the dam a group extracted some of the hardcore used by contractors for the first Irish bridge which was washed away in the autumn storms of 2022. This is to be reused to repair the drainage along the path on the west end. There is still more to be extracted another time when river levels are lower, but trying to gather up the hardcore in a river at welly top height is not as easy it may sound! The team did a great job removing such a large amount to wheelbarrow away ready for recycling. The training wall near the bridge had also suffered some damage during recent storms. John cut down an alder sapling to use as posts to knock in and support one small section. The hessian covering which had dropped down has been pulled back and secured with galvanised staples. One of the frustrating issues on the west side is the muddy water running over the newly laid tarmac path. We've had a couple of attempts to fix and investigate the pipe where it drains into the dam but not been able to clear it. Before winter arrives we are planning to dig out the channel and install a perforated pipe using the recovered hardcore and fix it for good, so whilst working in that area we had another attempt to find and clear the other end of the drainage pipe. After a lot of digging, we eventually uncovered the original drainage sump, but the plumbing rods were unable to break through to it, being about 6 inches of blockage, and although we knew where the pipe should be we couldn't actually see it. Peter disappeared and returned with a long, thick branch cut earlier by the laurel cutting crew, and using it as a battering ram finally broke through the hardcore and soil to the sump! That wasn't the end of matters though. The large plastic pipe going into the dam had a smaller diameter plastic pipe inside it and this was bent round effectively blocking the drainage to the dam. A bit more tugging, huffing and puffing and that came out to allow water to finally drain away! We will be back to reinstall an inner pipe at a later session and in the meantime monitor it to see whether we still need to install a perforated pipe in the drainage channel. Those pesky wasps were out tormenting again. One of our volunteers unfortunately suffered a wasp sting in a rather nasty place at the top of her leg through her trousers......we think the wasp was probably after the Lincolnshire plum cake in her backpack and had lost its way! The next work morning is on Tuesday 26th September 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Laurel Cutting Crew in action Ben on dry land moving the brash Stephen cutting the laurel hedge Laurel brash awaiting Ranger Matt to remove Simon trimming the path by the dam Removing hardcore Simon trying to find the end of the drainage pipe Peter with his battering ram! Trying to get the damaged inner pipe out Tidying up Hardcore removed and drain sump covered over with a large stone Damaged training wall before John clambering out after doing some repairs Training wall repaired Volunteers having a well earned coffee at the end of the morning A nasty looking wasp sting but fortunately the wasp didn't get the Lincolnshire plum cake!

Hello Conservation Volunteers Thank you to everyone who turned out for our latest work morning around Forge Dam. One of our volunteers, Linda, had informed us the path up from the old Health Authority which she runs up every day was overgrown and needed cutting back, so not to hinder Linda's daily run we duly assembled a task group, and armed with appropriate tools to clear the path, Linda and her colleagues trudged off to clear it. As can be seen from the photos it looks much better with more light getting through to the now clear path. We hope Linda can now improve on her PB during her daily run! The main task of the morning was to clear two trees which had fallen into the river below armchair bridge. With the river back to a normal flow the team were able to get into the water and cut up the trees and remove them to the bankside. Rhododendron growing on the bank was also cut down. Some of the brash was stacked together to create a wild life habitat for insects and other small animals that may wish to take refuge in it as the summer comes to an end and winter draws in. On their way back to Forge Dam the group checked in on Wiremill Dam to ensure it was free of debris and then moved on to the grill on the goit which had become clogged up with fallen branches and sticks and cleared it. The next work morning is on Thursday 14th September 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Path up to the old Health Authority before clearing Path after clearing Trees in the river before clearing Cutting up and removing the trees Stacking brash for a wild life habitat After removing the trees Clearing the grill on the goit

Hello Conservation Volunteers Well, after four sessions clearing Himalayan balsam that was the final one for this year where we had groups out in the Wet Woodland and also around Forge Dam looking for it. A big thank you to all those who took part in the session. The river was not in spate this time so we could cross at the normal point into the Wet Woodland and straight away found some balsam which not being in flower last time had been missed. Towards the back of the Wet Woodland the volunteers were delving further into the jungle like conditions. Amongst the fallen trees, brambles, bushes, and deep mud the balsam was flourishing being protected by their impenetrable surroundings. Cutting through the undergrowth led to some of the taller specimens with large roots, having grown unchallenged for a few years - now removed. One final large area was cleared before calling time for this year. It can be a little disorienting in the dense undergrowth, particularly when having to clamber over fallen trees and avoiding deep muddy bogs, and trying to find our way back to the crossing point proved a challenge. Following the "breadcrumbs" of previously pulled plants strung over tree branches led us back to the river but lower down than anticipated, however, eventually everybody was back on terra firma on the other side of the river and ready for coffee and cake! The second group cleared balsam found near the bridge below the cafe and also removed a pile of floating wood which was threatening the head goit to Wiremill Dam. With the water levels lower they were able to get onto the island where there was plenty of balsam, having gone unchecked these last couple of years. All they could find has been removed. Monkey flower (mimulus) was found to be flourishing on the island, a plant which is native to the UK but not common here and obviously liking the marshy island. Behind the cafe on the cobbled path, Dave and the painting crew finished off painting the railings. Down at Shepherd Wheel, Ann and a couple of volunteers cleared some weeds and tidied up in the courtyard, removing dead brambles which were hiding the plaque and the sycamore seedlings which were growing everywhere. One final thank you to Mandy who provided the cake! The next work morning is on Tuesday 22nd August 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Chris N in the undergrowth surrounded by bushes and balsam in the Wet Woodland! More like a jungle than a Wet Woodland! Peter with an armful of balsam near the car park Peter and Chris H on the island Monkey Flower (mimulus) found on the island

Hello Conservation Volunteers A big thank you to all who came to our recent work morning, and a very warm welcome to the 7 volunteers from the Environment Agency who came to help, we hope to see you and your other colleagues again in future. It was a bit of Groundhog Day with Himalayan balsam pulling and painting railings again on the agenda! This was our third venture this summer into the Wet Woodland to pull as much balsam as we can before they go to seed and spread, not just in the Wet Woodland but washed away down the river to cultivate on the riverbanks further downstream. With the Porter in full spate after the recent heavy rain (Forge Dam was full, with water flowing over the spillway) we couldn't cross the river as usual but had to go in via the boggy area at the back - quite a challenge through the tangle of trees and bushes and deep mud. There's (unfortunately) plenty of balsam to go at in there, the more you look the more you see. It does give volunteers the opportunity to have a good natter with each other as they go about their task of pulling the balsam out and draping it over the trees! This time we had taken loppers in with us to cut through to get to the hard-to-reach areas where the balsam was well protected by brambles and bushes. Simon did an estimate of the number of balsam plants pulled out. Based on pulling 80 in 5 minutes per person, for the morning session that worked out about 20,000 plants pulled out by the volunteers. Using a conservative estimate of 10 seeds per plants that means roughly 200,000 seeds won't be spreading into the Wet Woodland in just that one session! Unfortunately, two of the Environment Agency volunteers received wasp things. The wasps were protecting a large swathe of balsam and didn't take kindly to being disturbed. Planting a cane in nearby to mark the spot so we could avoid it probably wasn't the best idea in hindsight as it provoked the wasps to all come out! At least we have the what3words of the wasp nest for the next time we go in to avoid it https://w3w.co/giving.summer.towers As if to prove the point about the balsam seeds washing down the river and cultivating on the bankside, whilst relaxing with a cup of coffee at the end of the morning we noticed a clump of balsam happily growing in full flower on the opposite bank near the cafe, so these have also been eradicated. Elsewhere, Dave and his painting crew completed the undercoating of the railings and have put a topcoat on half of it. (I did see a small boy on being told not to touch the wet paint by his mother do exactly that and put his hand on the gloss paint much to the displeasure of his mother!) Peter, Ben, and Katharine meanwhile loaded most the brash behind the store into Ranger Matt's van to be taken away for green recycling which has tidied up that area. They only stopped when Matt's van was full and they had also encountered a wasps nest in the brash! Peter and Ben then went to cut up the tree which had fallen down into the river a little way downstream and moved another to the side of the river. Footnote: On our previous work morning 13th July we were joined by Nicola and Julia on their annual volunteer day from IQVIA, based in Reading. A few of them live locally and have been volunteering with us this last couple of years. Hopefully some of their other colleagues who couldn't make this particular work morning will be joining us on a later session. The next work morning is on Thursday 10th August 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning The Environment Agency volunteers Gathering balsam Balsam hung up to dry and die in the trees Simon by a large pile wedged in a tree Chris with a pile of balsam Behind the store looking a little tidier after the brash has been removed Tree in the river partly cut up Tree removed from the river Pictures from 13th July with Nicola and Julia from IQVIA Julia with some balsam Crossing the river Julia

Hello Conservation Volunteers Once again, a big thank you to all those who turned up for our latest work morning, for which the main task was the annual Himalayan balsam pulling (again!) in the Wet Woodland. Our chief balsam scout, John G, had been out a few days earlier to do a reccy on where these dastardly invaders were growing and to form a plan of attack for when the ground troops arrived on the Thursday morning, armed with wellies, sticks and midge repellent! The method is to try and pull up each balsam plant intact with its roots so it can't grow again, the knack being a gentle pull as low as possible, a tug particularly near the top of the plant usually results in the stem breaking off. Failing that, taking off the flowering part will at least stop it spreading its seeds this season. Once pulled out the plants are draped over tree branches well off the ground so they will dry out and die. We weren't counting, but a few thousand plants must have been pulled out during the morning. We came across some large enswathes of balsam towards the back of the woodland which was very boggy, and the wellies were sinking over ankle depth into the mud! There is still a lot left to pull with some in the middle of a tangle of bushes which we will need to return with loppers to enable us to reach the balsam. For those who may be interested to see on a map, these are some of the areas we will need to return next time:- what3words.com/oval.backs.author what3words.com/earth.bolts.edges https://what3words.com/empire.slimy.person https://what3words.com/curiosity.bubble.comic Maybe it was the jungle strength formula repellent but there didn't appear to be any insects trying to get a bite, although we did have one unfortunate volunteer get a wasp sting on the back of her hand, fortunately she had no allergic reaction, and it didn't stop her enjoying a coffee at the end of a hard morning's work pulling up the balsam. Some of the group had first ventured up towards the waterfall looking for any balsam but only found one to pull out on that stretch. A slight concern there was one so we will have to keep an eye out up there for more. Elsewhere, Dave, Peter and Stuart continued work on the railings up the cobbled path and have now completed the task all DIYers hate i.e. preparation, scraping off the old paint and rust, and preparing the surface for painting. All the railing has now had a coat of red oxide primer and half has had a coat of white undercoat, so it shouldn't take much longer to complete the undercoating and put the topcoat on. It looks so much better already with the white undercoat. Ann did some gardening and a bit strimming to tidy up the flowerbeds around the store. The next work morning is on Tuesday 25th July 2023. An email will be sent out nearer the time with details. Lyndon A Selection of photos from the work morning Julia with one balsam plant out by its root.........that won't be growing anymore! Chris surrounded by some tall balsam Pulled balsam draped over tree branches to dry out Hanging up balsam Railing with completed primer and partly undercoated

Come and say hello to our first (albeit small) improvement at Forge Dam Playground! Here is a photo of the Communications Board before installation! No sooner installed early on Friday morning than we saw Mossbrook special school and a class from Nether Green come in …… praise and interest from teachers and youngsters alike! Clearly worth doing. The Council playgrounds team have really pulled out the stops for us. Friends of the Porter Valley will fund this new item in this rather tired, but much loved playground. We have been consulting and thinking about what ideally the playground needs, but are still some way from developing a rejuvenation plan. I’m grateful to members of the Fulwood WI, respondents to last year’s consultation, the Cafe team and many many others who have shown interest and offered suggestions. This playground dates from a time when little thought was given to making things more accessible to children ….. and for that matter, their parents and grandparents……. with particular needs. This Communication Board, like the ones now often in schools, should be popular and useful for children who need help with communication. I had hoped we could make a bigger impact with more improvements but for these we need to raise more money! Clearly the ground surface, and more equipment are needed to respond to demand. PLEASE DONATE! See the QR codes dotted around the site and visit the Fopv website for the easy donation button. Ann le Sage