Our second workday (task) since the end of lockdown 3 and a welcome return to this lovely site north of Lincoln that is managed by Nettleham Woodland Trust (NWT). Every time we visit there are changes and improvements, and it is hard to believe that not many years ago it was just open fields. Now, in addition to ponds and a lake there are areas of young woodland, meadows, rides, benches, a sculpture … and funds have just been raised to build a new habitat, a wildlife tower.
Thirteen of us joined NWT volunteers on a day that was sunnier (apart from a short shower of rain) and warmer than we expected. We were pleased to welcome two new volunteers to the group.
As always, there was a variety of jobs, so we were well spread out on this large site, and Lorna (my co-leader) and I certainly did our 10,000 steps as we walked around, checking on progress, as well as fitting in some work ourselves.
As always, there was a variety of jobs, so we were well spread out on this large site, and Lorna (my co-leader) and I certainly did our 10,000 steps as we walked around, checking on progress, as well as fitting in some work ourselves.
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Some of the drainage ditches across the rides had become overgrown so mattocks and spades were wielded to good effect to dig them out. The pipes under the rides were blocked with grass and mud in places, so they was cleared too. Heavy work but very necessary to make sure the rides don’t get waterlogged when it’s wet.
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A small team armed with brushes and oil treated the benches and picnic tables, to protect the wood against the effects of the weather. The very lifelike deer sculpture, known as Rodney, was also given a coat of oil, to keep him in splendid condition. I wonder how many people have visited the reserve and gone home convinced that they have spotted a deer in the undergrowth … and maybe they have, as live deer do visit the site too.
Woodchip on paths inevitably packs down with use over time so some of our willing volunteers helped to ferry barrowloads of woodchip to top up a path in part of the reserve across the lane from the main Monks Wood site. |
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And finally, some construction work … a bike rack is being installed just inside the main entrance to Monks Wood. This is a welcome addition to the facilities at the site. Under the guidance of Rod Newborough from NWT, Julian and Nick worked hard all day to prepare the concrete bases into which the two ends of rack will be bolted. Fingers crossed the covers they put over the new concrete protected it from the heavy rain we had the next day. **Update! Rod has successfully installed the 'toast rack', as shown below in the photo from Chris Williams of NWT.**
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A great sense of satisfaction at the end of the day when we had achieved everything on our ‘jobs’ list. Thanks to everyone who joined us for this task, and to Lorna for great co-leading.
Jude
Jude
A couple more pictures from Chris at NWT: 'You’d hardly recognise the beautiful bike rack after seven weeks of rain, gloom and sun have restored the grass. Great job, LCG.'
Hopefully the cyclists can still find it!
Hopefully the cyclists can still find it!
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