GWSR Lineside

 Lineside Clearance Since the beginning of January the Saturday team has moved to their major winter clearance site – the embankment above Townsend Farm, Gretton. This area had not been cleared recently, if ever. The dense hawthorn saplings were hard work on the steep slope. After clearing around it, a mature oak made a splendid sight. Despite the difficult site, everyone has been really keen, with a record 12 volunteers one Saturday. The team made gradual progress from the bridge towards the farm buildings. Before going too far, they checked with the farm what level of cover should be left near the buildings. Some days the team cleared about 40 metres of the embankment, which may not sound much but was a tremendous achievement with such dense tree growth. After heavy rain the embankment became extremely slippery and unsafe, necessitating an early finish. But on the occasional glorious winter days the team just carried on till everyone was thoroughly exhausted. There was always qui...

  Five of us today and excellent progress made in glorious spring weather. We have now completed the clearance of the whole length from Didbrook up to Toddington Signal Box, and made considerable inroads into dealing with the arisings. As we have now done all the cutting we can continue next week raking up and burning the rest of the stuff we have cut, which is now mostly just grass and brambles. Nick Wright

What another stupendous effort by the team as they reached the 2nd cross drain  of the section.  We could see our contractor, Clarkes, working away on the Malvern side and we are now just over the half way stage of the section and can clearly see the end.  How much more of this site we will be allowed to clear is very much dependent on the support we are given by the  board and senior  management who, as of today, have not visited the team at the coal face We have been visited by the relevant HODs but otherwise that is all.  Now we face the crucial bird nesting time and unless we get a clear mandate for future tasks work will cease until October.  This is a great pity as we have an experienced team who are aware of the need not to disturb any wildlife but it will be difficult to hold onto them unless a useful program of work can be  formed.  The next few weeks will be crucial in the life of lineside clearance so let us have a good attendance ...

Just four of us today braving the artic wind blowing off the Cotswolds, but still got plenty done.  At least it didn't rain (or snow)! The brushcutters have now got opposite Toddington sidings at the point where the ditch flows under the track at Culvert 14A and the clearing up has reached the filled in bridge next to the first power pole, so good progress but with only two more working weeks to finish off we will spend these making sure what we have already cut is burnt. Nice to have a few trains to wave at. Nick Wright

 Yep, Valentines Day! We had a team of 9 today including Nick and Rachel Simmonds who came along for a taster session (glad to have you) and they spent the day with us fitting in well .  We continued along the bank clearing about 60 metres of growth. This was chipped along  with last weeks debris . It was a glorious day and we continued to just gone 3pm by which time  everyone was thoroughly exhausted so we called it a day .The team are slowly clearing the area and there is still much to do but already the embankment is beginning to  shown green  grass coming through .   Well done team Brummie Dave Nice day in the sunshine  Top of the bank shot Wood chips spread out to make a safe track out for the Ranger

Seven of us today working between Didbrook and Toddington, burning up a lot of the previous cut stuff and cutting more. Really good progress made today and all this despite the dire weather forecasts predicting 70 to 90 % chance of rain, of which we only had a tiny bit just after lunch when we spotted a rainbow over the Station, but no sign of the pot of gold!  Well done everyone. Nick Wright