GWSR Lineside

We had a visit today from Paul Fuller who brought along the diversity manager to introduce him to the team There have  been many fears  and concerns about how this would affect lineside.  My apologies as his name escapes  me but will this introduction affect us?  The answer is yes in a potentially positive way. He has a practical knowledge and experience of systems and environmental  issues through his employment in DEFRA and will be able to bring together the way we work on lineside.  There are grants available for tools, equipment and other issues which he would help the railway access.  He has already helped bring  a clarity to the bird nesting season and that will be added to as time progresses. We have the month of March to continue  the clearance of Mrs Townsends embankment, we need to basically document our observations of our visits to clarify what we have seen, but not deliberately disturb any nesting birds and this can start ne...

 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

  Six of us today (including the welcome addition of Robert), working our way alongside the ditch from Didbrook towards Toddington on the Cotswold side, in wonderful springlike weather. We got a moderate amount of the previously cut stuff burned, but did struggle as it has been so wet recently, hopefully this will dry out a bit for next week. We have now cleared up to just past the filled in bridge by the first power pole, which is where we start clearing all the bank rather than leaving the margin of trees on the slope.  So we are now definitely working towards Toddington now rather than working away from Didbrook, and will continue next week.   Nick Wright

I want to start this report  early on Friday with several e-mails going back and forth debating the wisdom of whether the working party should meet or not  in view of the weather forecast  for Saturday.  It was decided that we would meet at about 9.30 and make a decision on how we should progress. A team of ten (Paul, Sally, Andy, Alex. Robert, Graham, Steve, Lawrence, Trina and me) turned up complete with the chipper and two chainsaw operatives who set about clearing the embankment of a number of hawthorn trees. Two operatives started chipping the dross from last week and as the morning progressed with a third member dragging down the cut trees ably assisted by the chainsaw operatives .The remainder of the team started clearing the thinner growth using hand tools at a safe distance from the chipper and power tool operatives. All went well until  about 12.45  when the heavens opened. By this time there was a large amount of cut debris spread about on the gr...