GWSR Newsletter February 2026

 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 quite a large amount of cut debris to be disposed of. The chipper was used where access permitted and trained operators were available. Any fires were sited with care, with regard to the wind direction and the closeness of the farm buildings. To date the team has reached the second cross drain of the section and can clearly see the end. They could also see our contractor Clarkes working away on the Malvern side.

The Wednesday team started the year clearing a strip along fence line behind Otters Field estate north of Winchcombe sidings. A while ago part of this fence line closer to station was cleared so that C&M Dept could repair the fence. Now the team has ‘joined the dots’ by clearing the remaining section. They also cleared the northern fence line next to the Winchcombe PWay yard.

The next few weeks were spent at Didbrook, working back from the bridge towards Toddington. The Cotswold-side flat area near the bridge and along the ditch was cleared two years ago but now was thick with blackthorn and bramble again. The brushcutters have reached their goal of Toddington signal box and the clearing up has reached a point opposite the sidings, so good progress despite the weather forecasts of heavy rain.

Each day both teams chipped or burnt all the cut material, as appropriate, including the previous weeks’ cuttings where necessary. For the last few work days in each area they made sure that everything already cut was disposed of.

Having endured the Cotswold arctic winds everyone really enjoyed the occasional sunny winter days, and it was nice to have a few trains to wave at over half term. Nearing bird-nesting season in March, both teams will soon be looking for safe places to work over the spring and summer. And last but not least, we are very pleased to welcome several new members: Simon Redmile, Paul & Sally Batey, and Rachel & Nick Simmonds. They have all made a great start with the group.

Rose Phillips