GWSR Lineside

W e ended  our days session with a team consisting of 8 persons working.  They brush cut a strip along then remaining fence line (about 120 metres long by 3 metres wide) between the bottom of the embankment and the adjoining meadow.  Whilst this was being done the next section of the embankment was cut back after the necessary checks were done for nesting birds.  All this was time consuming as each check lasted about half an hour Most of this area consisted of thick blackthorn mixed with brambles and all this had to be disposed of to leave the site tidy. Two fires were needed to get rid of the dross so the team was kept busy.  An additional task that was requested of the team was to move the piles of logs from their position so that our contractors could install new fencing during the coming week.  This late task required the team to divert from the clearance and served as a public relations task towards our neighbouring land holder who has been very tolera...

There were as stated a team of 8 today so we were able to split into two teams of four.  The one group continued with the clearance at Mrs. Townsends whilst the other loaded the vehicle with the heap of wood chippings for use of mulching the relatively new trees that had been planted along the line.  This was an arduous task and had to be loaded via a single wheel barrow at a time . Our thanks to Lawrence who was not only our driver for the day but also our single power tool operator so he was kept very busy by the rest of the team members who went about their tasks with great determination.  A fire was lit to burn the cut material that at times was cut by the use of hand saws.  We have left an amount of cut material on the ground ready for disposal next week so we plan to continue with that. Before work commenced the area was checked for nesting birds of which none were found but we did observe a robin and blackbird on the ground with several swans flyi...

There was a turnout of 6 today and after an initial inspection and observation for any nesting birds we cleared the next section of about 40 metres of embankment   We would have done more but owing to the fact that future access to the site could possibly be denied to the team  we conducted a quick tidy up so that the site was left tidy  The cut material was all burnt and most of the logs were transferred to the bridge so that they could be collected.  The team worked well in the time available  and even though several expressed their unavailability for next week they hoped that we could finish the job. Brummie Dave Final state, clear down past the crab apple on a fantastic spring day A few logs available just past the bridge

  I arrived on site at 8.55am followed by Lawrence  and Dick  and they moved a pile of logs  about 60 metres from our proposed area of work for the day .While they were doing this I did a check to see what birdlife was about . There was a solitary robin pecking about on the ground and a flight of geese overhead  but no signs of any nesting taking place so at approximately  9.30 after the rest of the team arrived we started work  in the designated area. There were 7 of us today and we partially  cleared the area South of the area we cleared last week.  Lawrence dismantled the hawthorn over the culvert while the rest of the team did more clearance a safe distance away.  A fire was lit to initially  burn what was left last week and this was continually added to during the day  The area  was thinned out  to make the bank easier to inspect   and some  material was left on the ground read for disposing of nex...

 Seven of us today on a lovely spring morning, working south of Toddington Signal Box. We have raked up and burnt all our arisings from the clearance of this stretch and so our job here is complete, well done all who have helped.  Three of the team went on the First Aid Course on Tuesday and there was plenty of discussion on the benefits of attending. We had a visit from Andrew Baker (Biodiversity) who outlined his vision for the Railway, based on species rich grassland.  This may take some digesting and persuasion to those who have grown up in the "wildlife corridor" era of lineside clearance, but I'm sure all will become clearer. Also putting in an appearance was the Bubble diesel unit, which went for a trip to Broadway and back, looking very smart. This "season" we have spent about 120 person days on our various tasks along the railway.  I will now take my annual sabbatical break until September, but will still be popping in now and again and keeping abreast ...