“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”
Amazing how decades later, Keats and ‘O’ Level (alright, CSE….) English sticks with you. It certainly felt autumnal on Saturday morning for the final get together of the Parish conservation volunteers group, but pleasant nonetheless. The plan was to open up the foliage around the bridge in the Deer Park and to clear the steps constructed last year, just north of the canal by Newlyns Farm.
Just the three fab volunteers this time – long-time stalwarts John and Mike, and new (for us) volunteer, the very lovely Steve de Botte. Actually, this was a perfectly sized team for the task. The bridge job was quickly achieved with a liberal dose of trimmer and saw. We did notice that sadly the bridge has been damaged – probably due to animals crossing it, looking at the evidence – it has been reported, but we’re afraid that we can’t give an estimate for when or if it’ll be repaired. The good news though is it is still passable.
On to the steps – to remind people this is the right of way leading off the track that crosses from the Deer Park, over the A287, towards Lodge Farm. Since the effort to rebuild back in August 2023, the gorse and bramble had grown like adolescent triffids, making the path hard to cross. Step forward John, wielding the trimmer like a master Jedi, and Steve and Mike with saws and loppers. A good hour of solid effort, and the path is beautifully clear again.
As ever, a brilliant effort, and we are in awe of the generosity of spirit of all our volunteers, on Saturday and throughout the year.
As Steve said,
“We’re so lucky to live here, it feels good to give something back as I have been walking these paths myself for years.”
A special shout out to Newlyns Farm Shop cafe by the way, for probably the best bacon sandwich we’ve ever tasted! Yum.
That’s it for 2024 – we will reconvene in the Spring, so keep an eye out, and as ever, if you feel like a bit of fresh air and just making the community better, do think about volunteering!
