The volunteers, as always, have done a grand job this month, with around twenty people turning up for each session. Amongst other things, we have pruned the laurels on the west side of the tunnel and the forsythia by the bridge, weeded and dead headed the rockeries and the upper lake side edge, and picked up loads of litter, as well as maintaining the new sensory beds.
Boards have been cleaned and graffiti removed from the lights in the tunnel. We have a new piece of glass in place on the main welcome board and now have keys to the boathouse noticeboard. Next projects include cutting back the clump of trees and bushes at the Wellington Road end of the park and clearing saplings from the stream between the two lakes. Outside of the main park, the two little parks in Pittville Crescent received a visit from CBC’s tree expert, Chris Chavasse, to provide advice on cutting back dead wood and removing elm saplings from under the weeping ash, which unfortunately is suffering from ash die-back but does seem to have lots of new growth so fingers crossed!
A big thank you to our partners in CBC and the Green Space team. On the ground, particular thanks to Mark for watering the sensory beds for us and for doing such a great job with the aviaries – it is delightful to watch the children’s enjoyment. Thanks to Colin for replacing the glass and finding the boathouse noticeboard keys, and Josh for his help with all sorts of things. Let’s not forget our artist in residence, Natasha Houseago, who tirelessly answers questions from passers-by while she carves, providing a lovely, immersive experience with her art work. And lastly, thank you to Lucy Wise, Community Ranger, for her untiring help and support.
Please follow our Facebook page, and encourage others to join our merry band of volunteers! We meet on the first and third Thursdays of each month, 9.15 – 11.15, behind the aviaries.
Author: Barbara Leigh