MCC Branch Work Parties 2021
Annual Review in Pictures
Christmas 2021
January
Green Lane Farm Section
Despite the snow, hedge laying was carried out and the first tentative work on a bridge across the Pudding Brook was started.
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Hedge laying in the snow! |
The start of a bridge across Pudding Brook |
February
Green Lane Farm Section
Work started on clearing the off side bank past Green Lane Farm Cottage, to create a footpath and allow access to the towpath.
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Clearing vegetation to create a path |
The bank wasn’t particularly level in places! |
March
Pewsham
Vegetation was cleared to the East of Upper Pound, with a temporary Heras fence installed. Work also started on the removal of a very large tree stump close to Bottom Lock.
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Installing a temporary Heras Fence |
The large tree stump put up a fight. It didn’t want to move! |
Green Lane Farm Section
A bund was created across the canal to link the temporary footpath on the off side to the main towpath. Numerous fast growing willows were removed from the canal.
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Ray & Digger creating a bund across the canal |
Tirfing skills came to the fore to remove the many trees |
April
Pewsham
Work began in earnest on rebuilding the walls of the Dry Dock. The large tree stump was finally removed! Bottom Lock was drained and we began to remove years of accumulated silt. Work began on re-casting the sluice walls.
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The eastern wall of the Dry Dock |
Tree stump removed!. The triumphant team! |
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Bill clearing silt whilst Ray looks on! |
The newly cast sluice walls |
Green Lane Farm Section
Willows finally removed and temporary bark path past farm cottage started. Hedge tidying also took place.
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Section cleared of willows. Look, the canal still holds water! |
Using barge boards to create an edge for the path |
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Aga tidying up the hedge |
Laying the bark covered path |
May
Pewsham
Work on the West wall of the Dry Dock began. The leak by Double Bridge was located and fixed by trenching and back-filling with clay. Re-casting of the sluice at Bottom Lock was completed. Re-profiling od the West bank to the side of Bottom Lock was carried out and access steps were installed.
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Laying the concrete foundation for west wall of Dry Dock |
Digging out a trench in order to line with clay. |
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The completed re-cast walls of the sluice |
Re-profiling the west side bank of Bottom Lock |
June
Pewsham
General maintenance, grass cutting and track repairs. Silt from Bottom Lock removed.
Grass cutting at The Meadow Improving the surface of The Green Track
Removing the silt. Brian's not afraid to get dirty! A view (N to S) of Bottom Lock
July
Pewsham
Dry Dock walls continue to rise! Surveys carried out on walls of Bottom Lock.
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The Dry Dock wall continues to rise. The summer heat didn’t stop us! |
Surveying the walls of Bottom Lock |
Green Lane Farm Section
Grass cutting of towpath and section opened to the General Public.
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John battling through the grass on the towpath |
And what a difference he made! |
Pudding Brook Section
Clearance started. The initial temporary bridge was rebuilt with the help of corporate volunteers.
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The view of the Pudding Brook Section. Daunting! |
But once started we made good progress. |
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The initial temporary bridge |
Jeremy (L) with Corporate volunteers |
August
Seven Locks
A change of scenery! A day out to clear and maintain the towpath.
Pewsham
Storage container from Seven Locks relocated to Pewsham. Brick work on Dry Dock progressing well. It actually looks like a Dry Dock for the first time in many decades!
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John using the All Terrain mower to good effect at 7 Locks |
Craning the storage cabin into place |
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Ray extending the concrete foundations |
The Dry Dock takes shape! |
September
Pewsham
It's autumn and therefore reed pulling time! Work on Dry Dock continues!
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Clearing the reeds at The Meadow |
Basil(L) and Roger working on the Dry Dock |
Green Lane Farm Section
Tidying up hedgerow and general maintenance continues.
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Fiona tidying and replanting the hedge |
Ready for action! Another good weekend turnout! |
October
Pewsham:
At the end of the month, with reed pulling complete, cutting back of the off side began. A welfare cabin was purchased and installed.
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Tidying of the off side bank begins |
The newly purchased Welfare Unit |
Pudding Brook Section
Hedge line created. Towpath clearance continued at a pace, including the occasional removal of larger fallen trees.
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Howard Yardy instructs in the art of Dedging |
A fallen tree across the towpath. Dave & Mark soon cleared this! |
November
Pewsham
Clearance of off side bank completed.
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Barry(L) and Gary continue to clear the off side bank |
Completed. The full width of the canal can be seen. |
December
Pewsham
Clearance to allow access to the Wing Walls on the East side of Bottom Lock. New fence installed to the East of the Upper Pound, with hedge whips.
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Clearing the vegetation |
Fence posts in place, rails to follow. Hedge whips planted – hardly visible but will soon grow! |
Throughout the year
Maintenance of all equipment. With many thanks to Bill for all his hard work.
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Bill with a few of the myriad of tools he maintains |
Additional Work - not shown in pictures
Throughout the year:
Brick cleaning - a never ending, and at times, thankless task, but still very necessary! Special thanks to Brian for the many hundreds of bricks he cleaned this year.
Tree felling and logging.
May to October (as required):
Cutting of grass in the children's play area by Top Lock and the surrounding areas, plus general maintenance.
Grass cutting in pounds between Top Lock and Bottom Lock.
Grass cutting in the Meadow and around Double Bridge.
Tidying of hedges and canal banks.
Howard Wilson
Branch Webpages & Digital Comms Officer
December 2021