Southrepps Commons Trust

 

                                 

 

Volunteers Bulletin March 7th 2010

Hello All
What a glorious morning on which to complete this season's cutting programme; and one to recall in October when we start again! Thank you very much for all your effort throughout the season, especially during some atrocious conditions. I realised that some were flagging a bit during that last half hour today but I think the end result was worth it.

We will still run the next working party, Saturday 20th March at 9:00 a.m. and use it for a number of outstanding jobs such as underpinning sections of Jubilee Boardwalk which are subsiding, scrub clearance, reinstating the seat behind The Pit etc; all lighter and possibly more interesting work. I hope we can enter spring with the whole Common looking better than ever before and somewhere of which to be really proud.

Thank you again.

Regards from John

 

Volunteers Bulletin February 20th 2010

Hello All
See the customary plaudits or a job well done raining down upon this morning's deserving, determined and devoted helpers; thank you all. Despite the vicissitudes of an unrelenting winter we are now well in control and can imagine that our cutting programme for this season is achievable. And for once, this morning, the sun shone, the bird sang, and the biscuits were chocolate.

The next working party is Sunday 7th March meeting at 9.30 a.m. All that is left to do is to finish the central part. Two weeks ago we went as far as conditions allowed before moving across the boardwalk to where it was a bit dryer underfoot. But we must return to the middle and finish it regardless next time. I hope you can make it a date.

Regards from John

 

Volunteers Bulletin February 7th 2010

Hello All

A very big thank you to all who helped this morning, Sunday. I hope the regularity of my thank-yous doesn't belittle the sentiment in any way because what you all achieved today was fantastic. And all the more credit to everyone for coming out in such truly dreary weather. Of course, we would have done twice as much if John D. had bothered to get up, but for those who are concerned, I'm told he is getting over his attack of the vapours and should be fit by next time.

Next time is Saturday 20th, meeting at 9.00 a.m. where we left off this morning. On that day the Scouts are due to start building the new boardwalk connecting with Cross Roads Pond. We must make sure sufficient materials are on site for them so it may be that I have to ask for help carrying some timber round from John and Margaret's house. Perhaps you could let me know if you can be available on Friday 19th for a short while.

Regards from John

 

Volunteers Bulletin - January 23rd 2010

Hello All

A big thank you to all who turned out to help this morning. After getting up to a dark, cold, uninviting morning, working among friends and achieving so much properly dispelled the gloom. This was a great turn-out and for the first time we almost ran out of tools. We completed Area A so can be optimistic about meeting our commitment for this season. Next time, Sunday 7th February, we will start on the central area on the other side of The Beck. Much of this is easier work and is the showpiece of The Common which always looks so brilliant in spring. That's when you can bring friends along and show off the fruits of your labour.

Finally, whilst the House Privileges Committee instructs that bacon sarnies constitute an unwarranted drain on the public purse, nevertheless, I have managed to get agreement for a focus group to report on the feasibility of providing hot refreshments in lieu of the traditional orange juice. Hopefully the report will be on my table before the election.

Regards from John

Volunteers Bulletin - January 10th 2010

Hello All

A very big thankyou to all who braved daunting conditions this morning, Sunday. As expected, we were unable to resume the cutting programme, which slips ever further behind schedule. But valuable work was done in removing ivy from around the base of trees in Lower Street, necessary in order to inspect these ancient trees for safety. Welcome hot refreshments were provided by Margaret so if we find that part of Lower Street starts to get more than its fair share of maintenance in future you'll know why.

The next working party date is Saturday 23rd January, when surely things will have warmed up a bit. Please do try and come along as we have a lot of ground to make up and we can only achieve it with enough people helping.

I will repeat once more my plea for an industrial sewing machine and willing operator to sew webbing handles to our tarpaulins.

Regards from John

 

Volunteers Bulletin - January 6th 2010

Hello All

This is a note about the working party scheduled for Sunday 10th January. It seems increasingly likely that the weather will prevent us resuming as planned. Clearly, we cannot cut through snow or if the ground is still frozen. However, undaunted, there is work we can usefully do, so it has been decided to attack ivy on trees where needed on safety grounds. Back in November we sent John and David on a tree safety course because we became increasingly anxious about the risk of accidents since the awful one at Felbrigg when a child was killed. Since the course the intrepid pair have been systematically surveying our arboreal stock. Consequently, if you are inescapably programmed to come out on Sunday morning, please bring a saw and meet at the car park where we shall act under expert instructions. Despite my flippant tone, this is an important job and an example of one of those extras which continue unnoticed throughout the year.

In closing, may I remind everyone that we are now at risk of slipping badly behind with the cutting programme so a good turn-out on working parties when we do resume is more important than ever. Please click - here - for the published dates of working parties which are also displayed at the Information Point.

Regards from John

 

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