In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Bacton Wood Canal Upper. Sunday 22 January, 2012 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN. Tom and Digger would go to Briggate Mill Pond to complete the de-silting of the west end of the pond and Ivan, Darren and I would be there in support. Chris would attend at Bacton as Work Party Leader and the Briggate few would join him there when ready. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. Weather forecast was uncertain for the day but in the event it turned out to be clear, mostly, but with a fresh wind. The arrangements went according to plan at Briggate and whilst Tom was working well on the edge of the water, the other three of us carried out other tidying works such as removing the ivy from the pill box and some of the minor trees brushing up against the box causing damage over the years. By 13.00hrs the work was complete and the site tidied with all fencing replaced. The state of the pill box is not quite as good as was at first thought owing to the damage caused by trees and in-growing ivy roots, which had not been visible on previous occasions. Generally the box is tinder dry inside but has adopted a slightly slanted outlook on life - towards the mill pond! Not a structural problem, though. On the wild-life scene, a pair of mallard ducks were happily swimming around the pond and out onto the canal; one egret, often seen by the residents, made his (or her?) appearance and the great flasher - the kingfisher - showed its' skills in the air over the pond. Oh! And one frog made a dash into the water. So therefore the west end of the mill pond is now completed as far as clearing and earth works are concerned for the time being. The banks are landscaped and the access track alongside the road-wall is completed and taken around the corner towards the pill-box - and of course, levelled. And so to Bacton Canal - Upper. On arrival there after the lunch break, work was coming to a conclusion! And what a lot of work had been carried out too. The growth on the backsoke alongside the canal bank to the north side was terribly difficult to remove, being of a mixed variety including bushes, thorns, blackthorn and reeds. However, removed it was along a stretch of some 40metres and also some debris removed from the backsoke to improve the water flow. Two bonfires had consumed the majority of the brash, both wet and dry, and the site left in a much tidier state than at the start. My thanks to Chris for taking on the post of Work Party Leader there and also to all twelve folk who came along to yet another 'keep fit' party. Your attendance is continuing to make a great difference! My continued thanks, also, to Matt Williams for allowing us the use of the parking facility. NB: CHANGE TO NEXT WORKPARTY. Due to the fact that there is no work for us to carry out by the (quote) 'river' (unquote) at Ebridge, the work party on February 5th will be again at Bacton Wood Canal - Upper. Same parking arrangements as previously! Hopefully on this occasion we should be able to complete the stripping of the relevant backsoke bank.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Bacton Wood Canal Upper Sunday 8th January, 2012. Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN. To remove obstructive growth upstream of the breach from the banks of the canal; continue to burn brash remaining from last visit; to clear the canal of debris to enhance the flow into the land drain; to start clearing the canal side bank of the backsoke. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. The weather for this early January day was to be sunny with cloud after lunch, but drizzle possible in the evening; medium, cool wind. As forecast, it was a glorious day weather-wise! We even had the bonfire smoke blowing away from the work-party! Eleven volunteers turned up and following the usual briefings, we started on the designated tasks. Saplings from both sides of the canal (this part of the canal actually has water in it!) were initially removed together with the usual brambles and some ancient, dead rose growth. When all this was cleared and placed tenderly onto the bonfire, a start was made on the larger tree growing into the bank, near to the access bridge over the breach water. This took a remarkably long time as it did not want to fall over despite a large amount of pulling on ropes! Eventually, of course, it did fall and was rapidly cut up into manageable sized pieces before we broke for lunch break. After lunch, taken in the sunshine on the canal bank (without the water in the canal!) the brash and logs of the tree were removed to clear the path and the smaller parts taken to be burned. The successful, happy day ended on site with a general clear up of some smaller areas of plant growth. There was insufficient time to make a start on the last task of starting to clear the bank of the backsoke - that will wait for the next visit there. The photographs taken during the day will show the amount of general progress made. Our work on these projects always makes it much easier for the, eventual, plant operator to carry out his work, as he usually has a clearer run at his tasks. Thank you to all of our stalwarts - good to see so many back at the beginning of 2012! Our next party will be at the same place on Sunday 22nd January 2012. Look forward to seeing you there? After the end of the work party, over half of the volunteers called in at Ebridge to see the progress, having heard that the water level was now at weir top level.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Briggate. Sunday 11 December, 2011 Pictures after the start of work at Briggate, a day of maintenance of the site. The report from David may be delayed until he has resolved his internet access problems.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Briggate. Sunday 11 December, 2011 Pictures after the start of work at Briggate, a day of maintenance of the site. The report from David may be delayed until he has resolved his internet access problems.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Bacton Wood (upper). Sunday 24 November, 2011 THE PLAN. To continue clearance of the canal bed and banks from the Bacton Road bridge upstream. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. The weather for the day was ideal for that which we wished to achieve - clearing and burning trees, bush and brash - in that the sun shone with a very stiff wind! After the usual briefings, we all set to! Since the last work party here two weeks ago, the canal bed and banks had been 'mown' and looked very tidy. The basic idea was to clear further away from the bridge end of the canal but as this task was completed earlier than expected, we moved up to the site of the breach and carried on there, removing one large tree from the canal bed and one alder from the watered canal bank. With the wind as it was, we managed to set four bonfires and this did effectively clear the whole of the timber and brash as planned. There is now a clear view from the Royston Bridge right through to the flowing canal at a bend near to the Pygneys Wood. A tremendous effort by all sixteen (16) volunteers who attended. I shall not attempt to describe the day further, but show a couple of photos below taken during the afternoon by our resident photo-man, Alan B! P1 P2 The left hand picture was taken from the bridge over the initial breach (1912) looking towards Royston Bridge and the right hand picture taken from Royston Bridge. The public footpath on the left (P1) is now clear for pedestrian use with all the blackthorn and other obstructions removed from the canal side of the bank. Note on P1, Royston Bridge with the canal culvert running through it and Wherry House (formerly the pub) to the right of the bridge. We shall be returning to this area for the work parties on January 8th and 22nd, 2012. I am so, so proud of being a part of such a wonderful Team, which can achieve such results! YOU are getting there to make one of the greatest changes to the landscape in this area for some time - and for the best of reasons! When North Walsham has no more substantial flooding, you can relax and wear your haloes with pride! David Revill, EAWA Work Party Organiser

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Bacton Wood. Sunday 13 November, 2011

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Honing. Sunday 30 October, 2011 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN. Honing Staithe Cut. To check on the access and the walk for any overgrowth and cut grass. Honing Lock. To check on overgrowth on the access, remove fallen tree from across canal; to clear back-soke and to cut grass. some pictures of general maintenance around Honing Staithe Cut, which took up only the first part of the morning. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. Eight of the volunteers met at the Honing Triangles and proceeded to the Cut. The grassed area looked pretty good but nevertheless it was given what is hoped will be the last cut of the year. Several pieces of trees were dragged from the Cut itself and other fallen pieces were removed. As it is a safe time of the year, the edges of the Cut were strimmed. A tour was made of the Walk and any small incursions were cut back and the whole left tidy and usable. Later in the morning we all moved on down to the Lock area, where we promptly set about the removal of a fallen tree, lying across the canal. This was found to be a 'mere' branch which we had noted some weeks ago, but it stretched from bank to bank! Some passing vessel had cut off the far 10 feet at some time and left the heavier piece in situ. Whilst in this region, we took the opportunity to remove several other saplings which would eventually have become 60 foot trees. Other items such as bramble and nettles were cut back and disposed. In the meantime, others had moved on to the back soke, adjacent to the winding hole, leading up to the launching place for canoes near to the access bridge. The back soke had become blocked by plants and silt and these were removed providing room once more for canoes to manoeuvre. Work was started clearing trees from across the backsoke just upstream of the footbridge to the lock, a very congested area. Following the arrival of three other happy volunteers, we partook of a pleasant lunch beside the redundant water measuring cabin. Conscious of the fact that the number of daylight hours are now not quite so many as in previous months, we hurried on to the next task of attempting to clear the growth in the back soke above the little access bridge. As we settled into this task, our Kevin, manfully cutting the grass between the two bridges, set off en route back to his car. Whether he thought that he was on 'Strictly' or on the 'high diving' competition, we could not know. But the display which he put on was truly magnificent! Nearing the land side of the access bridge, he carried out a splendid twirl, skip, little pirouette and jump from the woodwork into the water! All the observers held up ten fingers, confirming that it was a good performance! Back at the work face, the space which had been cleared last year and this had been covered again by foliage - but on this occasion part of it was brought about by two large trees collapsing, on to bushes, across the water. Just a part of the back soke was eventually cleared and the path blocked once more, to prevent any unauthorised access, by leaving the cut off trunk of the second tree across it. There is a lot to do at this point to clear the blockage and help in preventing any flooding further upstream in the event of very heavy rainfalls and this will be carried out next year. After an enjoyable and fruitful day, the last of us left site at 15.45. Our regulars had also been in action at Briggate, too. Thank you to all who attended and to the Briggate Two! The next work party will be at the Bacton Wood area, meeting up at the old pill box near to the former Wherry Pub on Sunday 13th November. Yes! I do know that it is Remembrance Day but be assured that a 2 minutes silence will be observed. We owe it to our fallen pals and to those we did not know. Thank you.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Ebridge. Sunday 16 October, 2011 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN: To assist in clearing the felled trees and bushes; remove any debris consequent from work near to the 'big hole'; endeavour to clear blockage in the westerly paddle chamber and clear up the weir. For those not familiar with this site, the 'big hole' was the result of a collapse of some bricks forming the culvert running under the embankment of the easterly lock chamber wall to below the bottom lock gates and carrying land drain water and water overspill at the weir. WORK ACHIEVEMENT: The weather was forecast to be fair for the whole day and so it turned out to be with glorious sunshine all the time accompanied by a light breeze and medium temperature. A total of 19 (nineteen) volunteers saw the action! The first thing to be done was spread some piles of stripped timber particles into the adjacent hedge to provide winter living quarters for the small creatures. Whilst this was being carried out, Laurie climbed aboard the cherry picker and took out the top of the hawthorn tree, growing adjacent to the 'big hole', so that the telephone cables would be freed from the growth. This done, Jeremy removed the tree with the JCB and cleared the sides of the hole. A 'new' view now presents itself to folk driving to this area from the Honing road junction! During this operation, the fence surrounding the hole was damaged some-what, but this was later replaced to protect the area. Further upstream on the east bank, some five bonfires were started in an effort to clear the area of brash and cut, green growth. We eagerly awaited the arrival of our diving team! The pair, Martin and Sandra, duly came and surveyed the situation and having donned their dry suits prepared to enter the water to clear the paddle chamber. The access ladder was duly tied back in a secure manner; the life ropes deployed and action commenced. Despite their valiant efforts, the action was only partially successful as the blockage remained in place, albeit some water did start to flow through the chamber. Maybe it will clear itself with a larger head of water during the winter? Or maybe by a more determined effort, which has already been offered! Whilst the safety observers stood in the sunshine, we were told that the water (in the shade) was not of the most comfortable temperature. During the day, the old weir was again cleared of growth and brushed clean. The date of the concrete covering, 1941, can once more be clearly seen. 'Our' resident photographer, John, took movie pictures of this action as well as other happenings during the day, for presentation in a full DVD of the complete canal at a later date. Lunch was taken on the sunny lock chamber island and afterwards works on dry land continued until about 16.00 when the last of us departed for home. Several visitors came by and took a great interest in all that we are doing on the canal in general and at Ebridge in particular. A wild life photographer also came along and explained how, since the de-silting of the pond area and opening up of the canal here, he had seen an ever increasing number of both animals and birds availing themselves of the renewed facilities. When the water levels have been restored, controlled and stabilised, we can then look forward to kingfishers and voles being able to live safely in the canal banks again! Wonderful! My thanks again to all who came and worked so hard to make another great improvement to this area. Our next work party will be at Ebridge on Sunday 30th October when we will meet up at the Honing Triangles.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Briggate. Sunday 2 October, 2011 Our next work party will be at Ebridge on Sunday 16 October, 2011.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Honing. Sunday 18 September, 2011 Our next work party will be at Briggate on Sunday 2 October

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Bacton Wood Lock. Sunday 4 September , 2011 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN. To carry on with the cleaning/clearing of the north-eastern chamber wall in preparation for the new bricks to be built in. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. The weather was forecast to be fine for most of the day with the chance of showers later. As it turned out, the sun shone with some cloud but the waterworks held off until after we had left at about 16.00. A total of nine volunteers arrived including two new recruits from Aylsham, David and Beverly, who were made welcome. After the usual H&S brief, we set to clearing out any remaining tree, bush and weed roots which were still present in the mortar. This 'removing roots' was really a cover for 'clearing out the loose and redundant mortar' from between the bricks which were to stay on the chamber wall and providing a key for the new lime mortar! Whatever, the work went on quite steadily and lunch break was called a little early at 12.32! I gave a little briefing as to what the future work parties would encounter on the next few occasions and took my leave at 13.00 to go on the Honing church open day to meet several folk there in connection with the canal. Chris took over from me and said that by the end of the day the whole of the chamber wall had been well cleared out and also air blasted to remove any remaining dust from the joints! There's dedication from Kevin! To complete the task, and also thinking of health and safety, the top of the chamber wall was cleared of any loose earth, bricks and rubble. At the start of the day, it was very pleasing to see that the tail wall on this side had been completed (the whole wall on the south-west side had already been totally finished). On another site completely, Andrea and Brian cut the grass and weeds at Briggate and beside the pond wall. Thanks for that too! Thanks to all who came and took part in this effort - it will surely look a different picture when we return to this area now that John can get to work with his bricks and trowel! The next work party will be on Sunday 18th September at Honing - meet up at the Honing Grass Triangles, please, at 09.30

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Ebridge & upstream canal. Sunday 21 August, 2011 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. As I could not be in attendance on this occasion, Mr Chris Black kindly took over and here is his report:- THE PLAN. To assist the Old Canal Company Ltd in their task of removing the obstructing trees growing in the east bank by clearance of the undergrowth and old brash piles from around the trunks of the trees to enable the safe access and an escape route for their chainsaw operator. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. The weather was warm and sunny with a few drops of rain early on. The usual H&S observance was important because of the nature of the task being performed and I was particularly vigilant at all times concerning the large plant being used and the timber felling. The OCC wanted to start work from the upstream end of the belt of trees on the bank as the idea was to fell the trees either into the canal or across the east soke dyke and pull them back to be stacked on the west bank thus maintaining vehicular access up the west bank. The trees were large and some had broken or split boughs so a safe distance for the work party volunteers was maintained at all times during felling and dragging operations. The open water of the mill pond and beautifully profiled west bank some way north, now reveals the canal as it must have looked following construction in 1825. Access to the east bank site was via temporary bridges from the west as the OCC did not wish to use the footpath on the east bank of the lock. In order to give the work party access to the tree bases a path was strimmed southwards through some very heavy vegetation. The brash which had been stacked under the trees a couple of years ago was removed, with some difficulty, and will be chipped at a future date. Lunch was taken at 13.00 and by that time some 8 volunteers had signed in! No further volunteers arrived on site but a couple of visitors walked down to the area and were very interested and supportive of the maintenance work being carried out on this section. During the day approximately 5 to 6 trees were cut down and removed to the west bank. During the latter part of the operation, the owner of the land to the east of the canal, Mrs D Manning, arrived and had quite a useful conversation with Mr L Ashton, owner of the canal. Mrs Manning gave her verbal permission to drop the trees, if necessary, onto her land prior to removal to the west bank. We left site around 16.00 however there are still a lot of trees to remove from the east bank and a further visit is likely to be required soon. It was a very tiring day due to the heat and humidity but we all agreed that it was well worth the effort! Chris Black Deputy Work Party Organiser. Many thanks for that Chris and to all who turned out to help. The next work party will be on Sunday 4th September at Bacton Wood Mill Lock. Hope to see you there.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Briggate Mill Pond. Sunday 7 August, 2011 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN. To inspect the site and generally clear away any brash found or created; to cut grass as far as possible; to clear as much weed and read as is feasible from the pond. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. The weather was fine all day and the forecast rain did not arrive until the evening. A total of ten (10) volunteers comprised the happy work-force for the day, and very enjoyable it was too! Andrea and Brian of Briggate had cut the grass/weeds on the chamber island during our previous work-party date so that made the task easier on this occasion. In fact, during the two weeks of sun and rainfall, the growth was not that great. Surprising? Leaving the small strip of taller weeds and reeds at the waterways' edge to protect the little beings, the chamber island was made to look really presentable again, together with the strip of grass alongside the public roadway. The top of the leaning wall was stripped of grass and earth for most of its' extent, from west to east, in order to make it visible. Some of the coping bricks did indeed fall off, under pressure, reminding us of the frailty of this wall. Alan ventured into the pond after our lunch break and managed, with great fortitude and determination, to clear all of the flowering weeds and some of the less resistant reeds from the visible pond site. The remaining reeds are of the more robust type and will need other means to remove them. But the pond does really look very much better and more and more favourable comments are now being received from the inhabitants of Briggate. One local lady said that although she had been against restoring the pond in the first instance, is now very much in favour of the programme, seeing that the pond is coming back to life again and is a pretty site! At the northern end of the site, at the edge of the privately owned little island, a fence has been erected to, I understand, contain sheep to the north of it. I noticed that the end support post had been erected adjacent to the marker post, which I had placed to mark the boundary of the island and canal. Quite pleasing! Some of the taller growth was removed from alongside the canal and the inlet to the pond, which makes the pond now far more visible from the public road areas. Some fish fry was seen in the pond, so there is hope in that direction at last. The edge of the road was once more cut and cleared so that the white safety posts and rail are now clearly visible and the area very tidy. Our next work party on Sunday 21st August will be at Ebridge for some quite interesting tasks to improve the area. Look out there for some rare birds, which may just be visiting? Nature is coming back all over. The finished area at the end of the day transformed as usual by the members of the work party. Thank you to all who took part in this enjoyable day at Briggate. Enjoyable? Should work be enjoyable? You bet it can!

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Honing Staithe Cut and Lock. Sunday 24 July, 2011 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN. To inspect both the sites at Honing Staithe Cut and the Lock area; to trim grass etc at both sites; trim back plant encroachments to The Walk. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. The weather was forecast to be fairly pleasant with the odd chance of a light shower - in the event we missed the shower! A total of ten (10) happy faces comprised the work party - but these changed somewhat upon the discovery that the replacement direction sign at Honing Staithe Cut had also been stolen! Ivan and Darren had erected the new sign on Sunday 26th June 2011 with some additional cross pieces fixed to the underground end of the post - and then fixed it in place with rubble and concrete mix. But still it was removed! A full report has already been sent to the police with the added comment that this is considered to be not just simple vandalism but a more determined effort by person(s) to destroy that which we are attempting to carry out for the benefit of both man and nature. Alan, one of our 'men-who-knows' about such things, revealed the locations of more Himalayan Balsam and proceeded to remove as much as possible of the offending plant - some along the canal bank. I introduced a, new, Peter to the Lock area and later accompanied Kevin with his mower to clean up that same area. Since these grassed areas had been cut only some two weeks ago as part of our long term maintenance scheme, these operations are now quite easy and relatively quick to carry out. Several canoes came upstream and one or two proceeded further northwards towards the Cut region. It is good to see the canal being used again; albeit with some great difficulties in the lower, below Honing Lock, pound and also just above the lock. It is planned to work in the canal above the lock during the cooler Autumnal/Winter months. The general area of The Cut was left in a very tidy looking condition and worthy of partaking of a rest with the afternoon sunshine bouncing off the water. More saplings were removed from the canal bank alongside the Walk, thus providing a better view of the well running water and pretty, though obstructive, reed beds and water lilies against the far bank. Oh! For a de-silting operation period and lock gates to raise the water level to a sustainable level for the ultimate benefit of both flora and fauna! Our intrepid Roger, suitably attired and restrained, ventured below 'D' bridge in the canal and removed several obstructions which were either growing in the canal or objects lying under it. It all helps! We finally left site just after 16.00 and wended our weary ways in the direction of home, another good and productive day behind us. Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the day. Our next meeting will be at Briggate Mill Pond on Sunday 7th August 2011, and I look forward to seeing you there.

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In Co-operation with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust Work Party at Bacton Wood Canal Weir area. Sunday 10 July, 2011 Report from: David Revill, EAWA. Work Party Leader. THE PLAN. To continue our regular maintenance of natural growth at each site; to attend the weir site at Bacton Wood and continue to clear back felled trees and brash; to clear further brash from the dry canal bed in order to permit cutting of grass and weeds; to remove the small, temporary bridges, which were erected near to the lower breach in order to gain access to the upper stretch of the dry canal bed. WORK ACHIEVEMENT. The weather was forecast to be sunny, with some cloud and the risk of the odd shower. In the event we received the first two but missed out on the shower! After the H&S and normal briefing for the day, two new volunteers, a Geoff and a Peter were welcomed and introduced to the regulars. It was quite warm again but nevertheless our Firemaster did light a fire, again on the concrete area of the weir to prevent unintentional damage to wild-life and plants, in order to process the enormous amount of brash still remaining. As most of the brash had been there several months since the winter, the grass had grown quite intensively into the twigs, making their removal the more difficult. At the start of the day, Chris had collected the large mower and visited Briggate Mill Pond to get the weeds and grass down to a reasonable level on the chamber island and adjacent areas. This was achieved with considerable fortitude as the machine is quite heavy to manoeuvre - and the land is not totally flat, either. It is hoped to properly landscape this area in the winter months. As at Honing (both sites), an area of growth was left adjacent to the waters' edge to provide protection to 'the little beings' and also butterflies, which were in high abundance. It was also noted at Briggate that a heron makes a very regular visit to the pond and also a kingfisher is often seen flying in. At least one pair of mallard ducks has taken up residence there. Nature is coming back for the benefit of all! Thank you Chris and Andrea. Meanwhile, back at the weir, the land to the left of the backsoke was totally cleared of remaining brash and timber. Darren and Geoff had gone downstream a way and removed the small, redundant bridges at the earlier request of the landowner. Following the lunch-break, taken in the shade of the trees, Chris arrived with his chainsaw and made the removal of the brash in the canal bed a lot easier and before we left site at about 16.00, a clear run now presents itself to the operator of the mowing/cutting machine. There are still a couple of dead trees to be removed from the north-eastern bank, but they are on the outside of the bank. My thanks again to all who attended and made another stride forward! The next meeting will be at Honing where we will meet at the Honing triangles as usual.

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