Cuttings it close - raking it down to the wire

With lockdown looming we managed to squeeze in one more community mission before the restrictions tighten up, and Roger from Heworth Without Parish Council was keen to have our assistance. We had been due the following week, but as that was now not permitted Michal had managed to answer the plea for help and assemble a crack team at short notice to get the job done.

Our task was to rake up all the cuttings from their triangular meadow, to prevent the material breaking down and putting the nutrients back into the soil, and instead transfer it to the base of the trees in the Jubilee Wood which would be glad of the mulch. Roger was well-equipped with rakes and tarps, and showed us the best way to where he wanted the cuttings taking - the wood was much bigger than it first appeared in the dark, although the moon was bright in the cool air.

Convinced that the job would be over too quickly if it was all hands on deck, Commander Michal had constructed a circuits workout to occupy a few people at a time, whilst the others raked and dragged. Unfortunately there was many an excuse bounding around; not limited to "I've just had dinner" or "I'm not dressed properly". Having been warned to expect wet feet, there was an array of footwear to be seen - lunging in wellies was a new one on me. Noble Ed did both rounds of the workout to keep us company, and Fergs (GG canine regiment) did his best "crufts agilty" impression i.e. getting between your legs, and imparting big slobbery kisses mid-press up.

As our hour came to a close we had done our best at getting up all the cuttings we could see, and discussions had turned to the foodstuffs that were going to motivate us through lockdown- Chinese and brownies seemed to come out on top. We will miss seeing people together, but as it was the third night in a row that Rich had seen some of us, he did think it was getting a bit much. Well you've got the perfect excuse to avoid us now.

We tidied the tools back to the container and Roger sang our praises at a job well done. Glad we could help! See you on the other side.

Thank you... you always do things and have fun, and work so efficiently. I can't praise you highly enough. I really can't .