Taking the sting out of things

A small team of 4 (2 x Friends of Haymill, 1 x Goodgymer and Bob, from BBOWT, the task owner) met up to tackle the reed beds which were over grown with nettles. After the health and safety briefing and collecting our tools we set off. On the way we stopped to deal with a fallen tree that was partially obstructing the path. This was a bigger job than we realised however 20 minutes later we set off again to the reed bed area. This was an area we were working in 2 months ago, yet the extent to which the nettles and long grass had taken over was incredible.

Pepsi (his nickname) set off wielding the slasher to clear a path through the nettles with Bob following behind with a scythe. Valda and I set to on an out of control tree that needed cutting back.

We all then came together at the stream and started digging an extension to the main channel so the stream would flow further into the reed bed and reinvigorate reed growth.

After a short break for tea, coffee and a slice (or 2) of Valda's wonderful home made fruit cake, we resumed our digging and completed a little side channel too.

Watching the stream flow down to reach and fill the side channel was mesmerising and satisfying after all our hard labour.