2 goodgymers helped with maintaining a local chalk stream this morning. Becky and I joined Abbey People to build on the amazing restoration work done earlier this year. We divided into 2 groups, one on each side of the stream. One of the tasks was to remove the plastic netting put in place in the spring to protect the stream as it regained its full flow.

It was arduous but satisfying work as the shears and secateurs came out to cut back brambles in order to get to the netting. There was a moment of drama when the anguished cries of a little muntjac deer were heard. The poor thing had been caught in the plastic netting, but we thankfully managed to free them and send them on their way.

Another task was to remove a wooden way-marker post that had been spotted in the water further up-stream. Donning waders and armed with litter pickers, the stream was first cleared of rubbish before some expert teamwork saw the wooden post retrieved and hauled up the bank, before being carried aloft as a trophy back to the rest of the group.

It was quite a wet and rainy morning, but our spirits were not dampened as we achieved all we'd set out to do.