The Christmas and New Year break now seems a distant memory (although I did manage to do a couple of large litter picks during that time.... filling 2 sacks on each occasion! 😒).
The new year began with me helping to install 2 commemorative benches just outside the picnic area.
Digging down 3 feet to accommodate the legs.
Unfortunately, one of the battery packs for the auger needed recharging, so Tabby and I ended up finishing the holes with rabbiting spades and a post hole digger.
Being careful to line up with the height of the first bench, we then trepanned and drilled through the seat to enable us to secure it to the legs with coach screws.
The benches will each be fitted with a back rest for completion.
There will also be a commemorative tree installed between them.
The city college volunteers had been busy again, continuing with clearing the overrun brambles to the side of the main track.
So, after we had finished working on the benches, Tabby and I took the trailer to remove the cuttings and set about firing up the incinerator.
Update....
The completed commemorative benches and tree.
Our attention next turned to the Deer Park. Matt and Tabby had been clearing trees by a walled enclosure near the Burma Road/Spixworth Road junction.
The woodchipper was loaded onto a trailer together with chainsaws for logging.
Tonne bags were used to catch the chippings, which will be stored for mulching later on.
We managed to feed all of the branches through the chipper. This was a good mornings work.
There will be more work required to remove the ivy, which is damaging the old wall. It is hoped to restore this further at some point in the future.
The afternoon was spent coppicing laurel in the woods at the back of the picnic area. This was last done about a year ago, but is very fast growing.
A week later, I was involved in another project. The plan is to install 10 parkland trees on the northern section of Catton Park to help filter views of the modern housing off Church Street, and allowing the Hall and 'gothic cottage' to stand out as the main structures within the designed landscape.
Of course, this very much for the benefit of future generations, as these slow growing trees will not mature in our lifetime.
Today, we managed to plant 8 of the trees (6 oak & 2 hornbeam) complete with metal guards, and followed by mulching.
Check out my next blog, which hopefully will include a new project planned by Friends of Catton Park.
