Task Reports

We were working on a different wall this year, a few fields away from 'our' wall. 

We were next to a beautiful stream with tumbling waterfalls, but that is were the idyllic geology finished - the wall was wobbly, wavy and awkward. But we like a challenge. Don't we?

The more experienced team started on a section on a steep slope, whilst the rest of us heading to a flat section for an easy stretch for a couple of first timers. First impressions can be deceptive! We ended up stripping out just short of 5m and really should have gone a whole lot further. As we worked we wisely commented on some strange practices, "no wonder the wall collapsed", as we rebuilt we felt total sympathy for our predecessors and followed their example. Interesting how different the collection of stone seemed just several hundred meters away. 

Having got soaked on Friday afternoon we were a bit nervous of what Sunday's weather held in store for us, but it turned out to be not too bad. A bit of rain, but we could work. The steep section had been completed on Saturday and that group took on a further section and were also able to help complete the 'easy' section by lunchtime on Sunday.  

We were pleased to welcome Steve back into our midst, visiting for the day from his new location in the next valley. Peter Katic (NT) has since been in touch to thank us for the work; a section that he passes regularly and is now pleased to see the gaps repaired. 

Well, we made good progress this week, but didn't quite get to the place we hoped to. This was in no way a reflection on the amazing efforts of all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to complete the timber edging, barrow the stone, spread it and compact it, but was more a result of needing some finer grade stone to aid the binding of the top layer in places.

On Wednesday we were grateful for help from Ian and the Forest of Bradford volunteers (and Ian's pick up) for helping with a further 24 bags of stone. That's just about 24 tonnes. And a further 6 were delivered on Thursday. So in all we barrowed roughly 55 tonnes across the field. That is some work out. 

In addition to all the path work a team made a great job of leveling the turf in the area adjacent to the park. A fairly rudimentary approach to landscaping but with plenty of potential to create a great wildflower bank. 

At times there seemed to be a comical comparison to the work going on next door at the new secondary school build. They are all hard hats, high viz, machines and neat shrubs. We are all manual labour, hard work and dedication. In all there have been 101 'volunteer days' worked over the past three weeks. Thank you everyone.

Please see the report for Friday 19th for this week's update.

Please see the report for Friday 19th for this week's update.

Three days hard work in the sun has resulted in notable progress with the path. 

The majority of the timber edging is in place. We were able to make speedy progress down the straight central path. The remaining stretch will be slower as it involves a few shaped corners and bends but we hope to finish it next Wednesday. 

Another load of hardcore has been shifted from the car park to the Park, but I had not managed to order a further delivery in time to take advantage of an enthusiastic and hardworking team from Santander. Thanks to everyone BEES vols and Santander) for your help and good company.  

Once the edging is complete, the remaining tasks include packing the outer edge of the boards, laying the fabric and then lots and lots of barrowing of hardcore. I had underestimated the amount of stone we would need so we have a big job next week to complete the work. We also need to compact the paths with the wacker plate, and we will have two in action next Thursday and Friday. There is still a bit of the turf, which was removed for the line of the path, to shift.

Hope to see you next week. Bring your friends!

Wednesday depart Culture Fusion 8.45am, Thursday depart 9.30am, Friday depart 10am.

Please see the report for Friday 12th June to see how we have progressed this week. 

Please see the report for Friday 12th June to see how we have progressed this week.

Thursday 4th and Friday 5th June

We have made a great start to pathway that we are constructing around the edge of the Kinaesthetic Park in the school grounds. 

On Thursday we were joined by a digger and the experienced team of Joe and Willy (Phil Drake's team), who scraped the turf and the top layer of soil from the route of the path. They used their vehicles to move the sods to an area nearby where we will spread them to cover a patch of bare soil exposed by the neighbouring building work. The rest of the work on the path will be done my our own fair hands with some welcome help from visiting groups.

We were particularly pleased to welcome a group of ESOL students from Bradford College on Friday. Without them we would have struggled to barrow the 13 tonnes of the hardcore across the field.

Whilst the barrowing and turf moving were under way, a small team was working within the Park to install the timber edging of the path. It is essential care is taken to keep this at ground level so as not to get in the way of the mowers, or create trip hazards. Once the timber was secured in place with site pegs, ground cover fabric was laid and finally hardcore tipped on top to fill the path. The depth as approximately 150mm, proving a sound foundation which will improve the access to the area and increased opportunities for outdoor learning in the future.

We will continue the work on Wednesday 10th (when we are expecting our next delivery of hardcore), leaving Culture Fusion at 8.45am, or meet at school. We will also be there on Thursday and Friday.

Please see the report for Friday 5th June to read about progress so far. 

Well, that didn't go to plan!

Nineteen of us set of for the treat of day at St Ives preparing timber and loading the kilns. However, laden with our logs we found the track to the kiln site had been blocked. Although this will be rectified it could not be resolved today so we set up camp in the field opposite the cafe. 

We had an axing zone, effectively used the timber wedges to split logs, and used the picnic benches as make shift saw horses. All the logs were prepared, which just leaves the issue of getting up the hill and loading the kilns ready for a burn.