Wednesday 30 July 2014

Yet another stunning morning in paradise





and in Wallingford Castle Meadows.  Perfect for swinging pick axes (or mattocks – what is the difference?), breaking up rocks, shoveling gravel, chasing nosy cattle, or standing in the shade of an old oak tree drinking coffee, eating ANZAC biscuits and admiring the view:



Task today was to improve accessibility to the Meadow, particularly for wheelchair & motorised scooter users – by removing 6 cms of the existing very compact earth, gravel, rocks and occasional tree root, from around the kissing gates and the information boards, and replacing it with fresh new self binding gravel.   

"What on earth is self binding gravel?" I hear you ask – well some of you. 

Self Binding Gravel is a unique product favoured by those who like the natural effect of gravel but with a firmer finish. Self Binding Gravel is widely used around stately homes, heritage properties and woodland paths due to its relatively hard wearing properties.   

 Still not entirely clear what it is that makes it 'self binding' and 'hard wearing'.  However below is a trailer load of said gravel:
 

One group of today's much depleted team worked on the entrance through the kissing gate at Cemetery Lane:




and the other across the field at the Thames Path access gate:




A third `group’ seemed more interested in trashing the tools than using them:


And were definitely looking the other way at the mention of `back to work’! 

[Ed: Meanwhile a fourth cohort of Green-Gymmers - including 'C' - was dispersed on holiday at various locations ...]

The Thames path group did a sterling job ...


and finished in good time to assist with gravel spreading at Cemetery Lane:



Finally ready for compacting with the roller ...


and the raising of the GREEN FLAG 2014-15.   'Green Flag' is a national award for parks and green spaces across England and Wales.  Sites compete annually to be the 'best green spaces' in the country and need to demonstrate year-on-year improvement to retain the award.