A not quite perfect place

Lighter work today than we usually undertake, but a task popular with the group for sentimental reasons – and in a lovely spot, which just needs occasional TLC.

The annual maintenance of the pond-side area at Wallingford Castle Meadows takes us back to where it all began for WGG with a pilot project in the early years of this century.  For most Green-Gymmers that is truly ancient history – positively Neolithic period:

Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney

Only two of our number remember that first summer’s work on a project which extended over several years: to restore, and open to the public, a zone which had been entirely fenced off because it was just a wilderness of thistles, nettles, ragwort, and pond life.  There were weeds taller than ourselves to uproot, and a pond to dredge; a pathway to build, and steps to cut out; a dipping platform to construct, and gates to hang.  One of those members is now ‘C’; and the other, our webmaster. 

Since then, maintenance of the pond area has included: annual weeding of the path, usually adding some more woodchips as well; and raking up cut stuff on the banks, where a site warden has gone on before with a strimmer.   There were no woodchips to be had this year, but it was immediately apparent on arrival at the site that there was plenty of weeding to be done:

A less than promising view from the gate:

potential visitors could barely see the line of the path

Clearly a task for the energetic members of Green Gym, tooled up with trowels and small forks …

watched over by ‘Charlie’ (who was good at giving moral support) …

and only occasionally got in the way:

“Hello, Charlie! Any chance of your moving out of the way?”

Answer is NO

 

Once the warden was done with his strimmer (apparently scythes are coming for next year), there was some raking to do:

A few things have changed since we completed the overhaul of the site.  Some of the timber used in the hard landscaping been replaced (in some instances with recycled plastic).  There is an information board …

complete with photograph of original Green-Gymmers at work:

Figure on the left of the WGG snap is the then Group Leader

Hooded figure to the right is thought to be the present ‘C’

Also, the front edges of the steps had been highlighted, to improve accessibility for people with visual impairment.  So this year, there was an extra job to be done – and a new one for Green Gym – that classic task for the British workman: painting white lines.  Other volunteers said it was reminiscent of basic army training (“If it moves, salute it; if it doesn’t move, paint it”).  Enter the artist:

All in all – literally looking back, as we left – it was definitely a day on which it could be said, “You can see where we’ve been”:

Before

After