A special day dawned as we met in Coed Gwilym Park to welcome a group of volunteers from British Telecom. We kitted them out in the appropriate PPE and set up two tandem canoes. They and our volunteers then set out to cut back the overhanging vegetation from the off bank. They then manoeuvred the debris to the towpath where more vols hauled it out, cut it up and stashed it away. This mammoth task continued both sides of tea. Vast amounts were cut back and removed and, mercifully, nobody fell in!

Downstream of the park, Gordon, Chris M, Duncan and Lance laboured to add a new Nicospan barrier to control the stream running in from Kingrossia Park. Chris appears to be reading the instructions for the post knocker.

Chris G, Moira, Jan and Martin titivated the prize-winning gardens. They are in full bloom now (the gardens, not the volunteers) and look absolutely fabulous (as do the volunteers).

Time for a drink with cakes and savouries prepared by Ronnie. Delicious!

After tea, worked continued on the rafts and gardens. In addition, Sue dragged out brash from the canal below the Buried Lock, Lance and Duncan cleared the steps and Andy bashed a bit of balsam.

During the course of the morning, CRT contractors removed the huge branch that had fallen near the stables in Trebanos. Were contractors chanting “Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum” as they worked? – now why should that be?.

Another great day’s work. It was a pleasure to welcome the team from BT. We hope they enjoyed their hard labour on the canal.