After another scorching weekend, today proved to be a bit cooler and much wetter! Never mind, the volunteers soldiered on, retreating to the shelter of the workshop whenever the rain poured down. Jan and Moira went to Coed Gwilym Park to tend to the gardens as the rest of us got stuck in to a variety of tasks in and around the Canal Centre.

Bob had to bale out the boat yet again! Unfortunately, the strong winds had blown the rain past the tarpaulin. He also took the opportunity to add securing blocks to the handrails.

Alan fabricated a safety rail to restrict access to the slipway.

Chris pulled up the dead annuals that had brightened up the edge of the basin.

Andy and Sharon removed the large branches from the compost pile and stashed them safely behind the towpath fence before Sharon began filling our new compost bin. She was helped after tea by Jan and Moira. Good compost was spread over Martin’s flower bed, leaving the bin full and the previously ugly pile looking much tidier.

Dave continued his valiant effort to improve the grassy knoll.

Alan, Phil, Mike and John Grav added more ballast around the gabion protecting the culvert.

John Gw secured glass shelving in the toilet. The tiles provided a stiff challenge to his bits!

Tea was taken with a selection of delicious treats baked by Chris.

After tea, we unveiled our new Green Flag Community Award, our tenth in a row.

Sharon showed us the fantastic “Build A Canal” kit provided by Glandŵr Cymru. The wooden models of features found along the canal were charming and realistic. This kit will be a fun teaching aid for our younger visitors.

All these tasks continued after tea and we also lowered another telegraph pole onto the waterside path. Rowan, Gordon and John Gr soon had it safely secured in place.

Another day of hard graft. The rain showers were somewhat inconvenient but nothing stops our volunteers.