Another scorching day for another session of canal clearing between the Canal Centre and Pont John. We were thrilled to welcome three extra pairs of hands from the Department of Work and Pensions, here as part of their service to their community service scheme. A sub-group of John, James and Alan went to Coed Gwilym Park. Water levels have become desperately low so they worked hard to improve the flow. Without this, we were concerned that canoe & kayak hire would have to be suspended.

The first task was to assemble a storage box. John and Peter made light work of it despite failing to receive the “If all else fails, read the instructions” memo.

Tom gave the grass around the stone barge a light trim.

Tom and Chris charged the strimmer with new plastic cable and then cleared the bank halfway up to the Mond. Pete followed along, sweeping the towpath.

Everyone else worked on the canal up to Pont John. The ladies trimmed along the towpath whilst Gordon in “Nellie” and the chaps pulled irises and weed from the cut, and barrowed away last week’s debris. The DWA recruits were soon hard at it.

Refreshments were taken back at the Centre. Jan W provided the cakes this week. Gordon, sporting natty home-made shorts, tucked in.

Work on the weed pulling continued after tea and the ladies watered the gardens, that have been recognised by “Clydach In Bloom” as the best Community/Volunteer Garden. A very well deserved award.