This week the volunteers were back on familiar ground. A magnificent turnout was soon hard at work on a chilly but bright morning.

In Coed Gwilym Park, Moira, Christina, Gill and Ronnie cleaned up the forecourt while Chris planted a bush and Dave cut back brash.

Most of the vols worked in the Buried Lock site. We have a limited time on site before James Daley and his team start in earnest on restoring the lock.

Martin, Carly and Dan were eager to tidy the garden as much as possible.

Martin waxed lyrical: “It may only be the last dregs of January but signs of spring are clearly evident evident in the Hidden Lock site garden.

Tete-a-tete daffodils are almost in bloom. A miniature carnation/pink is defying midwinter with its flowers and, more attuned to the mid winter, a lovely red hellebore looks up for the camera.”

The preparations for another spring planting can be seen in the sub soil which has been brought from Coed Gwilym Park and placed on the new by-wash bank. When the top soil arrives we will be able to plant our lovely native saplings donated to us by the Woodland Trust.

Gordon tidied up the start of the by-wash.

The most labour-intensive task involving many volunteers was lining the near-side of the by-wash. This needs to be completed soon as James will need to divert the flow into the by-wash before he can start on the excavations. Gareth and Bob mixed the mortar, Phil delivered it and the troops laid the stone.

Time for tea and chat. Andy, despite his injury, baked this week.

The biggest work party of the year really got stuck in this week. Another of couple of sessions on the by-wash wall should have it ready for James.