It was a very wet start to the working New Year for the handful of our volunteers who ventured out. Those hardy souls met at the Canoe Store in Coed Gwilym Park where, unfortunately, we found that the new roof continues to leak in a number of places. With several damp locations identified, Gordon has made the contractors aware of the issue and they will be back with us as soon as the weather improves to correct the problems!

It was, however, still drier inside than out and there was beneficial work that could be done. The single kayaks, which are stored upright at the back of the store, previously rested on carpet which had become damp and rotten. John G had purchased some black rubber flooring material, much like that used for car parks, therefore a familiar canoe store ritual was repeated yet again – the great kayak evacuation! Alan T, Chris M, John G, Martin W, Gordon and our new helper, Andrew soon had the space cleared and the kayaks all lined up outside. The new flooring strip was unrolled and laid in place and then, you guessed it, all the kayaks were emptied of rainwater, brought back in and returned to their storage positions. The new flooring does a much better job of preventing the kayaks from slipping and makes their removal and return much safer for our canoe hire team.

Alan W lugged the flasks and crockery all the way to the canoe store and then had to lug them all the way back home unused because we decided to curtail work before 11.00, due to the rain! Andy and Sue also showed up bearing cakes at what should have been teatime, only to find the place deserted! Rees provided moral support throughout the morning from the warmth of Gordon’s van and Paul made the bus trip to join us, but unfortunately he arrived just as we decided to call it a day.

As we left Gordon, John G and Alan T took a moment to unblock a drain behind the canoe store which had cause a muddy flood right across the path running through the park. Clearing a layer of mud and leaves was a simple task, but one which makes all the difference to users of this green space and those accessing the canal towpath.

Only a few photos were taken of the group efforts, but it was one more job completed and ticked off.