A change of venue today as the vols assembled on the canal alongside the Riverside Community Centre. The task was to remove trees from the cut. We set to in high spirits and managed to survive the occasional shower.

Gordon loaded up “Nellie” and was soon hard at it cutting the overhanging trees. The vols used the pulley system to haul the branches to the bank where they were chopped up and stashed away to rot down.

A little further downstream, we tackled a large branch that had broken off one of the many trees that line the canal. We only had hand saws and brute strength but the result was just as good.

Those not involved with hauling out the trees did a grand job cutting back excess growth along the towpath.

Time for tea with delicious cakes baked by Jan. Anna and Cerys were hoping for cake too!

After tea, we continued with the tree work.

Alan W and Martin went to the Buried Lock site where Alan planted osteospermums.

He also generously donated rudbeckia, hellebore and asters which he and Martin added to the existing beds.

Hard, physical work today but the increased flow was evidence for a job well done. We will be back next week to remove a couple more large bushes.