Work Party Report - by Colin Greenall

Well, we finally made it back to the Work Parties after a break of 13 months. Our project for the day was to clear vegetation and litter from in and around Winwick Dry Dock. Once on site things soon got going as volunteers arrived, the tools were sorted out, and wheeled across to the Dry Dock.

The first task was to remove a section of fencing to allow access to the dock. Then all the brambles and other types of vegetation were removed from around the top edge of the dock walls. Soon the top surrounding area was beginning to look good with the vegetation we had cut back being hidden in the under growth which abounds thereabouts.

The interpretation board was given a good wash by Ian who also cut back the growth that was threatening to engulf it.

After the tea-break work got going in the dock Peter and Ian cleared under the foot bridge, and Darren went round doing the litter pick while Andy, Bob, Arthur and Paul began the laborious task of scraping the grass and weeds from the walls. (See front cover picture).

When Peter and Ian had finished clearing under the bridge Peter went on to the walls and Ian and I began to repair the missing section of fence. First we dug out the old post from its concrete block, found a replacement in our wood pile, and then refitted it in the original hole. Two of the fence rails were found in the vegetation nearby, but for the top rail it was back to the wood store to find a length to fit.

After dinner work continued on the clearing of vegetation from the walls.  Bob and Andy were on the south wall, with Arthur, Peter, Paul, and later John, on the north wall. Ian went home after dinner to do some painting while Darren and I made a start on clearing the floor of the dock.

The floor of the dock was every wet due to the drain appearing to be blocked. All attempts at trying to clear it failed - I even put on the waders and went in the ditch were the drain comes out,  but vigorous prodding it from this end made know difference. Eventually we realised that the level of water in the ditch was the same as that in the dock!

By late afternoon we reluctantly decided to call it a day, the tools were gathered together and the site checked to make sure every thing was in order then we replace the section of fence we had removed for access. Then all the tools had been cleaned and put back in the shed or trailer.

Thanks to everyone who turned out, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Next work party: 4th November

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