We had a team of five today – Paul, Marcus, Steve, Ian and Martin. This week, for a bit of variety, we put in three little benches instead of one big one.

They are located just south of the access by Carroll Close. Come and give them a try (but give the Postcrete time to set hard first). We were reminded that putting one bench in is relatively easy, but getting three in a neat and symmetrical pattern is a bit harder. After digging and re-digging six holes we think we got it about right. We put one in first and measured from that. One of the group even uttered the words “datum point” which sounded really technical.

The total cost to the group was precisely £0.00. That’s thanks to Clive and Vicki who both donated via the “buy-me-a-coffee” link, which paid for the Postcrete; Paul’s neighbour Andy who donated the wood; and his friend David who cut the posts to size with a very impressive mitre saw. Oh and the nearby stream which provided the water for the Postcrete.

We do like to put in benches in groups as it helps to make the Greenway somewhere for people to meet socially. We had a discussion about the name of this bench cluster. We have settled on “The Friendship Triangle” which sounds very nice and doesn’t have the negative associations of “The Love Triangle”!!

It was a beautiful spring morning. If you’ve not been down the Greenway lately, this is a great time to visit.

Xylem volunteer day

Big thanks to Raj and her team from Xylem for a really productive day volunteering on the Greenway. We hope they had as much fun and companionship as the regular team do.

Tasks performed included:

• making insect dens (lots of them) from old branches lying up on the banks
• cutting ivy off trees
• litter picking
• cutting back brambles etc

A big THANK YOU to you all!