A Beautiful Day of Volunteering in Didsbury Park
TODAY
It was a real pleasure to be volunteering in the park today. We had clear blue skies overhead and a warm sun beating down on us all morning. Whichever direction you looked in the park it was abundant with beautiful flowering spring bulbs. So many people walking through the park kept thanking us all for creating such a lovely park for them to enjoy.
Picture 1 captures the moment when Sue Kaberry stopped whilst walking her dogs to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers. From left to right in the picture are Wahim, Chris, Shashvat, me, Chris, Sue and our two volunteer students from Manchester University.
We had a guest volunteer appearance today from Lorraine who was one of our early 2015 volunteers and also one of our original trustees when we became a charity in 2018. Lorraine now lives in Garstang and it was great to see her back with us once more.
We had a total of 37 volunteers enjoying the sunny weather in the park today. Everybody was made very welcome.
TODAY - IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR KICK FENCE MAINTENANCE
We took advantage of the warm conditions today to set up a large team to paint a coat of preservative onto the full length of kick fencing along the Flower Walk. Our preservative painting team of Christine, Jane, Wendy, Lesley Mc, Charlie, Chris and our two student volunteers from Manchester University did a fabulous job and painted the kick fencing from one end of the Flower Walk to the other. After our coffee break the team then moved on to painting the kick fencing along the path from the Wilmslow Road entrance.
Picture 2 shows Charlie working on the fencing near the gate. Thank you everyone - this was a great result.
Meanwhile on the other side of the park Gary and Carl N were busy taking out rotting sections of kick fencing and replacing them with new timbers. Picture 3 shows Gary at work adding a new section of fencing.
TODAY - WE WELCOMED DONATIONS OF PLANTS
From time to time we receive donations of plants from friends and supporters in the community. This week has been no exception. Dorethea from West Didsbury contacted us via our website to offer us a large selection of excellent plants from her garden. We owe a huge thanks to Jude today. Jude volunteered to drive over to West Didsbury to meet Dorethea and return with a car full of super plants which we have stored in the volunteers shelter and we will care for during this coming week and plant next Monday. Thank you Jude and Dorethea.
TODAY - MORE PLANTS ADDED TO THE PARK - AZALEA JAPONICA
Thanks to an initiative from Julie we were also able to add a couple of very attractive azaleas to our stock of plants in the park today. Two azalea japonica (white lady) were carefully planted in the Flower Walk to enhance this well stocked flower bed. Thank you Julie.
PIcture 4 shows Lucy, Lorraine and Julie pausing in their weeding of the rockery, for a photograph! Thank you all for this keeping on top of this weeding.
TODAY - ROSE BED MAINTENANCE
Just as Lorraine, Lucy and Julie were working on the Rockery and nearby flower beds so Picture 5 shows Lorna and Denise doing a similar super job on one of the rose beds. Thank you both - this bed is looking amazing.
TODAY - THE MODEL OF THE VOLUNTEERS SHELTER IS DISPLAYED IN THE CAFE
Picture 6 shows Kate (the creator of the Didsbury Mouse Trail series) and her amazing model of the 'volunteers shelter' before it was permanently installed on the wall of the cafe by Murray. If you get the chance please do inspect it closely - it even contains a version of the King's Award for Voluntary Service plaque.
Thank you Kate and Murray.
TODAY - LITTER PICKERS AT THE READY
When Allan and I arrived in the park at 8:30am this morning we were absolutely delighted to see that the MCC team had already been in the park and emptied all the litter bins especially as it was following a weekend when the park was full of visitors on each day. A huge thank you to the MCC team!! This was a great start for us this morning.
Thanks to the bins looking so good we were able to easily finish off our clearance of any other stray litter in the park. Picture 7 shows a lovely picture of our litter warriors Winnie and dad Andrew as they clean up the park in the sunshine. Thank you both - this was a great litter pick across the park this morning.
TODAY - EARLY MAINTENANCE OF THE WILLOW FENCE
Sadly the new willow hooped fence we installed around the roundabout last week did suffer some damage during the week. We are not certain if this was deliberate or not so first thing this morning Kevin set to work supported by Carl M to re-install and strengthen the willow hoops.
Picture 8 shows Kevin discussing the approach with Gill N as she arrived in the park. Thank you Kevin and Carl - fingers crossed that this does not suffer any further damage.
TODAY - WOODLAND MAINTENANCE
Following research work undertaken by Greg and Kevin we had a very successful discussion today about the approach to woodland maintenance in the woodland area behind the daffodil bulb area bordering the bottom section of the Poppy Path. The discussion was joined by the team working on creating dry branch fencing along the rear of this area.
Picture 9 shows the team of Sandra, Debbie, Greg and Gill B all laden with dry branches ready to continue fencing activities. Thank you all - a very progressive piece of work.
TODAY - ATTENTION TO PATHWAYS
Today the pathways near the Gillbrook Road exit and the Poppy Path exit were given particular attention.
Picture 10 shows Allan starting on the path near the cafe entrance. Allan was later joined by Brenda and Lorraine and this whole area was soon looking amazing clean. Thank you Brenda, Lorraine and Allan.
TODAY - OTHER IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN IN THE PARK TODAY THE PARK
Trees - There were a number of projects associated with trees today which were overseen by Joyce. Firstly the team of Shasvat, Wasim, Chris and John did an amazing job as they visited all the small to medium trees on the main field and removed any weeds or grass around the bases. Once this was achieved they then topped up the tree bases with mulch.
Trees - Secondly we had a large fir tree next to the DNC which was dominating a small feature tree in the park. We had discussed with the MCC arbor team and agreed the branches which needed which pruning. Following discussion with Murray and Joyce it was agreed that the team of Allan and Carl N could safely undertaken this pruning from the ground using a hand held long pruning saw. Amazingly although it was hard work I am pleased to report that Allan and Carl, wearing all the appropriate safety equipment were able to successfully prune back the large fir tree branch. Well done guys - great work!
Chain Fencing - Especial thanks are due to Shashvat and Chris who repaired the chain fence near the cafe. This fence has been a tremendous success in preventing the grassed area being turned into a mud path. Thank you guys.
Poppy Path - Tom once again did a great job today in tidying up the bottom end of the Poppy Path. Thank you Tom.
Bird Garden - It was great to see Roger arriving this morning with another variation in experimental fencing rolled under his arm. Roger soon proceeded to install it around the Bird Garden where the hedging was at its weakest. Leaving nothing to chance, Roger also brought his dog with him to test out his anti dog barriers to the Bird Garden. This is amazing dedication Roger. Thank you!
Path to Wilmslow Road: Once again Lesley M did a very thorough job cleaning up the path between the main park and the Wilmslow Road entrance. This was a lovely job - thank you Lesley.
New Roof Repair for the Volunteers Shelter: I am pleased to report that work started today by MCC contractors to repair the rot in the roof of the volunteers shelter. Thank you MCC.
NOTICES
Grace - Please do spare a thought tonight for Grace who is being treated at home in bed by the District Nurse following an accident on Friday evening.
MEN - Under the headlines - THE HIDDEN GREATER MANCHESTER PARK WITH SPRING FLOWERS SECRET TRAILS AND A ZIP WIRE - we have received more publicity from the Manchester Evening News. If you are interested here is the link to the article (thanks to Alan and Richard for spotting it)
FREE EVENT AT DIDSBURY NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE - END OF LIFE MATTERS
With legislation currently going through Parliament about assisted end of life, DGN are holding a live streamed free event on Friday 28th March, 2-4pm presented by Manchester Community Forum. If you are interested (in attending the event!) will you please let Jamie know.
THANK YOU ONCE MORE FOR YOUR AMAZING SUPPORT