TODAY

A combination of late summer holidays, rain overnight and first thing this morning, and a particularly poor weather forecast for the rest of the morning, and a no-show by a team of volunteers from business, all had a combined effect of a lower than average turnout of volunteers this morning. Despite all these conditions we still had a very respectable turnout of 20 volunteers. Our volunteers today included Rebecca, Nicola and sister who came to discuss the future plans for the maintenance of the new bench installed near the volunteers shelter and Alex a new local volunteer and recent graduate. Everybody was made welcome. 

A SECOND WINDFALL OF PLANTS (PINKS) 

I had another fortuitous phone call on Friday to let me know that there had been a delivery of ex supermarket hardy perennial dianthus at the Trafford Park warehouse. Two and a half pallet loads to be precise. So first thing on Saturday morning Allan and I made two trips each and returned on both occasions with our cars full of plants. We unloaded them into temporary storage on the wild flower meadow whereupon Sonia kindly gave them all a good watering. Picture 1 shows the full extent of the huge challenge we started to tackle this morning as we set about planting them in the park.

Picture 2 shows (from left to right) Christine, Tristan, Alex and Lesley Mc planting the dianthus in the rain around the roundabout. This team of planters were later joined by Louise, Kevin C, Greg, Carl M and John as they moved on to further planting in the rose beds (See John in picture 3) and in the flower beds behind the Bird Garden. This was a tremendous planting effort by everyone involved - thank you all!

We were also able to donate a good supply of these new plants to the 3 members of the Didsbury Good Neighbours gardening team who worked alongside us today to collect new plants and add lots of new colour to the cafe and DGN gardens.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped plant these lovely new colourful plants around the park. It has made a huge difference already. 

TIME TO TIDY UP THE NEWLY PAINTED CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND

Following the successful completion of the painting of the railings around the children's playground last week, Carl M and Allan, did a final inspection today and removed all the protection barriers, wet paint signs and red and white security tape.  

Picture 4 shows Carl and Allan returning one of the barriers back to the storage area. Thank you both - the playground looks so much better now. 

ANOTHER LARGE FALLEN TREE BRANCH 

Last week we had to tidy up a very large branch which had fallen from a tree near to Sandhurst Road and today we had to clear another large branch which had fallen from a tree near the volunteer's shelter.

Picture 5 shows Murray cutting up and removing the fallen branch. Thank you Murray - great job. 

IMPROVING THE INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THE OWL CARVING BY THE WILMSLOW ROAD ENTRANCE 

This morning Gary and Carl N,  continued the work started by the 'heavy gang' last week,  by adding woodchip to the base around the owl carving.

Picture 6 shows Gary and Carl in the gloom of a rainy morning filling their barrows with woodchip. Thank you guys - this has successfully completed a great next stage in this project. 

FRIDAY EVENING VANDALISM CONTINUES IN DIDSBURY PARK

Following the incident the Friday before last when the picnic bench was set on fire, vandalism took place again last Friday when  the metal net supports on one of the goal posts were snapped off and the nets pulled down. We are currently investigating if the net supports can be re-welded but if not we will have to order new supports at a cost of £95.

Picture 7 shows Gary and Carl N repairing the goal nets as best they can without the net supports. Well done Gary and Carl! Thank you.

SMARTENING UP THE SENSORY GARDEN

For the last few weeks Robin has been undertaking an amazing job tidying up the rear of the sensory garden. This much neglected area has received Robin's undivided attention and today it was time to add the finishing touches. Today Robin reinstalled the missing edging with some spare Victorian edging tiles which we had in storage.

Picture 8 shows Robin posing alongside the new tiles which had been placed in their final resting positions prior to being bedded in. Thank you Robin - your work has transformed this area. 

WILD FLOWER MEADOW 

I am pleased to report that Allan completed the strimming of the wild flower meadow today. This has been a mammoth task to strim this very large area and has also involved Allan working during the week to make sure we have finally cut back all this growth by today. The cut area will now be left fallow in order to allow any seeds to drop. This has been a much improved activity this year, compared to last year when we blew up the engine of the sit on lawn mower trying to do the same job. A huge thank you to Allan and his strimmer! Fabulous job!     

GILLBROOK ROAD ENTRANCE

Once again we are very grateful to all the work Brenda undertook this morning to tidy up the paths around the Gillbrook entrance. This was another great piece of work. Thank you Brenda. 

THANK YOU LUCY AND SONIA

With both Sonia and myself a bit incapacitated with knee issues, it was Lucy to the rescue today as she made sure that all was sorted and shipshape in the volunteers shelter. Picture 9 shows Lucy tidying away one of the water bowsers as we neared finish time. Thank you Lucy. 

Thank you also to Sonia who not only managed the coffee / tea orders at the break time but also managed the distribution of the plants as well. Great job as ever Sonia - thank you.

CURRY NIGHT REMINDER

Just a reminder that our curry night this year is being held on Thursday 21st November at the Sangam Didsbury. It coincides with our 10 year anniversary of volunteering in Didsbury Park. If you have not done so already, can you please let me know if you would like to attend? 

GET WELL SOON GILL N

Finally on behalf of all of us I would like to send our best wishes to Gill N who is ill and could not attend today. Get well soon Gill..