DRAMATIC SCENES IN DIDSBURY PARK

This year we have been privileged to witness nature providing us with two very dramatic and contrasting views of Didsbury Park. The first occurred in February when a stunning sunset created the impression that the trees in the park were on fire (see picture 1) and the latest event happened only four days ago on Thursday night last week when we were treated to a wonderful show of the northern lights. (Aurora Borealis). Picture 2 captures this magical scene.

What next????

TODAY

By contrast, the natural drama in the park today consisted of a very welcome morning of blue skies and sunshine, which in turn encouraged a great turnout of 48 volunteers. Thanks to support from Allan, Sonia and Gill N, we were also able to welcome an early start (and late finish) from the hard working team of 17 volunteers from Lendlease.

In addition we had three other new faces today. Firstly we had a new regular local volunteer called Tahir who joined us today for the first time, as did 2 other volunteers from business, Helen from Carrier and Peter from First Central Insurance. Everybody was made very welcome. 

LENDLEASE VOLUNTEERS UNDERTAKE TWO KICK FENCE PROJECTS

Following on from their successful installation of 'kick fencing' for us on two previous visits, we continued to take advantage of the Lendlease expertise today when they undertook two further kick fence installation projects.

Picture 3 shows about half the Lendlease volunteers working on completing the run of kick fencing down to the bowls hut. Picture 4 shows most of the rest of the Lendlease team working on the Poppy Path to create a fenced off section around the wreath laying area. Both projects were successfully completed by the end of the morning. This was an excellent piece of work - thank you Lendlease.  

WILD FLOWER MEADOW - THE RESCUE CONTINUES

The work to scratch out the surface of the wild flower meadow and to carefully sow yellow rattle seeds among the meadow grass was continued today with a large team of volunteers under Kevin O's supervision.

Picture 5 shows the team (from left to right) of Tamir, Kevin, Helen, Peter, Tristan, John, Christine and Julian all very busy on the meadow. Whilst it may look like some people are holding mugs of coffee, in fact, these are convenient pots for holding the seeds.

Kevin reported that great progress was made in the sowing of the yellow rattle seeds and the plan is that next week there will be a final weed and tidy up before sowing some wild flower seeds. This was a great job today by a very hard working team - thank you!!    

IMPROVING THE PATH TO WILMSLOW ROAD

We had another large team focusing on weeding & tidying up the flower beds along the path to the Wilmslow Road gate today.

Picture 6 shows the team in action. From left to right, Gill N can be seen on her way back from filling up the dog bag dispenser near the gate, Kevin C is wheeling the wheelbarrow full of green waste, Debbie, Anne and Robin are in the background and Wendy is in the foreground pruning the shrub. Unfortunately Myro, who was also working with this team, is not in this picture as she was transporting the green waste to the skip. 

Further down the path, picture 7 shows Grace and Sonia busy weeding the area around the gate itself. Later in the morning sadly Grace became unwell - we all wish you a speedy recovery Grace! 

Later on in the morning, when they had finished their work on the kick fencing, some of the team from Lendlease swept all the leaves along the whole path. This was the 'icing on the cake'. As a result of all the work done by everybody on this path this morning it now looks so much lighter, better maintained and a pleasure to walk along. Thank you to everybody who worked on it today!

PERIWINKLE 

Once again this week the Friends of Didsbury Park rallied to the Didsbury in Bloom cause and a small team of Jude, Gill B and Carl M went to the village with wheelbarrows and collected all the periwinkle out of the railing planters near the pedestrian crossing.

Picture 8 shows Gill and Carl returning with two very full wheelbarrows. Following an amicable discussion between Ilma and Jude (see picture 9) it was agreed that the periwinkle should be planted in the flowerbed next to the volunteers shelter. Thank you Jude, Gill, Carl and Ilma. This was a very worthwhile exercise which will add further colour to the park.  

THE LEAVES HAVE ARRIVED

I think it is fair to say that this year's leaves have now truly arrived!! Consequently today we did a huge amount of work right across the park to remove as many leaves as possible, especially on the footpaths where they can become dangerous when wet. Our priority was to make the paths as safe as possible. There were many volunteers involved in clearing up the leaves today  including Brenda, Allan, Tamir, Helen and Peter, most of the Lendlease team and our two heavy gang members Steve and Gary.

Many pictures were taken of people clearing leaves today but the one which made the cut was Picture 10 showing Steve and Gary with wheelbarrows containing old plastic bags full of leaves. The use of plastic bags is part of an experiment to speed up the decomposition process to produce some good quality mulch. Fingers crossed. 🤞 A huge thank you to everyone who helped clear leaves today. 

ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK

• It was great to see Bettina volunteering again with us today and championing the much needed activity of applying preservative to the kick fencing. Today Bettina was working on the kick fencing leading to the Poppy Path. This was a super job - thank you Bettina!

• Julie and Lucy continued to work on weeding and maintenance of the Flower Walk. Thank you Julie and Lucy.

• Denise and Louise continued to tidy up the rose beds which are looking particularly attractive at the moment. Thank you Denise and Louise  

• Thanks as ever to Gill N and the cafe team for organising our large numbers at the coffee break so smoothly and to Gill for refilling all the dog bag dispensers at each of our gates. 

BEE IN THE LOOP

I have been asked by Craig our very supportive PCSO, if I will help promote the free community messaging service from Greater Manchester Police. I have signed up for it and found out some positive results already about shoplifting arrests in the village.

Here is the link  https://www.beeintheloop.co.uk/

This is what Craig says about it:

Welcome to Bee in the Loop

Stay connected and informed with Bee in the Loop, the free community messaging service from Greater Manchester Police.

Designed to strengthen our partnership with you, Bee in the Loop offers a simple and convenient way to keep up to date with what’s happening in your area. Whether it's crime updates, local incidents, or information from your neighbourhood police officers, you choose what matters most to you.

Join now to receive free tailored alerts directly to your inbox, keeping you informed and involved in making your community a better place. Don't miss out - sign up today!

REMINDERS

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING UPCOMING EVENTS: 

SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER: THE BIG LEAF CLEAR UP 

Didsbury Park 10am to 1300. All members of the public are welcome especially families. I guarantee that we will have lots of leaves this year. Please spread the word. RSPB will also have a gazebo and stand and they will be promoting information about wildlife and Didsbury Park. It should be interesting.  

SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER: POPPY PATH - ACT OF REMEMBRANCE 

On the Poppy Path - starts promptly with the Last Post played by the bugler at 11am. Please arrive by 10:50. Teas and coffees provided afterwards in the Didsbury Park cafe.

THURSDAY 21ST NOVEMBER: CURRY NIGHT SOCIAL 

Sangam Didsbury at 7pm - the numbers of people now wanting to attend has grown above 30. It will be another great night. Please do let me know if you would like to attend either singly or with a partner.

Finally thank you once again for your continued amazing support.