TODAY 

Today was the start of half term for the Didsbury Primary Schools and as a result our volunteer numbers (total 35) were boosted by some additional junior volunteers. We were pleased to welcome Alexander and Sebastian (and father Dario), Luke (and mother Lorna), and Harry (and mother Neesha) who all made a great contribution to this morning's work.In addition we also welcomed Victoria back for the second time and Roy and Angela, our visiting tree experts - but more of this later! We were also delighted to meet Caitlin, our new MCC Park Ranger, who was introduced to us by Charlie Hill. Everybody was made very welcome.

Especial thanks today must also go to Grace who made a huge number of sponge cakes for our enjoyment at the coffee break - they were absolutely delicious Grace - thank you! 

HEAVY GANG 

Despite being somewhat depleted in numbers today, the heavy gang consisting of Richard and Carl N, made some great progress laying about half of the edging slabs around the hard standing area for the new bench. Picture 1 shows Richard and Carl posing for a photograph with Dario, Sebastion and Alexander. Following this photograph the team then applied themselves to the challenge of safely removing two large dead branches which were balanced precariously in a large tree. Fantastic work everyone!

PAINTING THE SANDHURST ROAD PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE   

Following last weeks successful cleaning of the gate and railings at the Sandhurst Road pedestrian entrance, the team of Sandra, Joyce and Carl M carried on, this week, to apply a coat of Hammerite quick drying paint.

Picture 2 shows Carl, Sandra and Joyce in action painting the railings. Although there is a part of this large entrance still to be completed - the improvement in this gate area is amazing. Thank you all! 

WEEDING AND PRUNING HEDGES ON THE WILDFLOWER MEADOW

Picture 3 shows a large team of volunteers pruning the hedge and weeding beneath the hedges on the wild flower meadow area. From right to left in this picture are Jude, Bettina, Lis, Wendy, Grace and hidden behind Grace is Gill B. This large team was also supplemented by Lorna, Luke and Julie D. With so much effort going into this activity it was not surprising that a thorough job was performed in record time. Thank you everyone. This was a great piece of work.

ADDITIONAL WOODCHIP FOR THE WOODCHIP PATH TO THE CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND

Thanks to some sterling work by Tristan, we were able to rake together some additional woodchip from our sparse supplies to enable Dario, Alexander, Sebastian, Neesha and Harry to wheelbarrow many loads of woodchip and improve the existing path in the most needed areas. Thank you all this was a great piece of work. 

PATH EDGES

Once the supply of woodchip was all used up, the team switched their attention to improving the path edgings. Picture 4 shows one of the many problem areas around the park where the heavy rain has caused the edges of the grassed areas to turn to mud (especially if overridden by vehicles). Dario, Alexander, Sebastian, Neesha and Harry worked on the edges of the path near the Sandhurst Road double gate, Tristan worked on the path edges near the roundabout. Allan worked on the paths near the children's playground, and Brenda and David worked on the areas near the Gillbrook Road entrance. Picture 5 shows David returning to the Gillbrook Road area after emptying his wheelbarrow in the green waste skip.

ROCKERY

It is that time of year when the young weeds and the spring bulbs are starting to appear together. We therefore have the difficult task of removing one whilst not damaging the other. Today the small team of Ilma, Lucy and Julie D started to carefully tackle the weeding of the rockery.  Other areas to follow soon. Thank you.

POPPY PATH 

Robin continued his work on the Poppy Path today assisted mainly by Victoria. The main focus of the work on the path was the removal of ivy from the trees on the path. Picture 6 shows Victoria, Robin and Allan (holding the ladder), loaded up ready to start the work. Everybody was pleased at the amazing progress which was achieved and Robin wanted a special mention for the exceptionally hard work undertaken by Victoria. Thank you both - a truly impressive piece of work!

TREE INFORMATION PROJECT

Today was the first stage of our new Tree Information Initiative led by Joyce and supported by David. The objective of this project is to create and then share information about our trees in the park with our volunteers and park visitors. This initial stage involves the collection of accurate identification data about our existing selection of trees. Consequently today Joyce arranged for two tree experts, Roy and Angela, to accompany her and David on a study of the trees in the park.

Picture 7 shows  from left to right, David,  Angela, Joyce (holding a map of the park, on which to collect data) and Roy, all ready to set off on their tour of the park. Thank you all - this will be a great piece of work when it is finished.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

It is always great, at the end of the volunteering session to have some help to pack all the equipment away. Today we had some fanatastic help form young Luke who can be seen in picture 8 giving us the thumbs up sign to indicate that all the wheelbarrows are safely stored. Thank you Luke (and Allan and Tristan). 

AGM on 4th March 2024

The draft agenda and papers for the AGM on 4th March have now been distributed. As far as I am aware all members should have received this information but if you are a member of the Friends of Didsbury Park and have not received any information will you kindly let me know and it will be supplied by return. 

Finally once again thank you for your amazing support.