TODAY

It was really encouraging to see such a large contingent of 45 volunteers working in the park in the mainly dry and occasionally sunny weather this morning. Our regular numbers were supplemented by 2 returning and 2 new volunteers from NatWest Bank, and a new local volunteer Aedemar. As the local primary schools are still on Easter holidays it was also a pleasure to welcome Joanna and young Alexander, Neesha and young Harry, and Lorna and young Luke. Everybody was made very welcome. 

FIRST ARRIVAL

Geoff was first to arrive in the park this morning after Allan & I had opened up the volunteer's shelter ready for action. Geoff came to deliver our newly overhauled and repainted pallet truck which he had thoroughly refurbished for us. I am pleased to say that we put it to immediate use as the three of us moved the newly delivered pallet, containing bags of concrete mix, into storage in the volunteers shelter. Thank you Geoff - this is a great new piece of equipment. 

THE NEXT ARRIVAL

Shortly afterwards young Alfie arrived with his Nana and Grandad and a small oak tree. The tree had been nurtured by his Nana from a small acorn. With help from Carl M and Aedemar the sapling was planted in the woodland / spring flower area of the park.

Picture 1 shows Alfie and Nana standing behind the newly planted tree just after it had been placed in the hole. I must admit that throughout this planting process Alfie was absolutely fascinated by the number of large worms we had uncovered! Thank you everyone - this was a good thing to do! 

PROGRESS ON THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW BENCH

We continued to make good progress on the installation of the hardstanding for the new bench. A large team of Murray, Adrian, Carl N, Suborno, Steve and Gary worked really hard to complete the excavation of the area where the hardstanding for the new bench will be set. The plan next week is to install the concrete edging. Well done guys.

WEEDS, WEEDS AND MORE WEEDS 

It seems that no matter who you talk to at the moment, if they are involved in any way with horticulture, then they are facing the same challenge of an abundant growth of weeds.

The consistent wet weather seems to create ideal growing conditions. So today, with such a good turnout of volunteers, we tried to blitz one of our worst affected areas i.e. along the path from the Wilmslow Road gate. With our army of: four volunteers from NatWest (see picture 2);   Lis, Wendy and Allan (see picture 3);   Lorna, Luke, Neesha, Harry, and Tristan (see picture 4); Peter, Anne, Joyce and Carl M (see picture 5); and Gill B and Leslie (not in any pictures), we made a tremendous impact upon this whole area of the park. Thank you to everyone! This was an excellent job - well done.

Picture 6 shows the team of Ilma, Aedemar, Diane and Kevin also doing lots of weeding but this time along the new wall section of the Flower Walk where they were also assisted by Julie D and Jude. Thank you all

At the other end of the Flower Walk, Roger and Greg, focussed on weeding the flower bed running parallel with Sandhurst Road. Thank you guys.

So overall today we had at least 26 volunteers working incredibly hard trying to stop the tide of weeds from taking over our flower beds. It was a huge task which deserves a huge thank you.  Well done everyone.

ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN WEEDING?

There were not many other activities other than weeding (or bench installation) today - but what we did was still just as important. These activities included the following:

• Brenda and David worked on tidying the area around the Gillbrook Road entrance - Thank you both and great to see that you felt well enough to join us today David! 

• Alan did a very thorough job throughout the morning, working on the epicormic growth on the large trees near the children's playground. Thank you once again for your expertise in this area Alan.

• Thank you also to Gill N who not only managed the huge drinks order at break time but also managed to re-organise the posters which had become displaced in the lecterns around the park. Thank you Gill - they look so much better now. 

• John continued to prepare sections of the Poppy Path ready for sowing. Thank you John  

• Thanks also to Tony from MCC who has begun repairing the broken path from the Wilmslow Road entrance (see picture 7).  

• And last but not least, I would like to say a big thank you to Joanna and young Alexander who did a thorough litter pick right across the park but especially in the children's playgound. Well done!

Finally thank you all once again for your fantastic support.