LAST WEEK - THURSDAY MORNING

There are not many advantages associated with early morning dog walks in winter but last Thursday, when we were looking after our grandchildren's dog, was the exception. To be in Didsbury Park on a cold morning  as the dawn was breaking was an amazing treat.  Pictures 1 and 2 are just 2 examples of the dramatic views of the park looking splendid as the sun rose at about 7:15am.  

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

LAST WEEK - THE PATH CLEARING CAMPAIGN 

I would also like to make a special mention of the commitment shown by one of our volunteers to keep all the paths in the park safe and clear of leaves all last week.  Thanks must go to Allan who worked in the park virtually everyday with his hand held leaf blower to make sure that the latest leaf fall was soon cleared away from the paths before they could become slippy and dangerous. Thank you Allan this was a great job.

LAST WEEK - WEDNESDAY MEETING WITH THE MCC ARBOR TEAM

On Wednesday last week Joyce (who is taking the lead for us on all matters tree related) met up in the park with Noel and Felix from the MCC Arbor team and myself, to review some of the tree issues in the park. We had a very productive meeting and agreed some tree related actions for working together to improve the parks tree population. Thank you to the  MCC team. 

TODAY

As can be seen from most of today's pictures, it was a pretty wet occasion in the park this morning. Nevertheless we still had a good turnout of 29 hardy volunteers. Our volunteers this morning included Rachel, Julie and Basia from Carrier Ltd and a new volunteer James. We also had visits from Cathy Stopes and Jean Johnston from the Didsbury People Place Planet group who have been working with us on the improving the signage around the drinking water tap.

It was also great to see Debbie back with us again and planting tulips in the rockery (see picture 3) and Grace who did a solo job (see picture 4) refilling all the dog bag dispensers located at every entrance to the park. Everybody was made very welcome. 

TODAY - IT WAS ALL ABOUT BULBS!!

I am sure most volunteers were delighted today to finally finish off planting most of this years allocation of 25,000 spring bulbs.  This is an amazing achievement and I am sure it will be even more amazing when we see all these beautiful new flowers blooming in the spring. 

Picture 5 shows the team of Lorna, Basia, James, Rachel, Julie, Anne and Tristan planting the last of the large daffodils in the flower bed next to the DNC centre. This team were then joined by John and went on to plant several thousand bluebell bulbs in the woodland area. This was a fabulous effort - thank you all.

Picture 6 shows Christine in the rain, planting tulip bulbs around the base of a small rowan tree. Thank you Christine.. 

TODAY - IT WAS ALSO ABOUT TIDYING UP THE DIE BACK PLANTS

Picture 7 shows Sonia, tidying up the flower bed behind Buddy and Lucy prior to planting some more tulip bulbs. Thank you Sonia.

Picture 8 shows Diane, Julie, Kevin and Lucy also tidying away the die-back plants on the new section of the Flower Walk prior to composting them. This team was later joined by Ilma. Thank you all - This was a great job in the rain! 

TODAY - NOT TO FORGET THE PATHS AND THE LEAVES

Picture 9 shows Brenda posing for a picture, as she collects her sweeping brush from the volunteers shelter, before once again making sure that the paths around the Gillbrook Road entrance are kept clean and safe. Thank you Brenda.

Thanks also to a totally dedicated effort from Steve, later assisted by James and then later again helped by Allan and myself with leaf blowers, we were able to remove the leaves from a large grassed area alongside the Gillbrook Road to Sandhurst Road path.  The large leaf fall in this area in previous years has inhibited the grass growth in this area so hopefully this coming year the grass will return again. Thank you all - this made a huge improvement to the look of the park.

TODAY - THE HEAVY GANG FINISH OFF ANCHORING THE NEW BENCH 

Picture 10 shows today's heavy gang members Carl N, Murray and Gary as they concrete in the anchors on the front legs of the new bench. The re-installation of this bench is now complete and it is firmly located in place. This is a great job guys - thank you.  

TODAY - ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK

• As usual, when Aristhote arrived this morning from Bridge College, with his job coach Leesha, he began by doing a thorough litter pick across the park. However after coffee I am delighted to report that Aristhote felt confident enough to try a new task of planting some tulip bulbs  This was a great step forward - we are all proud of you Aristhote - well done!

• Thank you also to Bettina for sorting out a few membership database questions for us this morning.

LOOKING AHEAD - MULLED WINE AND MINCE PIES

Next Monday will be our last day of volunteering before Christmas. As is traditional I will be providing hot mulled wine and mince pies at our coffee break, as we say goodbye to another successful year of volunteering in Didsbury Park. So please do come along, if you can make it,  even if it is just for the 11am get together. As is also traditional we will be finishing early shortly after our coffee break. 

LOOKING AHEAD - CHRISTMAS BREAK

We will not be having Didsbury Park volunteering sessions on the following Mondays:

• Monday 16th December

• Monday 23rd  December 

• Monday 30th December

LOOKING AHEAD - JANUARY 2025 RESTART

We will recommence volunteering in the New Year at 9:30am on Monday 6th January 2025

Thank you once again for your amazing support.