"Habitat Management" at Gate Bridge Watermill: 28-07-2015

The sound of rain hammering on the velux window when I awoke this morning and the advice from Paul to "bring wellies if you have them, and waterproofs, as rain is forecast" did nothing to boost my enthusiasm for today's task, which he informed us was to be "Habitat Management" (Himalayan balsam pulling to you and me) at Gate Bridge Watermill. However, as the venue was going to be an interesting one, and there was a promise of tea and cake from the mill owners, I donned the necessary protective gear and sallied forth to join 10 other stout hearted NCVs for a day of weed removal. The mill is a historic building near Galphay - a site where we have worked before (albeit in better weather!) Click here   to visit a website for some further information.

The NCVs stand and listen respectfully whilst Anita tells one of the group off.

The rain had all but stopped by the time we were ready to start and everyone got busy doing the usual job of pulling up the balsam, putting it into a heap and then stamping on it. 

Work begins - the eradication of a million weeds 
begins with a single pull.

Terry has a sly sit down on the job hoping nobody 
will notice him hiding behind the vegetation.

The task was made slightly more challenging by the fact that a lot of the balsam was growing along the banks of both a fast flowing river and a quieter stream that runs parallel to it. Waders had to be worn . This is an item of clothing that still gives me nightmares after my escapade in March of this year when willow spiling at Missies farm (click here to check on this if you are interested.)

Waders on my bottom half but what about my top?

Can you guess who is putting on these waders?

Bonus point if you thought Alistair and Phil! 

New NCV Nick threw himself into the task with gusto.

There were many NCVs that had to undertake 'extreme de-balsamification' - i.e. pulling in the most challenging of circumstances:

Phil had to clear below the bridge

Ros E. faced her demons and roped up to be dangled 

from a great height in order to clear the vertical sections of river bank.

Colin gives Ros E. diving advice.

Coffee (apple?) time allows Osian to check his messages.

Lunch was eaten in the garden and the owners kindly provided us with a wonderful selection of delicious cakes. What a treat! We were rather loath to return to work but eventually got round to it. I was glad to have had the foresight to have brought a spare pair of dry working gloves for the afternoon shift.

 The NCVs enjoy their lunch break...

...and Phil plays the part of Jeeves.

After lunch the rains came down and the floods came up but the NCVs carried on regardless. 

 Alistair got going behind the mill....

....and did a grand job.

Up by the weir the battle was being won.

By 2:30 pm we'd had enough of the rain trickling down our collars and called it a day. We'd almost cleared one side of the river but I'm afraid there was plenty more on the opposite bank. A return trip is needed!

Ros E.