11 NCVs arrived at the Barn on a humid morning where we were joined by Angela and 3 new Heritage Skills students – James, Tom and Harry. Peter Lambert and Giovanni, Peter’s National Park colleague, then arrived to take the tools up to Fishpond Wood for us. And there was even more good news – the gravel for the paths we needed to surface had been delivered close to the work area and a power barrow was available to take it the remaining distance! So were we actually needed at all?
The answer became obvious when the team arrived at the pond – a 16 tonne pile of gravel sat waiting to be shifted. While James S. briefed the new students about life as an NCV at the Barn, the real workers got stuck into the task. Jan received instruction on power barrow operation and quickly got into supply role (7.5 minutes a trip).
Stirling Moss takes the bridge at a frightening speed.
The rest of the team split in two – some working above the bridge where Giovanni had cut a shallow ‘tray’ for the new path with a digger, while others worked to raise wet areas of the path along the pond side.
The digger made short work of preparing a new path bed.
The students arrived for coffee time on the bank. Afterwards they made a start on finishing revetment at the pond corner and passed their first practical test with flying colours (a very neat job and no injuries!).
Our new group of students get stuck in like real pros.
Great job lads!
After lunch all joined in spreading, raking and wheel barrowing gravel (just so Jan didn’t feel too alone in his task). The time flew by, the gravel went down, the shovellers spread it, and the rakers evened it all up. Then for the final trick – the wacker plate to compact the path and finish the job – Voila!
Lunch in the shade of the Koolibar tree.
Phil maintains a watching brief to ensure standards didn't slip.
Everyone grabs a rake to smooooth out the path.
This happy whacker whacks his way along
getting rid of any lumps and bumps.
By the day’s end the 16 tonnes pile had vanished. Such a good day’s work that the wood’s owner Peter Brambleby couldn’t resist a celebratory dip into the pond.
Peter shows off his diving prowess. Gold medal perhaps?
James
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