Easter Working Weekend Report

posted by Pete Snashall on Sun, 07/04/2013 - 01:22

Firstly a huge thank you to all who turned out to make this a hugely successful weekend. Over the course of the three days we were joined by some 30 volunteers, who between them clocked up in excess of 360 hours of hard graft. That's in addition to the flying start made by the Thursday Gang. Well done all!

It was pleasing to note the number of new faces we were able to welcome this weekend. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Friday morning saw rapid progress on all fronts. By the end of the day the fence line had been cleared with remaining undergrowth burnt, all old wire carefully removed and as per what is now our standard practice for original L&B fence runs, every third post was rotated with the intermediates removed for future use. Martyn once again made good use of the Auger planting a new straining post at the Parracombe end of the fence run.

By the end of Saturday all 8 wires (120m each) had been strung, tensioned and droppers fitted. The new drainage system was completed with concrete catchpits installed at the junctions. Additionally, to assist the operation of the new drains and in cooperation with the landowner we undertook some clearance and ditching work on the far side of the field from our trackbed.

On Sunday morning the decision was taken to split the gang. With only the sheep netting remaining to be attached to the new fence and bonfires to be tidied a few stayed behind whilst the bulk of the gang set off on the ½ mile walk to Holwell Wood. They were soon joined by the fencing gang in time for lunch. We all spent an enjoyable afternoon clearing the trackbed through the woods. We were pleasantly surprised how delightful this section of the Railway must have been and even after nearly 80 years the ballast formation was clearly discernible.

All in all a splendid weekend's work.

Our next Winter Working Weekend is planned for the 22nd - 24th November.

Pete Snashall

1. Chris Carder guides the new straining post into place.

2. Jim McFarlane, Richard Rider, John Villiers, Pete Freeman and Pete Colley clear old wire from the fence run.

3. Maurice Hartnell and Martin Kemp applying finishing touches to new drains.

4. Jim McFarlane, Steve Orchard, Phillip Beard, Rob Ford and David and Marcus Allen tend the fires.

5. Peter Colley and John Berry attach the new wires...

6. ...as Maurice Hartnell and Malcolm Hector pay out the wire.

7. Steve Orchard and Phillip Beard take a well earned breather!

8. Pete Snashall, John Berry, Maurice Hartnell and Malcolm Hector fitting droppers.

9. Completed fencing and newly installed catchpits.

10. Andy and Rosa Foster and Julia Snashall fit sheep netting to complete the new fence.

11. Holwell Wood - some of the gang take lunch on the trackbed...
11. Holwell Wood - some of the gang take lunch on the trackbed...

12. ...whilst others take theirs above the cutting.
12. ...whilst others take theirs above the cutting.

13. Jim McFarlane, John Villiers, Francis Turner and Julia Snashall in Holwell cutting.
13. Jim McFarlane, John Villiers, Francis Turner and Julia Snashall in Holwell cutting.

14. Remains of former occupation crossing.
14. Remains of former occupation crossing.

15. Clearing the approach to Parracombe Bank.
15. Clearing the approach to Parracombe Bank.

16. The cleared trackbed in Holwell Cutting - close to Parracombe Bank but looking south towards Blackmoor.
16. The cleared trackbed in Holwell Cutting - close to Parracombe Bank but looking south towards Blackmoor.