January Working Weekend Photos

January 24th, 25th, 26th

And yet more photos! This selection from Pete Snashall.

1.Unclipping fence wires prior to removing posts. Some 65 posts were removed from the fence lines on the up-side (Killington Lane end) of Bridge 67. These were all replaced with steel droppers, freeing the posts for use replacing the now life expired wooden posts on the fences on the down side (towards Woody Bay) of Bridge 67.

2.The digger makes light work of pulling the posts out. These are then loaded on the works train for transporting to their new location.

3. The posts are placed adjacent to the fence line. With the posts in place the fence wire is transferred to the concrete posts and the wooden posts are then removed.

4. Despite the awful weather conditions spirits remained high....

5. ....Aided in no small part by the wonderful lunches provided by L&B catering Supremo Judy Williams.

6. The "new" fence - SR Style. Over the weekend approximately half a mile of fencing was converted to post and dropper configuration and a third of a mile of wooden posts were replaced with concrete. With the wooden posts replaced this fence will now be good for many years to come.

A huge thank you to all who turned out in what can only be described as "challenging" conditions. Once again the efforts of our volunteers have resulted in a professional job of which they can be justifiably proud.

Our next Working Weekend is planned for the 28th-30th March. The current intention is to continue the re-fencing work at Woody Bay, replacing the last section of wooden posts. If the progress made this weekend is anything to go by this will not take all weekend so it is likely we will change location to the former Hotel site at Blackmoor with the intention of undertaking further clearance to assist our planning for it's future use.

Cheers!

Pete Snashall

More photos, this time by Julian Palmer:

1. Lunch in the marquee on Saturday, when it felt like the wind was about to blow everything away!

2. A group lifting and replacing fence posts ...

3. ... while another group of industrious fencers, carry out ongoing growth removal as well 

Something we're unable to portray in these images is the near gale-force wind and occasional "pressure washer" showers! The wonderful meals provided by Judy were hugely appreciated by all.

A few photos taken by Tony Nicholson on Saturday.

1. Volunteers replacing the fence posts above Bridge 67 on Saturday morning...

2. ...while others cut back trees overhanging the line. Note the concrete posts in the foreground awaiting installation.

3. Ever-smiling Lindsay Palmer clears gorse away from the line.

The first working weekend of 2014 is now upon us. We are continuing removing concrete fence posts from the line below bridge 67 and replacing them with steel droppers. The posts will then be used to replace the life-expired timber posts on the lineside above Bridge 67. The complete line will then be fenced in the SR style.

4. Similar fencing work being carried out at the last working weekend, in November.

If there are sufficient volunteers, there's also some scrub that needs clearing from the lineside, and pathways in the woodland behind the down platform that require attention.

Catering Manager Judy Williams will be providing a hot lunch on Saturday and Sunday - hot drinks will be provided on all three days.

Please let us know if you are coming as this will assist us with planning the work and also Judy with the catering arrangements.

Contact Pete Snashall (07541083336) should you require more information or to tell us you are coming.