Wendover Arm Trust Working Party News – Issue 116
An apology
I must apologise for this rather brief newsletter but I have been having problems recently; firstly I am suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome that means protracted use of the computer mouse and keyboard are impossible and to make matters worse, whilst cruising with our narrowboat, Mary Beth, earlier this month I suffered a severe bout of vertigo and, although rescued home by the family, I am still suffering – thought to be due to the side effects of a blood pressure pill I was taking.
Looking back at the first issues of this newsletter I see that the earlier editions were on two sides of an A4 sheet so it is back to square one!
July and August Working Parties
At the July working party great progress was made with pipe capping that is now less than 40 metres from Bridge 4.
In August most of the time was spent moving spoil, cutting Bentomat ready for re-commencing Stage 3 lining and clearing vegetation from the end of the Stage 3 lining at Bridge 4A.
September and October Working Parties
It is proposed to re-commence lining from Bridge 4A towards Whitehouses, not only to take advantage of the weather at present but to have lining work in progress for the Open Day on Sunday September 4th.
It is also hoped to complete the pipe capping up to the end of the wing walls of Bridge 4. The pipe capping through the bridge will await re-lining up to this point.
Vegetation Control
In July John Reynolds organised a series of dates for a team of volunteers to undertake the control of vegetation in Phases I and II, excluding of course the towpath that it is the responsibility of CRT to keep clear. I am pleased to say that John and his crew have already started the good work and I have included their future work dates in the working party diary.
Open Day Sunday 4th September 2016
The Open Day will be held at St.Mary’s Church, Drayton Beauchamp as usual with organised parties visiting the restoration work in progress at Bridge 4A.
Because of my illness, Margaret is a full time ‘nurse’ so has had to hand the reins for the tea stall over to Jo Orth. Many thanks to Jo and those helping her. Jo will welcome any cake contributions for the stall. Please ring her on 01494 786868.
Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire
We will be welcoming the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Lady Verulam, who is coming to see our restoration volunteers at work on Tuesday 6th September.
This will be the second visit to us by a Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. Sir Simon Bowes Lyon visited us in 2006 and saw the completed Phase I and the very early stages of Phase II in progress.
Visit by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
On Friday 29th September 2016 the representative of the HLF who will be responsible for our project (if our bid passes all the hurdles) is visiting the restoration to learn what it is all about.
General Notes
We operate as a self-supervising group under CRT and all volunteers receive and sign for the Trust’s Restoration Handbook that includes full Health and Safety requirements for the restoration works.
The handbook is the property of the Trust; if you leave the working parties for any reason, please return your Handbook to either Ray Orth or myself.
Hard hats for use at all times and high visibility jackets to be worn on sites with mobile plant in use are kept in the store at Tringford and must be drawn/returned there.
One first aid kit is kept in the store and one in the Nissan Cabstar and each qualified first-aider will have their own kit with him/her when on site.
Also available in the store at Tringford are ear defenders and goggles that must be worn when using strimmers, angle grinders, concrete breakers and the like. CRT will supply hard hats, gloves and footwear with reinforced toecaps on request.
We normally work from 9am to 5pm (or dark if earlier!). There are breaks for morning tea/coffee, packed lunch and afternoon tea/coffee. We take our own food and drink.