Wendover Arm Trust Working Party News, issue 121, June 2017
May and June Working Parties
During these working parties work concentrated on profiling, laying the Bentonite lining and hollow concrete blocks on both banks.
On the Saturday and Sunday following the June working party BITM set to laying the high density concrete blocks and coir rolls. This operation was very successful and significantly advanced bank lining. Photos courtesy Chris Sargeant, Mike Gribble & Sandra Ming.
In conclusion I must express the Trust’s appreciation for the visit by BITM. Their effort has really given our re-lining work a magnificent boost. Well done BITM.
July and August Working Parties
A concentrated effort is now required to place spoil on both banks and lay the Bentonite on the bed with spoil covering where BITM completed the blocking. This will probably take most of these two working parties after which more re-lining will continue.
Operation Floodwatch
In the December newsletter last year I mentioned that CRT had revived the idea of gradually raising stop planks at Drayton Beauchamp Bridge so as to monitor the effect of raised water level back to Wendover; a proposal made by WAT in 2008 but vetoed by BW in case they were accused of flooding adjacent land.
CRT now wish to pursue this project but have asked WAT if they can assist with manpower to help them.
WAT have agreed and are now looking for a volunteer to co-ordinate our volunteers in assisting CRT. If you are willing to take this task on please get in touch with me, Roger Leishman, as soon as possible.
Restoration Finances
As you probably know WAT are currently committed to contributing over £300,000 to our joint lottery bid with CRT which is moving towards Stage 2 submission – this money is ring fenced for that purpose. A decision as to whether we get lottery support is likely to be made by about June 2018.
In the light of this our available funds for restoration work would be very limited after this year. However I am pleased to inform you that WAT have just received an interim legacy payment of £150,000 from the estate of a member in Tring which may be followed by a further sum in due course.
This will greatly ease WAT finances and our ability to fund ongoing works.
September Open Day Sunday September 3rd
As the Old Rectory at Drayton Beauchamp was up for sale there was concern as to whether a new owner would let the WAT use the field for car parking.
I understand that the new owner is agreeable to WAT using the field for car parking so all is well for September.
Whitehouses
We still await details from CRT for their proposal for a pseudo weir and wing walls to the wharf wall at Whitehouses. Once this is to hand it is hoped that the Trust will be able to complete the higher level pipe capping in front of the wharf wall.
Tidy Friday
John Reynolds and his team continue with their good work of vegetation control. See schedule below for dates.
We are grateful to David Page who has offered some young saplings for planting this Autumn.
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.