Thursday 29/8/24 Eddie loaded up more Montbretia plants which he donated, as well as the brushcutter/strimmer and signs which go along the river bank, plus two signposts with concrete bases which we were given and a white wooden board which we’ll use for displays at the open days, he took them to the mill and unloaded everything.
There were five of us at the mill today preparing for the open days. Eddie tightened up screws holding the notice boards on the posts as they were wobbly, then he sharpened a stake with an axe to use as another sign post, as we will have five signs along the track at our open days with information to make visitor’s walks more interesting.
I rode down on the mower and cut the area around the bridge and along the top bank, then started cutting the large lawn. Eddie cut the rest of the grass at the mill. While cutting the riverside track in June, our mower broke down due to a build up of debris, so we don’t cut the track any more with our mower as it may damage it again. The track is now cut with the tractor and flail.
Emma and David walked down, Emma weeded the brick floor and cleared an overgrown area of it revealing the bricks. David cut the cornfield flower area with the brushcutter, as its time to cut the meadow, but we need to leave the Teasels there so birds can eat the seeds. David also cut brambles away from the bank where our bridge goes across, so visitors can see where the edge is for safety. David cut Ivy off the walls around the metal stanch fittings with the long hedge cutters and strimmed around the cycle rack so it can be used at the open days.
I got our parasol out and did some minor repairs, so we had lunch sitting under it at the table. Debra and Hector joined us, Debra strimmed in front of the habitat and log store, then along the line of new trees which was overgrown. Debra also strimmed nettles around the compost bays and weeded the bottom of the main trench.
Eddie and I walked down to a fallen tree which is blocking the track just downstream from the mill. The tractor and flail needs to get past to cut the track and footpath ready for the open days, so we cut as much of the tree away as we could with handsaws and our battery chainsaw. The trunk needs cutting up with a large chainsaw and there is a lot of debris to clear away. Hector came with us, he kept going in the river, we threw sticks and a football in the river for him which he enjoyed fetching.
When we got back to The Maltings we connected a hose to the mower cleaning nozzle and ran the cutters to clean the deck, but no grass came out, so we’ll put it on ramps and clean it manually next time we use it and inspect the pulleys to make sure there is no debris on them.
Thursday 5/9/24 Howard has given us a lot of bird food, as he is moving house soon so he’s having a clearout, he and Eddie sorted it all out and put it in the containers, Eddie then filled the feeders and put up the fat filled Coconut.
Howard also gave us a bag of cement which he used to make more sign post stands today, we need these for the open days on 14 & 15 September. Eddie cut two boards in half to make more signs to go on the river bank, then screwed them to the posts.
Emma weeded the gardens around the trees, the hammer mill, and several other areas. Anne Marie walked down to see us and brought us Ginger cake and Lemon & Blackberry cake which we all enjoyed. Anne Marie couldn't do any gardening as she still has a bad back, but she was talking to Emma about making cakes for the open days and helping to serve teas.
I mounted the notice board we made onto our outside table and put the laminated displays on it, this will be in our gazebo at the open days with the human skull, animal bones and other exhibits on the table.
I also fitted the white wooden notice board we were given onto a stand which I made today, so it can go in the gazebo with the Marriott posters on it. The Marriotts were the owners of the mill and navigation rights in the working days of the mill. Howard stapled the Marriott posters to the new board. We put the displays in the visitor centre to keep them dry.
We saw a Red Kite on our way to the mill and it flew over again while we were working. Eddie noticed a Lizard on the shed floor, we think it came up through the floorboards, where it soon disappeared down between them.
I got all the Heritage Open Days banners out, we decided to keep the larger old ones which Howard cleaned, for the main entrances, the smaller new ones will be used on our bridge to welcome visitors from the footpath. I have added our HOD poster to local Facebook pages.
Eddie strimmed around the buildings and features. Debra walked down with Hector the Red Labrador, Debra cleared and mowed around the small Oak tree, then continued weeding the trench, its now clear all the way along to the tunnel.
Howard and I threw the football in the river for Hector to fetch which kept him amused. I got the ladder and pulled weeds from the river in front of the water wheel so its tidy for the open days and Eddie cut the triangle of grass near the trench with Barry’s mower.
Fred has cleared the fallen trees from the track and removed the debris. Next Thursday will be the last work party before the open days, so we’ll cut all the grass.
Graham Bartlett
Interactive Plan Activity Green Grant Wildflower Gallery Volunteer Previous Next Last Year
