Just a reminder that the next Ballachurry Work Party is scheduled
for next Saturday, 16th February from 10 until 1 or whatever you can
manage in that timescale.
The principal task
will be to re-paint the Hide, first giving it a brisk rub down with
brooms and scrubbing brushes to get off any loose matter. We have a
couple of rollers & trays + a few old brushes of varying sizes. If
you have any old brushes languishing in your shed or garage a few extra
could be useful but don't bring along anything new or expensive! A
couple of stepladders would be helpful if you can get them in your car.
I'll bring along some disposable gloves so we don't all finish the
morning with green fingers! We can't wash equipment on site, so I'll
take it home with me to clean up.
We have
lost some guttering brackets in last night's storm so if I have time to
source some replacements we'll also be fixing those. Without them the
guttering was flexing alarmingly this morning.
If
numbers permit we'll also tackle replacing some rotten planks in the
boardwalk. This will entail lifting or rolling back the chicken wire
first. The reserves officer tells me that fencing pliers are needed to
do this. These are the very pointed ones. We have one pair ourselves but
another pair might speed up the job. Removing the old planks will
require crowbars - ours is rather long so if you have a shorter one you
are prepared to lend us for the morning, please bring it along. We
probably have some hammers available and we are obtaining some nails. Many
thanks to Chris and Peter Baker who are both Ballachurry Bashers and
Mid Week Muckers for transporting the planks down to the Reserve from
MWT for us.
Another painting
job is the back of the noticeboard. A fresh coat of blackboard paint
would not go amiss. A job for just one or two volunteers.
If
none of this appeals there are still a few brambles to be dealt with,
so secateurs, shears, loppers etc. needed for those. There may also be a
small area to be raked off if conditions are suitable for strimming. We
probably have enough rakes for that though.
The
reserve is rather wet after recent rain so suitable footware and, of
course, work gloves are a good idea. Refreshments will be provided at
half time as usual. We need dry conditions for these painting jobs so I
will confirm on Friday after hearing the 8 o'clock forecast whether the
Work Party will go ahead. Fingers crossed! I look forward to seeing some
of you there.
Many thanks,
Sheila
