The Sun Shines on the Western Depot
by: Buffs
A dull start to the morning belied the rending of the clouds
of winter asunder by a bright and almost hot sun before elevenses.
Depot manager Reg read out the day’s tasks to the assembled
volunteers and closed with a serious note that WD has a large and growing list
of tasks which always seems to outstrip the increase in numbers of volunteers
coming to the depot. The summer programme of grass cutting and bank maintenance
gets underway with the advent of the warm days ahead.
The yard was soon resonating to the asynchronous beat of
hammers underlying the wailing song of the grinders and cutters. A descant from
the chippies saws and routers joined in the response to natures more melodious
offerings.
Western Depot has a goodly number of mowers of varying
vintage alongside an even greater number strimmers and hedge trimmers from
equally diverse sources. This year with two dedicated volunteers devoting most
of their time to the task, preseason maintenance has been carried out on most of
the mower fleet. Some mowers have required more time and spares than others but
the mowing team can set to work with machines in the best state for a while.
I would take this opportunity to observe that mowers of all
types are more efficient and effective if they are kept clear of grass
cuttings. Cuttings accumulate on the underside of the machine and need to be
cleared regularly during the working day and before putting the machine to bed
for the night. A 1 inch scraper is an excellent tool to keep to hand as it can
get to most places under the mower.
A small team were sent to Dudbridge Locks to clear bramble on
the island. Brambles were beaten back but not until they had staged a vicious
defence which saw at least one volunteer wounded. Sympathy at the depot was
expressed in the usual manner.
The digger was taken to Harper’s field to remove a small
stump at the water’s edge. It finally
yielded and revealed itself to be 2m (6-7 feet) in diameter. This may be the
subject of a post elsewhere.
