Harper's Field 28th Aug

by: Dave C.

The Bank Holiday meant only one day at Harper's Field this week, but a momentous day it was.  Having been put on hold waiting for a bigger hammer and a bigger digger there was no chance of progress with the off-loading point.  So, Bob A with his usual Ham Mill gang of Andy P and Mathew, made a start on the slipway.

After a short 'well how are we going to do this meeting' Bob set about clearing the ground while the rest of us checked the drawings and the layout.  While Bob dug Andy and Matthew did the clever bit of finding the line that would require the minimum of digging whilst still being able to launch a 70 foot boat.  Ground cleared and line pegged out, all that is needed now is a bigger digger (I am beginning to sense a trend) to make the gradient of the slipway.

Project 'DNF' - No.5 Refit

A very brief report this time.  Given that we had repaired one of the fixing points for the side tanks the other week and added rubber 'bang' protectors down the sides, it seemed sensible to check that they would still drop into place and the securing bolts go through the holes.

We were able to sling the tanks from the boom and use it to raise each of the tanks enough to for them to slot in.  The task verified that both sides fitted correctly, we'd not want to discover an alignment problem when splashing around in the water.

Weedie works wonders

by : John F.

While walking down the canal tow-path on my way to Frocester beer festival, some fortuitous timing meant that I was going past St Cyr's as the trip boat Perseverance was arriving on a charter, carrying the bride and groom to a wedding function.  Anyone who saw this section of the pound a few weeks ago will know that a lot of effort went into making this trip possible.

Blanket weed and water lilies had choked the canal and floating reed mats were threatening to complete the job.  Several sessions with our aqua flora harvester, Weedie and a couple of trips by the tugs Margaret and Goliath have now cleared the pound to the extent that the trip boat crew made going alongside look effortless. 

Gough's Orchard Water Feed - The Return

by: Andy P.

Nov 2017 the vacuum pipework was completed and commissioned. It did not last long and despite numerous folks and numerous methods, the vacuum failed to work for a sufficient length of time to get the water from the pond up and into the canal. So Bob, Mathew, Maurice and Andy P returned. First job was to close the inlet valve by the pond, which when we left in May 2018 moved easily with 1 hand. Not this time, 4 hands, on our stomachs, a hammer and 40 mins later it was closed. Can WD engineering make a frame at waist level to make it easy to open and close-Thank you.

The pipework which took days to assemble yielded in 30 mins-the saw did help a lot. Then digging and much more digging to drop the level and straighten the run across the tow path.

Off to Brimscombe to take the old pipes and look at the shiny new, very, very heavy pipes and fittings.  Well, a bit of a jigsaw but eventually figured out how it all might work.  John B was not too impressed about his order and drawings versus what was delivered.  More bits needed.  A very pleasant lunch break and WRG flapjack, at the bookshop, did help.

Then back to digging in between rain showers.

Weds was more digging.  Lots of digging.  Collected 2 bends and used them to work out the best way to get across the towpath, with one being cut to size to make the correct angle.  Back to the bookshop for lunch and WRG cheesecake. We like WRG work party leftover food.  Ian M spotted us so we ‘volunteered’ to take a length of hose to the WRG working at Dudbridge.  Lots of activity going on there.

Then to finish off we did some more digging and a final selfie.  To be continued at some point in the future. 

Harper's Field

by:  Dave C.

Another busy week at Harper's Field saw some progress.  Piling has been started by Alan Jones' crew, with Tony Jones working the tug and Andy Jones providing guidance, the team sound like the Welsh Rugby side.  The piles have been driven as far as the equipment could provide, unfortunately it won't be enough and the age old CCT solution will be applied, 'get a bigger hammer'.

Another 20 tonnes of Type 1 hardcore arrived to finish off the entrance and access to the car park.  With the digger and road roller Steve P, Vince and part-time Les M (he'd gone off to unload hoppers so we let him off), we had the whole thing smoothed out and ready to go.

The Welfare Unit is also taking shape, with Will and his team delivering the first frames for the seating.

Dudbridge Lower Lock

by: John S.

Wednesday. Another busy day with the Wergies at Dudbridge. 

Stop planks in place and time to pump out the water. Annette was tugged up so we could use her hydraulic pump.  More excellent exampled of collaborative working.  Dave Pashby and crew brought Annette up early and so the day started.  Another very hectic but rewarding day. 

Dudbridge Lower Lock

by: John S.

A busy Monday at Dudbridge lower. It was a case of all hands to the pumps as the Wergies started in anger on Dudbrudge lower lock, with the installation of the lower stop planks. Not an easy job, but with the help of some fantastic teamwork all the planks were in position by close of play. Patricia (and crew) were there to help with lifting and lowering. Ah, we need some sawdust, came the shout. A quick call to the Western depot and the job was done. Dave P personally deliverung said sawdust to the lock. The a mobile working platform was needed to enable the Wergies to clear out the remaining foliage from the stop plank cut out. Step forward tug Margaret. Another job done. With one or two other difficulties overcome the last plank went in just before 6pm. Phew....

A great example of working together: SDC, Wergies, Western depot, tug boat crew and dredger crew. A very enjoyable and rewarding 10 hour shift (for some of us!). And a thank you to the Wergies for a limitless supply of tea and cake.