Under an agreement with Dodd Naze Community Association (DCA) and the now disbanded Friends of High Hirst Woodmeadow (FOHH), CROWS have undertaken to ensure that the 'High Hirst Walk' - which follows a mostly tarmac path that passes through the woodland from the entrance to the allotments on Manor Drive to some steps down to Wadsworth Lane - will be cut back twice a year.
In addition, a permissive path previously opened up and signposted by CROWS which loops round the top of the wood - offering an alternative route when another permissive path up from Sandy Gate through the meadow itself has to be closed after Hay Time when sheep are grazing the 'aftermath' - is included in this agreement.
So, after some delay at the depot when we arrived to find a team of even-earlier birds had already taken some of the tools we'd specially reserved (no names, no pack drill!), Angus, Kasher and Neil D. met with a couple of DCA Volunteers up at Dodnaze to start to tackle the extensive overgrowth.
Slowly, paths were cut back and widened, long lost path edges appeared, as did picnic tables and benches which had been completely overgrown with brambles, bracken and the like.
Here are a few typical shots taken 'before'...
The High Hirst Walk was first opened in 2004, and is a popular and convenient route for local people. It is also well used by the Forest School children who are based at the Community Centre nearby. Towards the end of our work, we even uncovered one of the entrance stones, long lost to the years' cumulative vegetative growth!
Before:
And after:
Of course, while working along the length of the path, a fair bit of litter was removed too - most commonly the ubiquitous dog poo bags!
Residents we met walking the path seemed very pleased, and readily expressed their gratitude at the work we were doing to open up their path again for community use.
Reflecting on our day's work, we left feeling that despite the setbacks and seemingly excessive amount of 'admin' time behind the scenes that was taken in setting up the agreement in the first place, at the end of the day this is really a great example of CROWS working at what it does best.
P.S. We've plan to return in the autumn, as per our agreement, to tackle this summer's growth again - and have already booked the tools out on the CROWS calendar. Fellow volunteers please note the date: Wednesday, 21st October!
