WORK ON WATERS. Year 2009
Work Party 18th January 2009.
15
members attended.
Considerable
attention was given to the Ditch pond in
preparation for the complete replacement of the four remaining swims with
raised platforms, it is anticipated that this work will be carried out at
beginning of April, should other scheduled work go as planned.
The
replacement of the ground swims with raised platforms has come about due to the
constant high levels of water in the pond which has made the swims virtually
unfishable.
The cost of materials to build the platforms
is far less expensive than the overall expense and work involved in putting in
a drain and then rebuilding the existing swims as they are at present.
The
rear areas of the swims were opened and cleared of the overgrowth of vegetation
and the telegraph pole sections previously used in the construction of the
swims were removed and stacked for re use.
A
large amount of heavily overgrown
Several
Silver Birch trees were cut down at the Newby pond to afford easier access for
a survey with a view to removal of further overgrown vegetation. (Survey by Brian
Hodgson due 18/02/09)
A
review was undertaken of the Carp pond swims
which have all but been destroyed as a result of constant high water levels
over the last two winters, in preparation for rebuilding work to hopefully start
on the next work party. The sighting of a “water level control drain” was
agreed near to the
All
the anticipated work for that day was completed.
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Work Party 15th February 2009
16
members attended.
Attending
Members were split into two groups who then concentrated there efforts between
the Carp pond and the main group.
The
group who attended to the Carp pond dug a
trench for the positioning of the previously agreed “water level control
drain”. A section of underground pipe was then installed and the trench
backfilled.
This
was successfully completed with no unforeseen problems arising.
With
the installation of this pipe the maximum water level of the Carp pond can now be controlled as excess water will
be allowed to spill rather than flood over the swims and cause further erosion
and damage, as has been the case for the last two winters.
Further
work was then carried out on the initial clearing of the frameworks/structures
of the existing swims ready for work to commence on the total rebuilding of the
swims.
The
second unit continued working around the main group and Ditch pond concentrating mainly on the Ditch
pond.
The
previously cut
All
the anticipated work for that day was completed.
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<<<< Wednesday
18th February 2009>>>>
Brian Hodgson, “Aquatic Management Services” in company with Club
Members, Graham Ward, Paul Bryan, Ray Pousty, Gordon Phillips and Peter Pownall,
attended at the ponds for the purpose of Dr Hodgson advising the club regarding
what work he felt was required for the further improvement to the club waters.
The group attended all the ponds on the main group including the
Ditch, Tench and Newby. A number of areas on all ponds were identified were
there was a requirement for the clearance and cutting back of some dense
overgrown vegetation including hawthorn bushes and willows and some small
trees.
These were marked with a red spray and notes were also taken of
locations of overgrowth.
Dr Hodgson will be attending on a separate date (3rd
March 2009) to take further surveys of the ponds with regards to water depth,
quality and aquatic life and to report if a previous applied lime treatment had
improved the ponds overall conditioning.(awaiting this report)
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Work Party 1st March 2009
16
members attended.
The
attending members again split between two locations, these again being the Carp pond and the main group of ponds.
Those
who attended the Carp pond began on the considerable
work to repair and rebuild the damaged swims (all of which require some
considerable attention).
(washed
away/undercut and unsafe)
The
members who attended the main group of ponds, concentrated there efforts towards
the work required to open up the aspects of the ponds, they began the cutting
and clearing of the vegetation/bushes previously identified on the 18th
February.(Survey)
It
was decided to work through the ponds individually starting with the May/June ponds.
All
the identified vegetation that was cut back was cleared out, stacked and then burned
in a controlled manner at the burn site at the pond.
All
the anticipated work for that day was completed.
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Work Party 15th March 2009
16
Members attended (including 2 Juniors)
The
attending members again split between two locations, these again being the Carp pond and the main group of ponds.
Those
who attended the Carp pond resumed the work to
repair and rebuild the damaged swims.
Some
of these members had also attended during the previous week on unscheduled
dates to continue with the required repair work to the swims.
The
members who attended the main group of ponds, continued to concentrate there
efforts into the work required to open up the aspects of the ponds, in the
cutting and clearing of the vegetation previously identified on the survey
undertaken on 18th February.
The
team concentrated there efforts of this day on the Misty,
Bream and Clover ponds.
Again
all the vegetation that was cut back was cleared out, stacked and then burned
in a controlled manner at the burn site at the pond.
The
anticipated work on the ponds which was drawn up set for completion prior to
June is now slightly ahead of schedule.
All the anticipated work for that day was
completed.
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Work Party 5th April 2009
13
Members Attended (including 2 Juniors)
The
attending members attended to the listed work on Newby
pond.
A
Health and safety issue had been raised at the April Committee Meeting with
regards to the condition of the pathway between swims 16 and 17 at the end of
the canal section. In that it was sloping and too narrow.
Lack
of suitable materials had hindered the work from being previously undertaken.
The
group initially split into two at the pond with nine members attending to the cutting and removal
of the previously identified and marked overgrowth of vegetation and trees.(Survey 18th February).
The
second group of four, including the two attending junior members, attended to
the health and safety issue previously identified and to the reconstruction of
the pathway between pegs 16 and 17.(end of canal section)
Metal
Scaffold poles, previously pulled out and no longer required from the rebuilt
swims on the Carp pond and sections of
Telegraph poles recovered from the fronts of the swims on the Ditch pond were used to form a secure raised barrier
along the worst affected section of the eroded pathway. The earth on the high
side of the bank was then loosened and dug out and then redistributed to back
fill against the sections of poles. This has resulted in a level pathway which
is double in width to before reconstruction.
Further
work is still required on two shorter sections of less damaged bank on the same
section and the erection of a safety hand rail along this section of bank. This
work is scheduled to be undertaken on the 19/04/09, if materials are available
and time permits.
The
two groups then joined for the final hour to remove two large overhanging trees
from between swims 4 and 5.
With
the assistance of a large chain/straps and a 4x4 vehicle they were successfully
cut down and dragged clear of the water. The removal of the barber wire fence
was required to facilitate this.
Some
of the cut vegetation was burnt in a controlled manner at site and some
previously cut vegetation was also burned at the Tench
pond burn site.
The
perimeter of the pond was secured with bush and tree branches to prevent the
cattle from getting in around the pond.
All
the anticipated work for that day was completed.
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Work Party 19th April 2009
14
Members Attended (including 2 Juniors)
The
attending members continued the listed work on the Newby
Pond.
There
were still some of the previously felled Hawthorn bushes, Willow trees and other
bushes that, due to time factors on the previous party and also there requirement to use them to secure
the perimeter from cattle and had been left where felled, were the first to be
pulled clear and cut up.
Once
the fire was started these were then stacked for burning. Work then commenced
to cut and clear the previously “marked for clearance” trees and bushes around
the pond. (still some remedial cutting back required)
New
posts were driven in at the cleared area and approximately 30 feet of the barb
wire fence, previously removed to afford access to the trees, was replaced,
some further damaged sections were repaired.
The
two main pathway access stiles were repaired.
One
of the swims handrails was also repaired.
The
Water Pump had been running throughout the work party in the Tench pond, in an effort to reduce the water level
“reduced by 4 inches this time” so that the swims can be assessed and repaired.
(a new overflow control drain is to be installed to prevent further problems
with the raised water levels suffered over the last two winters)
Mark
Parry continued his sterling work in the planting of pond side and marginal
aquatic vegetation around the ponds.
Unfortunately
due to time factors the scheduled work on the pathway at the end of the canal
section was not full completed, this also including the installation of
handrails.
It
is anticipated that this work will be completed by the end of the next two work
parties.(prior to season opening)
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26th
April 2008
Two
members, including one junior attended the Newby Pond
and built the Hand Rails (not constructed 19/04/09) along the section of
previously reconstructed pathway at the end of the canal section.
Handrails
were also built at this time on two separate identified swims.
One
as required on number 17 swim, were two sections were erected and also on
number 18 swim were part of the existing broken hand rail was used as a bottom
rail down the length of the steps.( awaiting review of suitability by Heath & Safety Member)
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Work Party 3rd May 2009 (bank holiday weekend)
17 Members Attended including 2 juniors and 2 new members
The
attending members split between two locations,
11
members made to the Stork pond to give the area
its first strim and general cut back and clear up of the year. The pond has
been a little neglected recently due to all the other work this year, having
been directed to the main group of ponds and to the total re building of the
swims on the Carp pond.
The
attending members cleared around the swims and cut back some overgrowth of
vegetation. Due however to overnight rain, it was decided to stack the cut material
at the burn site ready for future burning once it has had some time to dry out.
(further strimming and grass cutting required soon)
The
remaining six members, including the two junior members, attended at the Ditch pond. Two of the four original, previously
damaged and previously removed swims, were replaced with new raised wooden platforms.
The
two new platforms still require some minor attention before they are complete,
however, it is anticipated that this work and the building of the two remaining
platforms, will be fully completed before the beginning of the season (June 1st)
The
water pump was again run in the Tench pond and
again a noticeable reduction to the water level was achieved buy the end of the
work party.
The
water level has now been sufficiently lowered so as to afford a brief survey as
to the condition of some of the swims to be conducted.
The
good news is, that damage to the swims appears not to be as bad as previously
expected and although the water level still requires reducing some further eight
to ten inches before work can fully commence to rebuild the swims, the previously
anticipated work required will now, hopefully, not be as extensive as was first
thought and we will hopefully be able to complete the work sooner than
expected. A full assessment will still need to be carried out once the water
reaches the desired level.
It
is anticipated that the refurbishment of the swims on the Tench pond will now commence, either on the June 21st
or July 19th Work Parties. Some work will be carried out to clear
vegetation and open up swims on the work party scheduled for 17th
May. (some swims are at present fishable)
The
new Water Level control drain will be placed to run across the meadow and
allowed to spill into the natural drainage ditch from the south east corner of
the Tench pond. This will be laid with the assistance of a digger (due to depth and
distance) once correct water levels are reached.
It
is now anticipated that the new Water Level control drain will be installed on
the June Work Party date (21st June). The JCB has been provisionally
booked for this date.
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