Cambridge National Trust Volunteers
(CNTV) WELCOME to our web pages ....
....
Last updated on 30th June 2009 CNTV members share an interest
in historic properties and conservation areas found within the
UK.
As an independant volunteer group we actively support the National
Trust by
giving up some of our time to help preserve and maintain the properties.
Our work is typically on Sundays, but we also carry out longer
weekend tasks during the year.
For some environmentally friendly ideas, read about reducing limescale deposits without chemicals.
Visiting Cambridge area?
Check our links page for ideas (hand picked and checked
sites).
Today our task was
"filling holes" in paths. For the Fen footpaths, we
soon discovered
this was not simply putting some earth or stones in the hole until
it is level.
The Fen itself in very simple terms is a layer of peat floating
on water. Jump up and down
on one of the footpaths and it feels quite springy. When dips/holes
start appearing it is vital
that they are properly repaired, failing to do so could result
in the hole "punching through"
to the water below. If this happens, repair becomes largely impossible
and the path
would require re-routing. Our first task was in fact to make the
hole larger - it needed
squaring off and excavating to a level depth of about 6-8 inches).
Good surface growth
was carefully removed in squares (like turfs) and saved for later
use. The peat materal
was also placed on tarpaulins ready for "topping off"
later. (Photo: Roger) Footpath repair in progress - turfs
can be seen to the left and right
with the peat material carefully saved on the tarpaulins for later
use.
Infill for the hole
comes in the shape of timber, currently the planks from the old
wooden
boardwalks are being recycled. First they are cut to the same
length and then tied in bundles
ready for infilling. Preparing the bundles was our next job for
the day, along with
"trampling" down the bottom of the hole ready for placing
the tied bundles. (Photos: Roger) Left: bundling and tying planks.....Right:
no, not some ancient ritual, just "trampling" in progress
Once "trampling"
was completed, bundled planks could be laid. The logs placed
along the side of the hole help prevent the bundled planks from
slowly moving
sideways with footpath use and the small work vehicles passing
over. (Photos: Roger) Left: "trampling" completed.....Right:
planks and logs in place with in-filling in progress.
Lastly, spaces between
the logs and plank bundles are infilled with the saved peat material
and finally the turfs spread over the top to encourage re-growth.
Although the finish looks
rather "ruff" now, in a few months it will settle and
the vegetation will re-grow. (Photos: Roger) Left: infilling and covering the repair.....Right:
the finished path repair. In a few months
it will settle and the vegetation will re-grow.
Whilst carrying
out the repair, a number of Woodcock chicks paid
us a visit to check the work was being carried out properly. (Photos: Roger) Left: Woodcock chicks paying us a visit, Mid: common
spotted orchid, Right:
dragonfly - Norfolk
Hawker?
The bike ride went
very well with fabulous sunny weather but not too hot.
We first went to Granchester, via the cycle path from Addenbrookes
to Great Shelford, for a relaxing drink at The Orchard.
Then north along the path to Newnham and up to the River at Jesus
Green where there was a 'Race for Life' by
Cancer Research UK to raise money for Breast Cancer. We followed
the river up to Baits
Bite Lock
and had a lovely roast dinner at The Plough and Fleece Pub in
Horningsea.
Back home through Milton
Country Park and a
cup of tea at Joan's.
(Photos: Tom) Left: stopping for a drink by the Cam.....Right:
crossing the Cam at Baits Bite Lock
Hatfield Forest - 31st May 2009
Todays task led
by Alison involved scrub clearance from the rides and bridleways. (Photo: Clare) Scrub clearing in Hatfield Forest
Wimpole farm
fence painting - 10th May 2009
Today we were painting
the metal fencing around the pond – amply hindered by the
resident goose which
hissed at us all morning. The goose misjudged its flight over
a metal fence nearby at lunchtime and retired
quietly to a corner of the pond to nurse it's hurt legs (see goose
photo). (Photos: Alison) Left: Mark, Fiona, Vicky and Val busy
painting.........Right: "The goose!"
more diary pages
..... the diary of tasks and events is split into smaller web
pages
to reduce the page loading wait for viewers with dial up connections
.... next diary page.
diary page
9: 1st
January 2009 to 3rd May 2009 diary page 8: 24th August 2008 to 31st December
2008 diary page 7: 9th June 2008 to 24th August 2008 diary page 6: 12th April 2008 to 15th June 2008 diary page 5: 23rd November 2007 to 16th March
2008 diary page 4: 29th July 2007 to 18th November 2007 diary page 3: 4th March 2007 to 15th July 2007 diary page 2: 26th November 2006 to 14th January
2007 diary page 1: 7th July 2006 to 19th November 2006
Site maintained by
Roger Jayes.
CNTV contact details can
be found here.
Thanks to Mythic Beasts, Cambridge for supporting CNTV and hosting
this site. This website and contents
is copyright CNTV 1999 - 2009 except
the title "National Trust" and the "Oak" logo
which are registered trade marks of the National Trust.
We have a new advertising brochure, it is available
to download
