Pete, John from Bathpool and I worked on upgrading the path from the narrow pedestrian entrance to the woods (near to Stara bridge) to the new boardwalk. This involved raising the level of the path, so the first stage was to build up the sides of the path using cut lengths of tree trunk (from previous conifer thinning in Colquite wood) held in place with long steel stakes hammered into the ground. The second stage was to create an improved drainage pipe out of an offcut of galvanized corrugated metal sheet curved downwards and held in place with short metal stakes hammered into the ground. Such times as the Lynher level rises above the banks at this point at least the water now can run under the path and back into the river via the culvert. The metal sheet was then covered in reinforcing mesh, and a mix of Postcrete (quick-setting mortar) and aggregate spread over the whole thing to set it in place. The final stage is to bring the level of the path up over this drainage pipe with more aggregate from our pile in the car park, and we’re aiming to do this on the 16th of September. Until then the path isn’t fit to use, so the access from the road is closed off with flutter tape and we’d ask people to walk in via the main vehicle entrance to the woods for the time being. All being well, the path should be back in use and open on the 16th September.

(Although given the forecast for the coming week, that may have been optimistic!)

FALLEN TREE (LAURENCE)

We’ve just been down to the woods to inspect a reported fallen tree. It’s a beech, lying across the lower part of the uphill footpath to Colpit Cottage. See attached photo. I’ve trimmed away the small stuff so that people can limbo under it. At the fatter end the trunk is about 9” inch diameter. I don’t think that we need to get Nigel Powell in to deal with it – a couple of battery chainsaws would be sufficient. The problem is the root ball above, which will doubtless topple forward when the main trunk is cut
through. But it’s not that deep a root ball, so there isn’t a great mass of stone and soil behind it. If we cut (with bow-saws) and hack away as much of the root mass, stone, soil etc., rope up the remainder to hold it in place temporarily, cut through the trunk, then lower the root ball (or undo the rope and let it fall) it should be manageable. What could possibly go wrong?

(Fallen trees are always a risk in the woods, particular in times of high winds and wet weather, and this one was reported on September 9th. We are always very grateful for Friends and walkers who report them, especially if they obstruct paths or pose a potential risk to the public.)