Haze Reid reports on the Gloucester Vale Conservation volunteers
Throughs, jumpers and packing, any ideas?
No, well having spent some time on Sunday 21 July 2002 with Rob
Niblett, Julian Bendle and about eight others on Crickley Hill
I feel a sense of achievement and more knowledgeable about dry
stone walling. If you are relatively fit, enjoy being out of doors
and would like to do something to help others to enjoy the countryside
why not think about the Gloucester Vale Conservation Volunteers?
Dry stone walling is not dissimilar to a 3-D jigsaw where most
of the pieces come from different jigsaws. It can be trying and
challenging at times (a bit like Rob really - only kidding).
The day began with introductions and an entertaining but informative
talk by Rob on Health and Safety. Julian, who is the site warden
then gave us a detailed talk on the techniques to building the
wall - I didn't realise there was so much to it. Then, after Rob
and I tutted, shook our head and looked up and down the part-complete
wall a couple of times, Rob disappeared to put the kettle on!
Being an expert in conservation, Rob understands the importance
of liquid refreshments - he also knows how long it takes to boil
the kettle. So while the kettle was boiling, we set to work, grunting,
stretching and holding the lower back - and that was just Rob
putting coffee in the cups.
Some, including me, were new to this type of task and I'm not
sure I really contributed a great deal apart from shuffling a
lot of stones around, but we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Julian,
clearly with a good eye for this would appear by your side just
as you'd given up trying to fit a stone on to the next course
and just happen to find the only stone you'd not tried, and it
would fit perfectly - how did he do that?
On Sunday we were working on behalf of the County Council and
the National Trust. There are lots of other tasks to do - clearing
public rights of way, building wooden bridges for walkers even
sawing down trees (only little ones but that was my introduction
to the group).
I hope that's given you a taster to the valuable work this group
does. It's certainly a good opportunity to help develop your team
building skills.
If you want to know more please contact Rob or me. If you want
to come along to a future event Rob has all the details.