The
day began damp, cool and misty and as we approached Catbrain Quarrry,
close to the Beacon, we were astonished to find the available
parking space virtually filled. We were told that because we were
on the Cotswold Way the mass of cars probably belonged to an organised
group walking a section of the route.
Our task was to assist Cedric and six volunteers from the Painswick Beacon Conservation Society to clear scrub from the Iron Age earthworks that ring the summit.
Lesley had brought our tools, the first aid kit and the coffee making equipment, including the essential biscuits. So we shared the things amongst us and made our way through the dense mist and the prolific golfers towards the hilltop fort.
Cedric
used his detailed plan of the site to brief us about the work
to be done and explained the importance of clearing the fortification
ditches of small trees, bushes and brambles. It seemed that the
best way to preserve the profile of the earthworks was to prevent
scrub and trees from undermining and destabilising them.
Cedric picked out a suitable place for the bonfire that would consume all the scrub and following the statutory briefing on the safe handling and care of tools we set to work.
By lunchtime a large area of brambles and
dozens of bushes and small trees were reduced to ash. Also by
lunchtime the mist and the golfers had dispersed leaving the area
for recreation and walkers. In the afternoon sun we foraged further
afield dragging back scrub to feed the bonfire. 
By 4 o'clock we were beginning to tire and it was good to pause occasionally to admire the panoramic views. Before heading off home we sat in the late afternoon sun and listened to Cedric telling us something of the fascinating history of the area. Cedric was delighted with what had been achieved and thanked us all for our efforts. The job done we packed our things away and set off home.
