First things first. Dennis Vanstone has finally come across a task that he cannot complete on his own. So it’s time for the first Commoners’ working party! Mark a note of the date and time – Saturday 4th November at 1000 – meet up by the new pond on the lower footpath. If you have a wheelbarrow that’s sturdy enough for shifting stone, please bring it along. And that gives a clue as to the task! Obviously wellington boots and work gloves will be the attire for the day. And we will hope that it is not raining.
If the animals were the stars of last month’s Newsletter, I am afraid that mud has been the main feature during recent weeks. You will have seen Pete and Dennis – the digger and dumper duo – hard at work around the Commons improving the drainage and spreading stone on areas that have proven muddy or slippery during the wet “summer”. Nearly all the stone used has been mined from the skillet seams that are a feature of the local geology so we are very pleased to be recycling local material. The resulting holes have been backfilled with the soil and mud removed from the tracks and new ditches.
It’s a shame that this scheduled work has clashed with yet another very wet period that has made the task more difficult and mucky than planned. This has meant that we had to close off some paths for a time but they are all open again now – but make sure to wear your boots! Work is still ongoing as we go to press but all should be completed by the end of this week – 19th October.
If the good folk at Cornwall Council Planning Office keep to schedule, we should be able to finally put the roof on the sheep handling pen in the next week or so – hopefully that may signal a change in the weather and bring a dry spell! We certainly need it as we have a lot of work to do hedge cutting and fencing in our fields adjoin the Commons in preparation for the sheep breeding season and the planned arrival of a Balwen ram to “serve” our three shearling ewes.
Remember to keep visiting the website (www.westlandcs.co.uk) for up to date information and news. And if you see any interesting or unusual wildlife do send an e-mail or give Neil a call at the office 01288 32114). Also, send in any photos that you would like to have included in the website gallery.
Finally, our new office within the WGP Group building should be ready soon so look out for news about our “office warming” party.
See you on the Commons!