Thursday, 11th August 2016

Just like last session, this was a dreary, very wet day, and eight of us met Ranger Duncan at Skippool Picnic site as the rain was receding. Nevertheless, everything was sodden and we had one heavy shower as we worked. No woodland cover this week, our site is a very overgrown fieldside path leading to the banks of the River Wyre, part of the Wyre Way between Skippool moorings and Shard Bridge. Three of our group targeted an area nearby and then joined the rest to complete the job. For the first time we found ourselves short on time and tools, having to compromise in the completion of clearing some steps, but we did a good job of the main footpath access, again, finishing the evening with a sociable supper. In thinking ahead to what happens when we complete our fourteen pilot sessions of footpath maintenance in October, our work with the Rangers has been good experience in finding out about insurance, land ownership, tools and organisation and given us a strong start from which we feel able to plan further work independently. A July meeting with Lancashire County Council Public Rights of Way personnel has identified further areas for consideration and together with the ongoing interest of members, it is worthwhile to go ahead and purchase our own tools and establish a longer term strategy from our fourteen pilot sessions.   Meeting at Skippool Picnic site, we were protecting the environment in more than one sense of the word; Marie and David travelled by bicycle   Chris, Marie and Betsy made up the advance party whilst the remaining five travelled with Ranger Duncan in the van the short distance to our target site   This Skippool footpath runs down to the River Wyre and is choked with nettles, thistles and long grass. Our "before" picture   And "after". The footpath is cleared for its full length and we have added an "Improved for you by the Ramblers" publicity sign. What we really should say is "Fylde Ramblers"!   The breakaway group return to check our progress.   There's little we can do with this fence except tidy it up and make it safe. The field is not used for grazing and it is dilemmas such as 'who owns what?' and 'who is responsible?' that make embarking on a footpath maintenance job so full of pitfalls   This stile has been left high and dry with no fence to cross. It's not worth tidying it up as it is no longer needed   The vegetation is rampant down the bank towards the river, nevertheless, the footpath is soon exposed   Clear signs that Autumn is on its way.   Without sufficient time and the right tools, David B nevertheless exposes the steps which were virtually out of sight.   Excellent food, drink and service in the River Wyre when we finish the job. Left to right: Judith, Betsy, Chris, Pat, David B. David S.