Volunteers complete footpath maintenance

On Monday 18th August we were delighted to be joined by ex-trustee Jim Thompson and 11 members of the Hampshire Monday Group. These are a group of volunteers who meet every Monday to do clearance and maintenance mainly in the South Downs National Park.

With five brush cutters and eight rakers we spent a very productive day clearing the growth along the Martyr Worthy mile and around the benches.

Our aim is to assist HCC in keeping the path along the old railway line clear and to improve the biodiversity by removing nettles, clematis and brambles. Despite the very dry summer a lot of growth had taken place since our last visit in the Spring.

We opened out the clearings by the benches and information board near Couch Green. There are now uninterupted views across the Hampshire countryside. The path towards Itchen Abbas was widened and the bridge at Chilland Lane cleared.

A big thank you from the Watercress Way trustees to Russell Cleaver and his enthusiastic group of volunteers in the Hampshire Monday Group. We hope to do another session with the HMG in December.

If you are interested in helping us, then please contact us at info@thewatercressway.org.uk.

Mike

Secretary