It’s finally starting to feel like the vegetation growth is slowing down, a sure fire sign that autumn is coming. This has meant that I have had a chance to finally get on top of my workload after a very hectic summer. I have now finished hedge trimming the back of the towpath along my length and once again strimmed the towpath at 45 o to keep the path clear as the vegetation dies back. 

I’ve also been along and strimmed out the fishing swims and visitor moorings for boats, which should be the last time it needs doing now before I start the heavy task of clearing all the river banks for the winter cutback in November. It’s been very fortunate that the towpath vegetation has slowed down, as I’ve needed the extra time to get everywhere ready for the River Festival at Dapdune Wharf which happened at the end of September. This meant completely clearing the river banks opposite the Wharf in Guildford for the 30 boats attending to moor up. I also needed to do some last minute tree work at Dapdune Wharf, carry out an extra litter pick to make sure everywhere was spotless and help put up signs to guide people at the event. It was well worth it in the end though as we had over 1000 visitors, who all really enjoyed themselves, helped partly by the perfect weather conditions. My role on the day was to help with the car parking along with other staff and volunteers, so well done to everyone involved as it was a great success but a very long day.

Another thing you may have noticed that happened in September was the re-opening of the towpath between the A320 Woking road and A25 Ladymead, after extensive repair works. The worked involved the installation of wooden posts and boards along with stone cages (known as Gabions) to help protect the bank from erosion, whilst allowing plant life to flourish. As part of the works the towpath was re-surfaced and the sheet piling and wooden bollards replaced at the visitor moorings next to B&Q. For those of you who have not yet seen the works do go for a walk down by the river, the engineering work is impressive but rest-assured by next summer you will barely notice it as the vegetation once again takes hold, just as intended.

Richard
07786 703 832
richard.cant@nationaltrust.org.uk

At the recent BCA Public Meeting, the community voted to help support the Save Newlands Corner campaign. 

For more information on how you can register your thoughts, here's some key information:

• The campaign has produced a comprehensive guide on the issues and the challenges facing Newlands Corner. You can download it here
• There is further information available on their website by clicking here