Environment Agency staff based at Helpston Groundwater Treatment Plant and their Remediation partners Hydrock elected to spend a day helping the Langdyke Trust with seasonal work in preparation for a busy summer ahead at Swaddywell Pit.
Led by Project Manager Alison Hukin, twelve staff spent the day completing some really helpful and important tasks. The middle pond was completely cleared of willow - this will encourage the reeds and retain the wetland; a considerable number of “clays” were retrieved from the old shooting area to make the geology trail more wholesome; the rabbit-proof fence to the East was mended, scrub cleared from the trackway, and more willow taken out to be able to see the rockface at the NE corner. All told, it was an excellent day for all - the staff enjoyed completing the tasks, the pit looks better for it.
A good lunch was taken at The Granary, but no-one fell under Clare’s Swordywell spell with an afternoon nap! The “busman’s holiday” prize was taken by Technical Director Eric Cooper (Hydrogeologist) who had been persuaded to study the geology. Using direct observation , old geological maps, a geologist’s hammer and some up-to-date web technology, a survey was completed and we await the results with interest.
Natural items of interest during the day - a great sway of cowslips at the top of the eastern slope near the toolshed; a red kite (of course), a lizard glimpsed in the sun-filled gulley running up from the large pond to the old shoot area, and the heat of the sunshine scenting the air with wild marjoram - who needs “le midi” when tout le monde is at Swaddywell!
Led by Project Manager Alison Hukin, twelve staff spent the day completing some really helpful and important tasks. The middle pond was completely cleared of willow - this will encourage the reeds and retain the wetland; a considerable number of “clays” were retrieved from the old shooting area to make the geology trail more wholesome; the rabbit-proof fence to the East was mended, scrub cleared from the trackway, and more willow taken out to be able to see the rockface at the NE corner. All told, it was an excellent day for all - the staff enjoyed completing the tasks, the pit looks better for it.
A good lunch was taken at The Granary, but no-one fell under Clare’s Swordywell spell with an afternoon nap! The “busman’s holiday” prize was taken by Technical Director Eric Cooper (Hydrogeologist) who had been persuaded to study the geology. Using direct observation , old geological maps, a geologist’s hammer and some up-to-date web technology, a survey was completed and we await the results with interest.
Natural items of interest during the day - a great sway of cowslips at the top of the eastern slope near the toolshed; a red kite (of course), a lizard glimpsed in the sun-filled gulley running up from the large pond to the old shoot area, and the heat of the sunshine scenting the air with wild marjoram - who needs “le midi” when tout le monde is at Swaddywell!
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