Saturday 2nd August – and an effort to do something to Mill Brook in the Park. January saw dreadful flooding in the Park, many rugby matches were cancelled, tennis was called off and bar takings at the Park were consequently down too - something has to be done. A survey is necessary; so Roger Haycock masterminded the task and sent round an email to all the Park clubs to come and lend a hand. He drew up a detailed list of the work to be done on the bank of the brook for the survey sites on both sides of the roadway into Jubilee Field showing what should be done, what equipment may be necessary, and the number of people required to do the work.
Many people (lots of them strong Rugby players) turned up with their loppers, chainsaws, hand saws, strimmers and ladders (and – me to keep the troops watered and take some pictures). They set to on the spots marked out by Roger. Each area, marked A to M on the side of the brook was to be cleared so surveyors could assess the area and decide what to do. The Brook itself was closed off at one end in 1968 (or even before, when the land was developed). It is hoped that the water will flow 'back into Bradford's Brook' and so into the Thames …
We had sunny dry weather for weeks and weeks before today, and just after everyone started work DOWN came the rain! The forecast indicated rain was expected at 12.00 but an hour early, down it came. I was taking pictures and the camera and its bag got a bit soaked, not to mention the workers! So G and I abandoned ship so to speak, and came home – wet through – leaving the rest to carry on or not, in the rain! And as I write, the rain has stopped here, so perhaps it was 'just' a shower … but it appears more, heavier stuff is to come …
Here are a few pictures of what the flooding was like in January.
Many people (lots of them strong Rugby players) turned up with their loppers, chainsaws, hand saws, strimmers and ladders (and – me to keep the troops watered and take some pictures). They set to on the spots marked out by Roger. Each area, marked A to M on the side of the brook was to be cleared so surveyors could assess the area and decide what to do. The Brook itself was closed off at one end in 1968 (or even before, when the land was developed). It is hoped that the water will flow 'back into Bradford's Brook' and so into the Thames …
We had sunny dry weather for weeks and weeks before today, and just after everyone started work DOWN came the rain! The forecast indicated rain was expected at 12.00 but an hour early, down it came. I was taking pictures and the camera and its bag got a bit soaked, not to mention the workers! So G and I abandoned ship so to speak, and came home – wet through – leaving the rest to carry on or not, in the rain! And as I write, the rain has stopped here, so perhaps it was 'just' a shower … but it appears more, heavier stuff is to come …
Here are a few pictures of what the flooding was like in January.
After the work was done, Roger gave a brief report on this morning's efforts:
"All went extremely well, thanks to great contributions from Des and some 16 rugby players, seven or eight tennis players, and six petanque players. Also Richard Prunier and my son Phil (counting as a hockey parent).
Dave Baldwin and a surveyor were there, so Dave was able to sign off each survey point as meeting his needs. He seemed to be exceedingly happy to see our efforts.
Apart from meeting our objective, I think today’s effort will be important for the future."
Here are some picture of the forces at work
"All went extremely well, thanks to great contributions from Des and some 16 rugby players, seven or eight tennis players, and six petanque players. Also Richard Prunier and my son Phil (counting as a hockey parent).
Dave Baldwin and a surveyor were there, so Dave was able to sign off each survey point as meeting his needs. He seemed to be exceedingly happy to see our efforts.
Apart from meeting our objective, I think today’s effort will be important for the future."
Here are some picture of the forces at work
