SPINNEY UPDATE ¨C MAY 2007

Due to the weather doing a swap for April and May we¡¯ve been caught out with the next portion of the work.

Avian were due back on the 9th May to sow the grass seed, extend the steps from one side of the Spinney to the kerb and put some wrought iron handrails up on both sets of access steps to the Spinney.  Unfortunately that was the week that the long spell of sunny weather broke, and on the 9th May it chucked it down.

We rescheduled it for the 30th May, which is today and as I write it is raining hard!  So it looks like another postponement.  The committee are keen to have grass for the village Boule Fight and BBQ at the end of July, so we will be pushing Avian to return during the first dry spell.  Once they have finished this work it will mean the conclusion to phase I of the project.

We have put in an application for more funding for phase II that includes new pathway surfaces, seating, a storage shed and planting.  We were awarded a grant for £1600 to stage a musical event in the village.  Unfortunately due to time constraints and other complications we have had to turn the grant down but with the promise that we can apply for it again next year.

SPINNEY UPDATE APRIL 2007

Avian are due to return to the village week commencing Monday 16th April to clear the centre of the Spinney dig in some topsoil and level. This will make the land ready for planting grass seed as soon as the frosts have gone.  It has been decided to seed it rather than lay turf as hard wearing, shade loving grass is only available in seed form.  The added bonus is that it¡¯s cheaper than turf.  The seeded area will have to be watered regularly, unless we get a wet May.  Members of the Residents Association will be taking it in turns to supervise watering, but many hands make light work, so if there are any volunteers out there please contact Melanie O¡¯Neill (771085).

The Residents Association are currently in the process of applying for funding so that the ongoing work needed to upgrade the Spinney can continue.  Of course we will continue to hold our own schedule of fund raising events such as the cream tea and BBQ.  Our focus after the grass, is restoring the pathways, which is likely to be quite costly given that we are looking for something hard wearing, weed resistant and long lasting.

SPINNEY UPDATE JANUARY 2007

As you are all probably aware, Avian came in December and removed some of the trees in the Spinney.  The intention was that after removal the ground would be rotavated and large rocks etc would be cleared.  Topsoil would then be added and the ground would be levelled ready for the laying of turf in the Spring.

Unfortunately, due to the large volume of rainwater that fell in December the ground, which has a clay base became very sticky and waterlogged.  Avian advised that it would be better to wait until the ground had dried out before bringing in the topsoil. As the turf cannot be laid until the Spring frosts have finished there is no need to have the topsoil brought in before the ground is ready.

Please continue to take any logs you can use, as at some point we are going to have to remove them to prevent damage to plant life underneath.  The tree roots will be removed as soon as we can arrange this.