Some of the family have now travelled back to Massachussetts after their Christmas stay with us. All the rest of our family have departed to their various homes in the UK. It felt strange, so quiet and empty. We could have rested but feeling restless instead, we cleared away decorations, real and artificial. Hoovered. Washed sheets. What to do, what to do now?
Outside, remaining leaves have finally drifted or been washed to the ground, lying like soggy cornflakes. I should get into the garden but instead joined Sarehole Environmental Action Team (SEAT) along the Greet Mill Meadows section of the Shire Country Park in their first workday of the year. www.shirecountryparkfriends.org.uk. The section of the River Cole the group manages runs from the ford in Green Road to the Stratford Rd. There are very few ‘working’ fords left in Birmingham now, so we are pleased to have it. However, the River Cole can be treacherous after rain, the water level rising quickly to sweep and trap unwary cars underneath the bridge.
This particular Sunday, the floods have retreated leaving the adjacent ground flattened and brown. This will recover but not so the layer of flimsy, sad, white plastic bags, looking like part of an unusual geological seam lying along the river banks. They lurk, trapped in mud or dangle listlessly from overhanging branches and tree roots. Larger branches with their own trapped bags lean against the stepping stones and need freeing up.
Some members of the team were litter picking but were unable to reach the rubbish overhanging, or embedded in the sides of the river. It is amazing and discouraging how much there is at each workday. In the summer a lot of it is hidden but then open tins and bottles lurk in the green to entrap tiny and unwary mammals. Volunteers do valuable and regular clean-ups.
The rest were opening up a small copse by the time I arrived. An early start was not on my agenda. A wider variety of trees will be planted eventually. Those trees and branches already down, together with those being taken down on the day were used to create a dead hedge to protect the site when the new trees are planted and to create a safe wooden highway for the wildlife. I joined in with a will, trying to look bright-eyed and bushy tailed, but probably not fooling anyone.
It was a good morning’s work. Satisfying and with good company helped by coffee and biscuits, not to mention the cake still being used up after Christmas. I am not a fan of New Year celebrations although I have a soft spot for fireworks, but enjoyed getting outside in the fresh air and helping prepare for the spring season.
I believe I have mentioned this before, but it is an ongoing truth. Conservation work is better value in several respects than a gym. It is cheaper for a start.
We are preparing now for Middle-earth Weekend at Sarehole, celebrating the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien. It will be on 11th and 12th May this year. I shall be making a few more wee wooden barrels for the barrel race along the River Cole. This is like a duck race but with (obviously) miniature wooden barrels. You will know the significance of barrels if you have read ‘The Hobbit’. It will probably feature in film two if you have not. Ours measure 3” x 2” so not suitable for floating inside.
We did not choose a very good stretch of the river last year and lost a few, so I will make some more. Those we lost are probably bobbing about in the North Sea by now. Still, unlike plastic ducks, these are wooden, and untreated and it is fun. Do come along. www.middleearthweekend.org.uk.
