Sustead Scythe and Shine

Thursday 2 July: dry and sunny, surprise surprise! A very decent gathering of Felbeck Trusty’s were set loose on Spurrell’s Wood for a gentle mid-summer spruce up. The temperature and breeze in the shelter of the woods were very pleasant for working in and most conducive for some heavy chatting.

The main task for the morning was to bring all the paths back into shape. The scythers, rakers, loppers, choppers, snippers and snappers roamed free across both sides of the lane, and snatches of song (chat) floated through the woods on the breeze. The doughnut (not the edible one) was lopped, trimmed and raked back into perfect shape and all the paths scythed. However not quite everything was about cutting and clearing: Elizabeth went AWOL to search out and give some tender loving care to previously planted whips, much appreciated and needed I am sure, and David H was, not unusually, to be found in close contact with the burbling Gur Beck at all times.

At coffee and doughnut break David H gave a very interesting explanation for his hanging about the Gur, which wasn’t really hanging about at all, but surveying in preparation for future work to improve the flow and consequently the life and health of the stream. David explained that this little stretch of the beck is already so much better for aquatic life than in surrounding areas and therefore there is great potential gain from making these small improvements. Simon and Trevor gave updates on the recent Gresham School’s work party and Alan, David B and Nigel reported on the FT stall at Natural Surrounding’s Wildflower event.

Carrying the Toolshed

After the break everyone returned to their chatting- sorry! tasks! – and the rest of the morning passed very pleasantly and productively. Trevor was known to have been fly tipping at the site – I shall not name who said this (John) – which meant a small shed (for tools) and a picnic table had to be carried to the far end of Spurrell’s Wood. Well done to those strong workers and everyone else for a good morning’s work, and thanks to Trevor, for I am sure the picnic bench will be a perfect coffee and doughnut hangout.

Carrying the Picnic Bench

The next work party is on Thursday July 16^th – venue to be confirmed.

Andrew Stokes 02/07/2026