Fun at the Mill

Rissington Mill, on the river Dikler

Phase 1 of bank clearance, team well earned break

Bonfire working well

Mandy up the tree, John in deep water

Dikler bank cleared, bonfire roaring away

potential future work downstream!

Joined another large Wildlife trust team led by Will and John at Rissington Mill on Wednesday, not Sherborne as usual since Mike was on a course (you never stop learning in the countryside). Another good location, by the river Dikler and on land which surrounds the Rissington Mill, the mill  sadly no longer in operation.

Another mild November day for some classic river bank clearance to benefit the water vole mainly but it also improves the look of the riverside environment. This task continued the good work of last year in this location yet the new growth in the meantime still provided plenty more to do. With the Dikler water level high,  running fast and the overgrowing shrub {blackthorn & willow} uncomfortably far from the bank the risks of an 'early bath' were high. This time Mandy disappointed but did come close especially when climbing an overhanging willow to trim it back. The good news was an impressive bonfire was built to dispose of the lighter brash and debris {larger wood pieces were carefully placed in the nearby hedge line}. The bonfire provided plenty of heat for drying after any unplanned dips into the river but extra care over the flying embers was needed especially for me without hair or a hat!. Although the team of workers was large the long stretch of river bank being worked ensured sufficient space for all plus plenty to do. The first break in work provide the bonus of some tasty cakes baked by one of the volunteers. I left early again but the positive impact on the river bank was already clear to see, so another rewarding experience ticked off.

Martin Harper's latest blog illustrates the current spate of attacks on the 'conservation communities' a soft target for the mainly well to do hunting & shooting communities with too much time, too much money and little rational/factual argument. No one supporting conservation pretends everything is perfect but on too few resources, small numbers of lowly paid professionals and a healthy set of volunteers its been doing pretty well to stave of disaster in our natural world. I don't see the government or anyone else stepping forward to help conservation although I highly commend those small minority of farmers & gamekeepers who more than hold their own.