Wednesday 27th May 2026 - Newclose Cricket Ground, Newport GG #1082

 Terry's photos

We returned to Newclose Cricket Ground this week to continue with the tidy-up of the beds and borders started two weeks ago.  I’ve just reviewed the photos on the blog of that previous session and note that the weather was very different!  We were all wearing coats…. today was very hot – hats, sunscreen and hydration were key to our efforts.   

Further work was required on the large bed to the front of the clubhouse and it is expected that shrubs will be planted there.  GG-ers also weeded the areas around the benches on the pitch side of the clubhouse and the beds at the far end of the building.

Thanks to Terry for the photos and to Newclose Cricket Ground for the refreshments.

 

Wednesday 20th May 2026 - Merstone Stream, Blackwater GG #1081

 Terry's photos

Raring to go...

He's so happy!!

Hurray!  We’re back to pulling Himalayan Balsam!  We have visited this site for quite a number of years now and can definitely see a difference.  The first half of the morning was spent looking for HB and finding very few.  However, just before our tea break we struck gold and found two dense patches of HB (probably from just a couple of plants that had seeded).  So after the tea, biscuits and chitchat we returned to those two areas and cleared them.  Access to the plants is quite an issue so planks are used to cross the stream, silty muddy areas negotiated and brambles and nettles subdued.

After our session we held our AGM in the events room at PC’s Café in Watergate Road.  Fourteen of us attended – thank you to all for your support.

Thank you to Terry for the photos and to PC’s Café for accommodating us.

Wednesday 13th May 2026 - Newclose Cricket Ground, Newport GG #1080

 Terry's photos

It was a good central location for us all today – Newclose Cricket Ground, just outside Newport.  We were tasked with helping to keep the beds and borders under control.  They had been left untended for quite a while, so the weeds and brambles were rampant.  We were hampered by hard, dry ground and the weather today!  It was very windy and we had both rain and sun.  The team set-to and accomplished quite a tidy up. 

Thanks to Newclose Cricket Ground for the refreshments and to Terry for the photos.

 

Wednesday 6th May 2026 - West Wight Sports Centre, Freshwater GG #1079

 Terry's photos

We returned to the West Wight this week for only the second time this year.  This time we were at West Wight Sports Centre, last visited a year ago.  We were asked to help manage the beds and borders surrounding the site.  The team set to work and cleared weeds, trimmed shrubs and had a good tidy up. 

The Sports Centre is a vital part of the community, and it was very busy – a lot of people passed by and were kind enough to comment on our work.  We were also visited by three ex GG-ers – it was great to see them and have a catch up.

Thank you to WWSC for the refreshments and to Terry for the photos.