Wed 3rd Oct 2018 - Flowers Brook, Ventnor. GG # 755.

Mark's Photographs.

As mentioned in last week's blog, Flowers Brook has to be one of the Team GG favourite venues... always a pleasure to work there..! Before we could actually get to the site itself, we had to negotiate some rather serious road works but the nice gentlemen from Island Roads had been briefed about out arrival and we were soon safely parked up on the grass. The work list was very simple, just help the group of local volunteers to cut back the summer growth along the stream, around the pond area and down the length of the waterfall - easy peasy...:-) Considering that we are now into October, we had glorious sunny weather with the temperature a good 5 degrees C above the average for this time of year - nice. Our tea break was a little different this week as Alison decided that we would have an alfresco "Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning" so....several people brought along cake and it was sold with the proceeds going to Cancer Support. I will let you know how much she made once all the pennies have been counted (see message below). All in all a very enjoyable session where Team GG were able to help make a considerable impression on this beautiful little sanctuary.

A message from Alison.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Macmillan Coffee morning today (not forgetting Island Roads and the Friends of Flowers Brook).  I counted up all the pennies and it came to a whopping £161.60 - all now safely banked.  

Many thanks to Mark for taking the photographs this week.

GG 15th Birthday @ Cockleton Meadows - Colour Supplement.

During the session, Martin and Mark took these photographs showing the wide variety of work that was undertaken. Thanks for submitting them ...! Attached at the end is the press release for the event.

Saturday 29th Sept.... I have just looked at the County Press web site and they have included the press release...! Not sure if it will be in the paper as I no longer take a copy. Try this link to have a look see... 16909774.isle-of-wight-green-gym-celebrates-700th-milestone

Martin's Photographs.

Mark's Photographs.

The Press Release....

News Release:   26th September 2018

IW Green Gym landmark – 15 years!

In this day and age it’s rare to find things that last. Groups get set up and then funding ends and they close again. That’s not the case with the Isle of Wight Green Gym – 15 years after they were set up they are still going strong as a self-sustaining group. 

It has meant that over 750 three hour conservation sessions have taken place. 

The Island’s countryside has benefitted of course, as has the community for as well as doing the task for the week it provides a social gathering, friends mingle and chat whilst working. That is the case with lots of volunteering, it should always be a two way process.  Guided by the seasons the group’s work, using only hand tools, is practical in nature, providing real gains to fitness and hopefully to the Island’s wildlife.

This week the group were working at Cockleton Meadow in Gurnard, a lovely location to mark the group’s 700th session! The site has a team of local volunteers, supported by Gurnard Parish Council and is also one of the ‘Gift to Nature’ sites. The milestone involved lots of cake to celebrate (any excuse of course) and might well cause many of the group to cast their minds back over so many IWGG locations and achievements over the years.  

IWGG’s committee work hard to keep the group going and pay tribute to the many hundreds of volunteers who have attended. They have a number of hardy stalwarts who started volunteering with them back in 2003 including Derek Comper, Geoff Harris and their Chairman, Mark Russell.  Mark said 

“It’s a long time, but when reflecting upon our involvement in projects over the years, I can see the real benefits. I’d like to pay tribute to everyone who participate each week, whatever the weather. Also to our supporters, we work with many larger charities on the Island, and local councils and the IW Council as well as schools and churches. Thank you!”

The group size varies each week but can sometimes be in the 30s, the group can get a lot done in the three hours.  They have helped wildlife conservation or access to the countryside at more than 180 different sites since 2003.

For more details of the IW Green Gym visit iwgreengym.org.uk 

N

Notes 

Wed 26th Sept 2018 - Cockleton Meadows, Gurnard. GG # 754.

Terry's Photographs.

Work starts on up-cycling pallets into seating units.

"Ready....steady....GO...!"

Clearing the area for the new seating arrangement.

Tidying up down by the pond area.

"Harvesting" the cut grass.

The wonderful birthday cake...VERY yummy...!

Team GG attending the birthday bash.

"The Boss" does the honours cutting the cake.

Installing the new seating.

Team GG were at one of our favourite venues this week.....Cockleton Meadows which also happened to be our 15th Birthday..!!! One thing you can always be very certain of when we visit here, we will NEVER be short of work. This time around we were involved with re-pegging the car park matting, converting pallets into seating, clearing & levelling areas of land, general gardening jobs around the site, raking up the previously cut grass and numerous other tasks. Martin certainly kept us on our toes for the whole time :-) Come tea break it was off to the excellent picnic area for a Team GG photo shoot with the cake and then all tuck in, washed down with copious amounts of tea and coffee. Being a birthday bash, this was a very well attended meeting and the weather was unseasonably warm with clear blue skies. (obviously, Mark had  arranged this for us..!)

Many thanks to Terry for taking the photographs this week and to Pam for making that amazing cake...!

Before you turn hit the "OFF" button... have a look at the Colour Supplement.

Wed 19th Sept 2018 - Dodnor Creek LNR, Newport. GG # 753.

Mark's Photographs.

This week we were back at the Dickson's Copse / Dodnor Creek LNR site to continue the work we had started last week. This time we concentrated on the footpath that leads from the cycle path, alongside the creek and down to the old mill wall by the River Medina. Much earlier this year we started trying to infill the somewhat damaged chestnut fencing using locally sourced material - this session we were continuing that job. Initially it appeared that the numbers attending this session were down but by the time work got underway a few more GGmers had arrived to swell the work force. A very windy, rather grey day with the occasional rain shower but on the plus side, it was pleasantly warm..! This will be the last time we will be working at this site  as part of the special funding that had been allocated but hopefully GG will be back here again soon to continue the good work done to date. Lots of notices from Mark about upcoming events - so keep an eye on your e-mail in tray over the next few days..!

A big thanks to Mark for taking the photographs this week.