Chris Boxall reports:
The first working party on our Common was held on Saturday morning 10 Dec 2011. Conditions were cold and dry after a frost; very pleasant after all the recent wind and rain. The objective was to start clearing the area called The Entanglement, just past the boardwalk. As the photos show the area began as a tangle of saplings, small trees, nettles, holly and brambles and ended pristine, with a brand new hedge. Twelve of us did all this. Chris Parker, our SMBC Neighbourhood Coordinator brought lots of tools and bin bags and much enjoyed playing with his machete. Catney was represented by the Hoggs, the Jervises (+ Stephie), Sheila Shand, Viv Dobson and myself. The work is being done in conjunction with Hampton Parish Council which was represented by the Lewises. Gil Lewis is the Parish Chairman. The clever bit was to make a hedge out of the cuttings, following the design of Ray Parker, also of Hampton Parish. This creates an attractive barrier and fauna habitat. And most importantly, it reduces the amount of material that we needed to remove afterwards! The supervisor was a little robin who hopped around us the whole time. So with the efforts of Hampton Parish, SMBC and Catney Residents Association there is now a very real improvement to the Common.
But we are not leaving it there, as there is much more to do. The next working party is on Saturday 25th February from 10am to noon. Do please come along, you will be very welcome. So what are you waiting for? Go and have a look. And if you have any ideas about how the Common can be developed please do drop Frances Cook, our secretary, a line on secretary@catney.co.uk

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