Had a walk around yesterday and today. We will be looking to mesh a few platforms as mentioned earlier so hammers, tape and snips will be needed. I am hoping we can find someone who can measure to cut the mesh for those stapling it to the platforms.

The area below the newly installed Pug Bay Carpark land  drain needs filling in where the water has eroded the bank. If someone can bring a trailer we can take sand from near the toolshed and use that to fill up. Hoping John S can get the plate whacker to lay it down. We will need a few spades to load the trailer so if you could stick one in your car that would be great.

Talking of spades, shovels and the such the ditch behind the new bank on Walden needs clearing out a little. Wellies will be needed.

A few chippings need to be put down on the main lane going down towards the portacabin. This should only take a couple of barrow loads as the lane is steadily improving after previous remedial work. The ideal job for Waldorf and Staedler I would have thought. There are a couple of potholes at the entrance to the Walden Stables side. Again a trailer would be useful here so if you can help.........one trip should do it.

We hope to start putting some steps down to the swims at the back of the Pug. There does seem to be a natural pathway to follow. While we can't put steps in all of the way we can do something about the particularly steep sections. We have sleepers and telegraph poles for the risers and returns, (pretty technical huh!), and can fill in with chippings. I am hoping scaffold tube and poles can hold these in position and I will try to get them over there ready at some time this week. Chainsaws, sledge, shovels and mattocks needed. We'll need a van or trailer to get the sleepers and poles up there. May need the genny and a angle grinder to cut the tube off. Mike O'G has the geeny but someone needs to pick it up from Fishcakes - any volunteers?

Give me a bell if you think you can supply some tools or if you notice one of the many requirements I am bound to have missed. Alternatively put it on here so we can all see who can help with what.

We can let you have a cuppa and a biskit and a good crack but please bring your own croust. It was a fantastic turn out at Walden - hoping it will be as good or better here. Makes you feel all the effort is worthwhile.

Hopefully it will be dry and a good morning will be had by all.

Other news about the site. The club are in the process of applying for a grant along with some private funding to get all the rhodos removed from the site. While this won't cost the club it will free up time and enable us to do other things to improve the lake and its surrounds. We have soldiered long and hard on this task and if we can get it done for us for free it seems too good an opportunity to miss. The removal of the rhodos has been discussed elsewhere but for those who missed it their removal  was a requirement of the original agreement the club made with the EA. It was also recommended by Sparsholt College to allow more light into the margins of the lakes to encourage production of natural food. More recently we have been advised by FERA and the Forestry Commission that the rhodos carry a pathogen that will kill our native trees like oak, ash, beech and so on. If our site were to become infected then removal would become compulsory. It seems prudent to do it while grants are availble. Our own Ollie Bettison is well versed on this subject and has been involved in the removal of rhodos for this reason himself. I am sure he will be delighted to answer any queries you might have on the subject at the work party.

Got tapes, snips, hammers,shovel mattock/pick and angle grinder if needed, and an old red van!

                              Halfday....

Think I may have to open a soup kitchen or summit for starving anglers, JJ I will send you a detailed recipe on how to make a sandwich, Knob!

Put me and Andy down for fishcakes plus tea will bring own shovel.

Forecast changed from being dry all weekend to p*ss*ng down all weekend in the space of a few hours yesterday. Will have to see how things go and make a decision closer to the time if it looks dodgy. I will be over there so you can ring me if you are in doubt. Don't want anyone making long journeys for nothing.

Edited a few hours later. Now going to be dry all Sunday with the possibility of a little rain in the evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!

should be there but don,t have a wheel barrow, got some hammers though.

good effort by the boys, well done

Sorry guys but can't make tomorrow I have been delayed on a job which I 've gotta get done, sorry.

Not going into detail as I am sure Dave will, but what a turn out and very well organized. Thank you to all that made it great effort and cheers Dave for all your work sorting out all the jobs.

PS Halfdays brownies......OMFG... will you marry me???

OUTSTANDING!!!!!
The work of three work parties got done today I reckon, run like a military operation and as always a good crack. Tea, coffee, soup and cake my god the caterers excelled today...
While having a breather I looked around Waldon and there was bodies everywhere, hammering and banging, chainsaws singing, barrows and shovels rattling the chippings into place but laughter could be heard over the top of all this, yes one of the best work parties yet I reckon, and more new faces, that's brilliant!
Commitment like this will make for a year of lots done and more time to fish, which would be good for everyone.
Well done everybody involved..

ps No JJ your a great guy but not marriage material

Back off Tony he's spoken for!!

Now look lads, as flattered as I am, lets not fall out over this. If you cant share nicely, I wont bake!
Now you've been warned,
REQUESTS FOR CAKES ETC ARE TAKEN, Please give plenty of notice to avoid disappointment...

So glad that there was another fantastic turnout. Once again sorry I could'nt be there, but at the rate work is coming in, if I even see a lake this year it will be a miracle.lol