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Help The Chiltern Society
Following their resolution at the AGM to help the Chiltern Society to keep the footpaths
and bridleways in tip top form four members of the committee joined one of the regular
working parties.
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On a bright Wednesday morning we joined 12 regular volunteers to clear a 200-yard section
of a bridelway at Bix. Having collected an assortment of saws, loppers and shears we set
off up the path and set to work. As it was a bridleway we were instructed to clear a path
of six feet wide and enough headroom for a horse and rider to get underneath. Someone
mentioned a horse of sixteen hands! As well as the
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humble hand tools most of us used,
two highly trained volunteers had power tools for the big jobs. A lot of cutting was done
as well as lots of talk and laughter. In no time at all, the welcome shout of `tea break`
was heard. An enjoyable fifteen-minute stop ensured and tea, coffee and biscuits consumed.
The day concluded with us all going to the pub for lunch and although it was our first joint
effort with the Chiltern Society we were made extremely welcome. At the pub three members
of the Oxfordshire Countryside Services who are responsible for paths in the area joined us.
Over lunch I got to find out more about the work that the society does from one of the
organisers Peter Harden. Last year he told me, the volunteers had cleared five miles of
paths, mowed three miles of grass and had chalked up over eight hundred man/women hours!
I discovered that the volunteers are all ages, sizes and both men and women help out.
You don’t even have to be a keen gardener! I thoroughly enjoyed my morning out with the
volunteers, seeing what a fantastic job they do to keep the paths clear for us all to
enjoy. The picture shows Susan Maguire, chairperson of H&G attacking a wayward shrub.
Workdays are Wednesday and Saturdays once a month. Peter will be glad to give you more
details on 01491 837688.
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Brian Maunder
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