August Bank Holiday Boat Trips

Three Shires on her first trip after launching at Denton Wharf

Were all very familiar with the view from the towpath (NCN 15) along the the Grantham Canal, but the Grantham Canal Society are giving people an opportunity of different view of the canal from Harlaxton Wharf this Sunday (11-4) and Monday (10-4) where they will be running their trip boat Three Shires for 40 minute cruises at very reasonable prices of £2 (adult) and £1 (child).

Workday Reminder, Wednesday 28th August

Just a quick reminder for next weeks previously announced date for a workday at the milepost in Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham. Full details are here.
The job in hand is to paint the milepost, I'll provide paint and brushes so just please bring along your artistic flare and painting gloves, etc.
Also looking at the way the evenings are currently going I am suggesting putting the start time back by 30 minutes to 17:30 with a no later than 19:30 finish, but if you find you can still only start at 18:00 then no worries.

See you soon.

Two productive Sundays

A lighter path shows the width when visited.

The last two Sunday workdays has seen John and myself on the old railpath of NCR 15 close to Woolsthorpe Top Lock with a job in hand to open up the entrance to the path and make more inviting and safer to users.

A heavily overgrown narrow path with brambles, nettles challenging users was soon fought back to expose the paths edges covered by at least 4-5 years of soil and vegetation build up during the first date. With the 11th workday also meeting at the same location as previously announced we both agreed a return visit was needed.

Today was less hacking and more scrapping with the entrance now clear of build up and a well polished surface thanks to John's hardy yard brush which soon had praise of thanks from passing cyclists and walkers.

This is not the only work that has recently been done on the path, 10 days ago I met with Barry Brooks, Sustrans maintenance officer for the routes in Lincs/Notts which saw him come for a site visit for Grantham to learn the access points, etc for his future visits. With the day being fine he took the opportunity to bring his small tractor which has grass cut a half metre verge each side of the path from Muston to the seating area near the milepost.

Barry will be returning to the area in around 3-4 weeks with Marcus Hopton, (previous maintenance officer- now 1 day contractor) to work on the rest of the route.

Summer Workdays

A bit like the weather this year I've been a bit slow in kicking off the workdays, etc. but with the following dates now set out I am sure we can get back into the swing of things along the NCN,

I've set out 4 dates during August and September with no more than two hours of activity as usual, as we progress along I shall add more on. But do let me know if you have preference on days and timings and work, it's always hard to please everyone but I am sure we can work something out.

I do hope you can join in and look forward to seeing you soon.

So here goes...
NCR15 Railpath Maintenance 1.
Sunday August 4th, 10:00- 12:00
Meet at the milepost, Woolsthorpe top lock, Grantham Canal. Map detail here.
Notes: Starting at the Woolsthorpe end we shall progress north clearing the worst of vegetation as we go along, any unfinished areas can be looked at the next date. Please bring along if possible any suitable tools for the job in hand.

NCR15 Railpath Maintenance 2.
Sunday August 11th, 10:00- 12:00
Meet at the milepost, Woolsthorpe top lock, Grantham Canal. Map detail here.
Notes: Carrying on from the work at the last date heading towards the Muston entrance of the railpath. Please bring along if possible any suitable tools for the job in hand.

Milepost painting.
Wednesday August 28th, 18:00- 20:00 17:30- 19:30 (time change due to light)
Meet at the milepost, Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham. Map detail here.
Notes: An evenings job whilst hopefully not to hot to paint the milepost in the north end of the park. Brushes and paint will be provided but please bring a pair of gloves, etc for painting.

Final details here for below date.
Sunday September 8th, 10:00- 12:00

Celebrate the Fledborough Murals

Picnic on the Bridge is being organised by the Newark & Retford volunteer groups to celebrate the completion of the Lottery and Sustrans funded project to decorate a minimum of 50 panels on Fledborough Viaduct. The panels have been painted by local people of all ages under the supervision of Newark artist James Mayle.

You can enjoy a walk or cycle along part of the Dukeries Trail with great views across the Trent Valley and view the panels as you cross the viaduct. There will be food and drink stalls (see foot of poster) including a bike powered smoothie maker. There will also be a chance to meet the people who did the paintings.

Some photos of the most recent painting sessions can be viewed here.

If you've not yet been there you can access the Viaduct via the Dukeries Trail (NCN 647) with the nearest access points being between North and South Clifton (just over half a mile) or between Normanton and Ragnall (just over a mile). Parking is limited (more about this nearer the time at http://sustransnewarkbikes.wordpress.com/) so we'd encourage you to walk or cycle a bit further than the minimum!

Useful cycling maps of the Dukeries Trail and surrounding area can be found at the following links:
The Dukeries Trail map, Lincoln and surrounding area map, Newark and Sherwood map.

We look forward to meeting you on the viaduct on a warm and sunny Saturday 13 July.

If your able to give some time to help out on the day, be it on the Sustrans information stand, smoothie maker, etc then please do get in touch with me. All hands welcome.