Transforming Didsbury Park: A Day of Volunteer Efforts and Innovations
TODAY
On a cold but thankfully dry day today we welcomed 26 volunteers who worked hard on a long list of projects designed to smarten up the park.
WET WEATHER CAUSING FLOODING PROBLEMS
Whilst the drainage we installed last year around the roundabout has performed exceptionally well in the recent long spell of wet weather, we have a number of other areas in the park which we have not yet worked on, which are still susceptible to flooding.
Picture 1 shows one of the worst sections of pathway along the top of the park near the children's playground. This morning we were very grateful to Allan and Gill B for starting to create a series of soakaway gullies in these worst flooded sections. Picture 2 shows Allan and Gill B working their way along this section of path and already, in comparison with picture 1, there has been a remarkable improvement. Thank you both - this was a great piece of work.
AN EXPERIMENT IN INTRODUCING SOME CULTURE INTO DIDSBURY PARK!!
Picture 3 shows Gill N and Grace threading garden wire through some lovely pieces of natural wood containing some thought-provoking quotes from Shakespeare in lovely calligraphy.
This project was inspired and created by Greg and contains some fascinating quotes which were installed throughout the park by Gill and Grace this morning . This is very much an experimental project and we are very interested to see what the reaction will be from park visitors. Thank you Greg, Gill and Grace. Please do let us know what you think?
THE NEW BENCH INSTALLATION
Work continued today on the installation of the hardstanding for the repaired picnic bench which is currrently stored in the wild flower meadow area. Picture 4 shows the heavy gang of Gary, Murray and Steve having completed the digging out of the area, ready to cement in the remainder of the concrete edging next week. Thank you guys. Great progress!
NEWLY PAINTED PARK ENTRANCE
Picture 5 shows Sandra and Carl M busy painting the gated pedestrian entrance from Sandhurst Road. With help from Lis, the painting of the whole of this entrance was completed this morning.
The resulting transformation has been amazing. This whole entrance now looks smart and welcoming. Thank you Lis, Sandra and Carl. Fabulous result!
PREPARATION OF WILD FLOWER MEADOW
Picture 6 shows the team of Jude. Ilma, Julie D and Kevin who worked on the initial preparation of the wild flower meadow ready for sowing next week. Thank you all.
CAREFUL HAND WEEDING AND FEEDING
Picture 7 shows the specialist team of Wendy. Tristan and Anne undertaking the careful horticultural work of handweeding the flower bed at the roundabout so as not to disturb the emerging spring bulbs. Following their work at the roundabout the team then moved on to successfully weed the triangular bed.
Especial thanks must go to Anne, who then single handedly moved on to weed the 2 rose beds near the shelter and feed all the roses with a good supply of rose food, Well done everyone!
THREE NEW TREES PLANTED IN THE PARK TODAY!
A huge thank you to Justin who carefully nurtured 2 oak trees and a rowan tree over a number of years at home until they became 3 very healthy saplings. Justin then donated them to the park this morning. Thank you to Dominique and Gary M who went and collected them from Justin's house.
Picture 8 is a rare selfie of the team of me, with Gary and Sandra who later in the morning planted them at the back of the woodland area - a quiet area where they will have every chance of maturing successfully. Thank you to everybody who helped!
THE BATTLE OF THE BIRD GARDEN!
It is a common sight in Didsbury Park to see dogs chasing the squirrels and for the squirrels to escape by just running up the nearest tree or nipping through the hedge into the Bird Garden where dogs are not allowed. Unfortunately the Didsbury Park dogs do not always read the signs (and possible £1000 fine) and try and follow the squirrels through the hedge, often to the consternation of the dog owner.
We are therefore, (especially at this time of year when the new growth has not yet been established in the hedge) in a constant battle to close up any new holes found / created in the hedge by the dogs.
Picture 9 shows Roger our 'expert' hedge hole repairer with his dog who is equally an 'expert' hedge hole finder, as Roger prepares a piece of wire fencing to block up another hole. The battle of the Bird Garden continues! Thanks Roger!
THE POPPY PATH
Picture 10 shows Robin and Dominique returning to the park after doing a huge amount of work clearing ivy from the Poppy Path this morning. They did so much work that we will require a separate green waste skip on the path to remove all the waste.
Great work Robin and Dominique. Thank you.
ELSEWHERE IN THE PARK
Thank you to Alan for working on the large amounts of epicormic growth on a couple of trees near the children's playground. A great result Alan.
Thank you to David for tidying up the Gillbrook Road entrance area. Thank you David.
COMING SOON
I have now secured invitations for all those volunteers who requested to attend the Lord Mayor's Afternoon Tea, to celebrate being awarded the King's Voluntary Service Award in November 2023. I hope everybody enjoys it.
The Beavers have asked if they can visit us at 2pm this Saturday for a short talk & demonstration of what we do. If you are interested please do come along
For all those volunteers who are also members of FoDP, a reminder that the FoDP AGM is to be held next Monday evening at 7pm in the Didsbury Neighbourhood Centre. I hope you will be able to attend.
Thank you once again for your continued amazing support.