CROW (Conserve Reading on Wednesdays)
Thursday, 27th December 2018
Padworth Common ~ Scrub clearance

Our last task of the year to which we had invited members of the West Berkshire Countryside Society. Our last task of 2017 had also been planned for Padworth Common but had to be cancelled at the last moment because of snow, this year we had only to contend with thick mist.

The task was to clear the pine and birch scrub from an area of heather and grass itself isolated from the surrounding common apart from a narrow corridor, by stands of pine and birch

As with the previous week's task, a bonfire was not only needed to burn the scrub but also to bake the lunchtime potatoes.

Unfortunately the smoke from the fire did little to easy the gloom.

Lunch!!!

As work resumed after lunch the sun finally broke through.

By early afternoon the area was clear .....

and there was little left to do other than relax and enjoy the remains of the fire .....

..... which seemed a fitting end to the year.

Updated: Tuesday, 23rd July 2019
Photographs: Alan Stevens; John Lerpiniere