.. Torfaen Canal Volunteer Group ..

Sunday 29th November 2009

Venue: Canal section Pontnewydd Cascades to 5 Locks

The weather was atrocious this morning, both cold and wet, but putting that aside, our trusty group of volunteers, once again turned up to `play our part `within our adopted initiative  `Pride in our Community`. With this in mind and previously having invited .... we were subsequently and enthusiastically, joined, by several Torfaen Sea Cadets, their Chairman and a parent.

The Sea Cadets are based at TS Kittiwake, Pontnewydd.

   

 I brought along a couple of nets of Daffodil and Narcissi bulbs, which we planted along the edge of the towpath; hopefully they will flourish over the forthcoming years and together with previously planted Daffodil bulbs (15years ago) on the banks of the Locks, provide a welcoming indication of `Spring time`

 

On the negative side:

Our haul this time amounted to: 12 sacks of litter, 1 shopping trolley. 1 bicycle, 1 scooter, 3 umbrellas, 4 bread crates, 3 metal rods, 1 battery powered car, 1 car wheel trim, 1 bollard.

After stopping for a welcoming coffee/ hot chocolate and biscuits, we unanimously agreed to `throw in the wet towel` and  finish a little earlier than usual ...Do you blame us folks?

.. We need your help please come and join us ..

We will meet at 10a.m. on Sunday January 10th, 2010

.. In the car park of Pontnewydd Park, Mount Pleasant road - Pontnewydd

Quick chat, grab tools and away we go .. approx.1 hr later stop for a `hospitality break and natter`, then back to work and finish 12.30-1.00p.m

Remember to dress suitably, stout footwear and gloves (No designer wear please)  ... sense of humour, most welcome ..

Sunday 25th October 2009

Venue: Canal section in front of Cwmbran Retail Park ..

.. A `motley` but enthusiastic group of `community spirited volunteers` ..

   

.. All in the spirit of `Community Pride` ..

   

Our haul this time amounted to: 15 sacks of litter, 1 scooter, 1 plastic sheeting, 1 metal pole, 1 stereo, 1 fishing rod, 1 metal barrier, 1 shopping trolley, 1 rubber mat, 1 plastic advertising board, 1 football, 1 mini rugby ball, 3 trainers, 1 boot, 1 section of plastic roadworks barrier.

There's always one folks .. yeah?

Sunday 20th September 2009

Venue: Canal section Two Locks 10a.m - 1p.m

We worked our way up to Two Locks where the majority of our work was concentrated. There was a fair amount of weed & vegetation removed from both sets of cascades to improve the water flow. Whilst removing vegetation above the top cascades, one of the group pulled out a crayfish. It is un sure as to whether it is native or the invasive American variety; being only 2-3 inches in length, it could well be native , if so then it is the first record of a crayfish in the Canal – although there have been sightings in side streams.

Our haul for the morning was: 17 sacks of litter, 2 bicycles, 3 tyres, 2 chairs, 1 traffic cone, 2 plastic buckets, 1 stacker box, 1 front wheel off a child’s motor bike.

.. Sunday 16th August 2009 ..

Venue: Canal section 5 Locks - Pontnewydd 10a.m - 1p.m

.. Not a pretty bunch , but keen and regular !!

 

.. All in a morning's work ..

 .. Cutting back shrubbery at the edge of a Lock ..

.. Assorted litter, notice the Pressure Cooker that still had food in it!! stank to high heaven

A bag of household rubbish - fly tipped !!

Together with the branches and vegetation we removed from the Lock our haul, this month, amounted to:-

15 sacks of litter, 7 shopping trolleys, 1 bicycle, 2 tricycles, 1 push chair, 2 chairs, 1 pressure cooker, 1 football, 1 rugby ball, 1 rubber dog pull ring, 1 roadwork sign, 1 wire mesh, 1 umbrella, 1 shower attachment, 1 plastic tube, 1 large bag, 1 tent, 1 biscuit tin

    

.. Our haul awaiting collection ..

One of our group remarked, to which we all agree;- "The aim of the Canal Volunteer Group is to make ourselves redundant, that is, there is no more `man made litter` in and around the canal only that which nature makes".

.. Sunday 12thJuly 2009 ..

Venue: Canal section in front of Cwmbran Retail Park.

Meeting up at 10a.m as usual, our task this morning was to remove assorted litter, trolleys, fly-tipped items and  selected vegetation that was hindering the water flow.

.. The Canal Volunteer Group .. plus one behind the camera (me).

  

.. There is no `I` in Team work  ..

... We want to be together ...

Together with the branches and vegetation we removed from the Lock our haul, this month, amounted to:-

 

10 sacks of litter, 5 trolleys, Armchair, 1T V,  1 Dvd recorder/player, 1 Gas canister, 1 shoe, Pair Doc Martins, Pair trousers, Fleece. Black recycle box, Length of rubber hose, 2 advertising boards. Tyre, Mesh fencing, Garden leaf blower, 4-way adapter/extension lead, Wooden rod, Metal grill, Wallet, containing various cards (handed in at Cwmbran Police Station)

.. On a lighter note ...

On a recent holiday to Morocco, Hugh proposed to Heather on the summit of Jebel Toubkal; at 4167 metres, the highest point in northern Africa. Must be something to do with the altitude!!! To ascertain Hugh's intent, Heather put him through it all again when they got back to their tent at Refuge Du Toubkal (3207 metres). Best Wishes both..

 

.. Sunday 10th June 2009 ..

Location: Ty Coch

Meeting up at 10a.m as usual, our task this morning was to primarily attend to a large `island` of vegetation` situated at the bottom of one of the Locks, which was impeding the necessary flow of water ..

We must of been so keen to get on with it because when I looked through my camera's view finder to take our `group photograph` all I saw was ...

 

.. and so without further ado ..

.. The group retrieves and removes a heavy  log  ..

.. after successfully securing one of our grappling hooks to the `vegetation island`, group members set about hauling it from the lock to the canal side..

We also collected 10 sacks of litter, 1 plastic bin, 1 umbrella, 1 warning sign and 1 section of iron railing

 .. PhotoQuiz ..

Who turned up hoping to be sponsored by IMMAC?

 Webmaster: Apologies to the owner of these legs as she pointed out  a `gross error` ... it wasn't IMMAC but VEET!!

.. Sunday 10th May 2009 ..

Location: Pontnewydd section `The Cascades` to 5 Locks

Here we are again folks, 14 plus the photographer (webmaster) ... just two missing, but both supplied mandatory `sick notes` ..

Happy Birthday Sam

.. 25 today ..

 

.. A selection of photos to peruse, ponder and perhaps comment on ..

     

 .. PhotoQuiz ..

Who turned up hoping to be sponsored by IMMAC?

Our Haul amounted to:

26 sacks of litter, 1 shopping trolley, 1 black recycle box, 3 umbrellas, 1 pushchair, 2 CCTV cameras, 1 car tyre, 1 section of car grill, 1 duvet, 1 rucksack, 1 newsagent’s display board, 1 wooden electric pipe reel, 1 car registration plate, 3 balls, 1 curtain pole, 1 section of metal rail, 1 fishing rod.

This happy bunch of `nomads` named the Bristol Ramblers, commented on our `excellent work` and how they enjoyed coming to Wales  ... and for only a Ł5.30 entry fee!!

*Alvin Nicholas, Blaenafon Heritage Ranger (Torfaen County Borough Council) has now become the Councils `Lead Man` for the `Group` and  although our `future` is uncertain,  we look forward to a `positive` outcome which will benefit, Cwmbran, the Canal and it's Environment .

..Sunday 19th April 2009 ..

At 10.a.m, on a glorious Spring morning, our ever expanding group `smile for the obligatory photoshoot`; several new `volunteers` were made welcome, along with our friends from the Mon, Brecon & Abergavenny Canal Trust. Our task this month was to clear up the section of canal in front of the Cwmbran Retail Park.

.. A selection of photos to peruse, ponder and perhaps comment on ..

The Calories will end up on the Hips, Girls ..

.. A `selection of our Collection` ..

 .. Hugh's "On the case!" ..

Fresh Water Mussels- a `positive indication of a healthy fresh water environment.

A Mallard Duck's nest ... strange setting though?

Our Haul amounted to:

27 sacks of litter, 19 trolleys, 7 car tyres, 1 bicycle tyre, 1 bicycle, 4 traffic cones , 2 plastic roadworks barriers, 2 `Pets at Home` plastic boxes, 1 `Pets at Home pallet,  3 chairs, 3 umbrellas, 1 `B & Q` plastic litter bin, 1 suitcase, 1 computer keyboard, 1 rucksack, 1 rugby ball, 1 ball, Section of plastic piping, 1 pond pump, 1 plastic bucket, 3 bread crates, 1 TV, 1 carpet.

 

.. All this in just 3 hours .. hard work but satisfying to know  "we played our part` - Pride in Our Community ..

*The group decided to return several B&Q trolleys to their `rightful owners` and so we wheeled them into the store and asked to see the Manager. Mr. Paul Beaman was pleased to receive the store's trolleys and kindly donated 3 rolls of bin liners in appreciation of our `work`.

n.b.  Asda & Wilkinson trolleys were also `collected` on the day ..

Appreciative letters, emails, letters in the Argus /Free Press etc; would be very welcome and would, I'm sure would encourage other `like minded` folk to join our Group and be part of the ..

.. `Pride in Our Community` initiative ..

.. I invite your comments/views .. please click here to email me ..

We will meet again, at 10a.m. on Sunday 10th May, 2009 in the car park of Pontnewydd park (Mount Pleasant road)

.. Why not pop along and join us?

.. Sunday 15th March 2009 ..

.. Here we are again folks, our `motley crew` of volunteers including several from the Monmouthshire Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust,  posing for our/my obligatory photo .. minus 4 extra who just wanted to `get on with it` ..

This month, we once again, returned to the Pontnewydd section from Maendy Way, up through the  `Cascades` towards Five Locks

Removing cans & bottles from the `Cascades`

.. Half Time break ... time for a chat and a hot drink ..

.. Time to `call it a day` ... Lunch beckons! ..

Our Haul amounted to:

30 sacks of litter-(Glass bottles, plastic bottles and Aluminium drink cans were separated out for recycling), 8 bicycles, 2 tricycles, 2 car tyres, 2 shopping trolleys, 1 chair, 1 skateboard, 1 watering can, 1 lawn mower, 2 hanging baskets, 1 metal frame,  Flower pots, Bowls / buckets, 1 fishing rod, 1 fishing net, 4 metal rods, Various bits of wood, Various toys, Various items of footwear, 2 tennis balls...Plus the usual assortment of branches & logs.

.. Shopping Trolley - Wheels etc; Cans - Plastic and Glass bottles ..

 The `group` encountered several horse riders using the towpath, one of the riders asked us to keep still whilst they passed as not to `spook` their horses, which we duly did, however it must be noted that the Canal towpath is open to pedestrians, wheelchairs and bicycles (as part of National Cycle route 46). Horses are NOT permitted.   ...  the horses also left several of their `calling cards` which although `good for the roses` would not be nice if `trod in` or adhered to the wheels of a children's buggy or disabled persons electric wheelchair.  ... maybe the riders should have dismounted and collected the `droppings` as responsible dog owners are doing.