This month the Environment Trust's volunteers were assigned an unusual task, but one that perfectly sums up the nature of our work, combining protection of the natural and built environment, for the benefit of people and wildlife. Working on a delightful stretch of the River Thames towpath between Chiswick Bridge and Barnes Bridge, the group, made up mostly of boys from Tower House School, their parents and teachers, cleared away decades of accumulated mud from an historic riverside wharf. Initially, almost unrecognisable under the mud, after three hours of hard, back-breaking work, cobbles and rail tracks were revealed. The wharf would originally have been used by the Stag Brewery at Mortlake for loading and unloading goods and materials to and from boats. Although the brewery has long-sinced turned its back on the river, and the old wharf has been abandoned, now that the cobbles and rails have been uncovered, not only is there a story to tell, but also the area is more attractive as a place to rest at this picturesque spot. As the wharf is near to the finish line of the famous University Boat Race, it is also a popular location from which to watch Oxford and Cambridge do battle.
Before
After
Work in progress
I'm glad I moved my car!
Meanwhile, not far away at Kilmorey Mausoleum Garden ...
A keen group of girls from Marymount School were wielding secateurs to cut a wall of ivy down to size. The garden at Kilmorey is a delight at any time of the year, but it's only thanks to Claire and the team of volunteers. The Marymount girls were up to the task of cutting back the ivy, which can only be done in the autumn when there's no danger of disturbing nesting birds. Another task was clearing duck weed from the pond to allow other plants to thrive. Thanks go to Linda for supplying the photos.
