There she blows!

Thursday 7th May

Today, six of the team reported for duty on a warm, sunny day.

A big treat at lunchtime was the sight of Stanway Fountain being powered up - such a fine sight!  We all met up at the new drainage system at the top of the embankment at the Stowe Road. over-bridge at Toddington, hence the view of Stanway.  Fencing in the system was the aim of the day and this meant nine upright posts and four (GWR style) horizontal bars screwed to the posts.  Polly was our expert alignment operative, with his extensive building experience and his insistence upon all things being in line and square.

Jonathan and Dave were dispatched to collect the Postcrete from our supplier at Honeybourne (and enjoying a JT-inspired café stop on the way back).  The rest of us followed Polly’s lead and set out the post positions.  Ian was PIC, (Person in Charge) and therefore takes the blame for any cock-ups discovered later.  One-armed Martin was protecting his still-poorly wrist and was keen that Ian should not go the way of his injury while he manfully operated the new petrol-powered augur.  His cries of “Ouch!” And “This thing is violent!” were met by team member Peter with suggestions of him being glad that he was not on the “driving” end!   It was clear that a pilot hole dug by hand made life easier for the “augurist”, so Martin, Peter and Dave set to.  This improved life for the muppet operating the augur, with extra hands occasionally applied.

Holes dug, post were set in and checked for alignment so then water and Postcrete could be thrown in the hole, Polly’s magic spirit level satisfied us that posts were upright and within a very short time were securely in place.  While Ian and Martin worked to measure and cut the horizontals, the rest of the team secured them to the posts and thereby enclosed the new pair of chambers within railway property.  Both chambers were completed and covered, so now we await a real downpour to see if the solution we have implemented really does handle the flooding for which this location is renowned.  We hope that the neighbours in the railway cottages opposite would benefit from our work, but this remains to be seen.  Talking of neighbours, having Jonathan on the team regularly ensures that our relationship with them is eased and working at this entrance of a farmer’s field was no exception.  We were observed, but not interrupted or prevented from using the entrance for parking and material storage.

Carefully positioning the fence around the new gully chamber. [Photo by Dave]

Polly checking the corner post is vertical in both planes. [Photo by Dave]

The roadside sections of fence complete. [Photo by Dave]

 

Peter, Ian and Jonathan working on the uprights for the field-side fence sections. [Photo by Dave]

The resulting enclosed space now looks like GWR fencing, with a neat removable set of bars to allow the egress of the robot flail and the parking of its delivery vehicle safely off the main road.  The passengers will, as usual, be unaware that the new drainage system is even there,  Merely the absence of a flood up top and the sight of water draining into our downside cess would show success and something only the observant would appreciate.  Much of our work falls into this category of absolutely necessary, but rarely seen.  It is unlikely that the television cameras due to film our line in a couple of weeks will show any more than an inspection chamber cover.  However, we know and the permanent way above, below and alongside our culverts will be more permanent for our efforts.  Our workplace is a free gymnasium for all the team and indeed a temple for some.  Not bad value at all.

Today's team - (L to R) Dave, Jonathan, Polly, Peter, Martin, with the Stanway fountain in the background.. [Photo by Ian]

The completed field side fence. [Photo by Ian]

Wildlife report: Do sheep count?  Plenty were observed in the field and a deer was seen cantering across the field of verdant grass/. The team encouraged it not to clear the face and cross the road.  Much birdsong surrounded us, with wrens, blackbirds and robins all having their say.  The passing of Betton Grange and the Bubble car showed plenty of wildlife at table.