Club Pit update for MAY 2008

There is loads going on down at our club pit at the moment so for those of you that are in the dark this will get you up to date.

First off we have been felling lots of trees around the lake on the advice of the Environment Agency. This serves to purposes, firstly it means less leafs falling into the lake which is fuelling the nutrients that are creating the big weed growths in early summer months. Secondly it will allow more wind and light to reach the lake which will help get oxygen levels up and create plant growth.

Here's some pictures of the tree felling

Clearing the path way for the fence to go up has been very hard work and we have managed to clear the back of the club pit on the high bank as well as the right hands side bank for some distance thank to John and his fantastic digger and dumper truck with out which we would be struggling to do all this. We still have much more to do in terms of clearing the pathway and removing fallen trees weeding and clearing up so please don't think we are finished its still got a long way to go and we most definitely need more club members to help us finish the work.

We would like to have about another 8 workers joining us on the weekends Saturday 10 to 5 and those who can help mid week please contact the secretary and let me know when you can come over then I can tell you when we will be down there midweek.

Sam and Lloyd keep us going with there catering skills, my look at those big buns!

I have to say the view across the common at the back of the club pit is stunning and now we have cleared it out its going to make a great area for a picnic with our club shed and maybe a big wooden bench as well. If your a bit of a carpenter and fancy making some wooden benches out of the logs then come along and show us what you can do. I think by the time its finished it will look brilliant and with the fence in place we can stock up with more fish knowing the otters will not be able to get to them so its all going to be worth the hard work.

View at the back of the lake of the common and carp in the margins

Its been great fun doing all this all of us that have been working down at the club pit have had a good time and enjoyed being out in the fresh air stopping for a burger and a cup of tea, having a chat with each other and helping out gives you a real sense of satisfaction getting the place looking better as well. The trees we have felled are about 20 years old I guess mostly alder trees growing along the bank in tight bunches. Interestingly though in the early pictures of the club pit these trees were not there just the old oaks at the back of the lake which we have left alone. I am sure the amount of leafs the alder trees have been depositing into the lake are the main cause of the high nutrients and hopefully there removal will in time help reduce the weed in the summer.

The evil weed! Fed by tons of leafs falling in the lake every year but no more now the trees are out and the wind is on the lake again.

Well there you go your up to date now and I hope you will come down and lend us a hand if your not sure when just call the secretary and I will get back to you and let you know when were down there mid week but we are there every Saturday 10 to 5 if you can make it we would love to see you but remember to bring some tea and biscuits with you!

Tight lines Mark.