August Focus
The group focus for August was to put a plan in place for the clearance of the site and to make sure that the events attended were successful.
Site Clearance
A meeting was held with CCC, GWT, Ecologists and the TC to make a plan for the clearance of the site.
The Ecologists are currently translocating the reptiles using mats placed over the site. A timeline cannot be penned in as the requirement is that there are 5 days of not finding reptiles before the site can be declared “cleared”. However, it is anticipated that this will be by the end of September 2024. The Ecologists will check the site for nesting birds and advise of any areas to be retained.
A RAMS will be created by the Ecology team which will be forwarded to SDC
At the point of the declaration, CCC will book a clearing team (a flail) to go onto the site and clear the brush. It anticipated that CCC will require a week to organise this, and a day to carry out the work.
At the declaration, SpICE will contact the membership and the wider community to ask for volunteers. SpICE will require to know the date, the task required and the equipment that is needed. The TC will arrange for green waste disposal and containers for debris that has been dumped on site.
The clearance is anticipated mid-October 2024
Events
There were two main events attended in August/ early September
- The Canal Festival
This was a very well attended event that attracted a district-wide audience. SpICE attended to increase membership and encourage the community to complete the survey. A competition to name the SpICE Bear was also undertaken.
2. The Bug trail
This event started at the Ship Inn Site and travelled up the canal corridor eventually ending in the Old Chapel Gardens in the centre of Stonehouse. SpICE were on hand to talk to the group about the site and on arrival at OCG the group engaged positively with SpICE Committee members.