November

Members forum 1400hrs- 1830hrs, Sat 1 Nov in the Parish Rooms Chirk. Contact david.dilnot@glynvalleytramway.co.uk or tel 0775 4084689.

Operation Bramble Hunter

Volunteers will assemble at the small car park (by bulk propane tank) Canalwood Industrial estate, Chirk at 0830hrs SUNDAY 2 NOV 2008 and MONDAY 3 NOV 2008.

It is known that the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust have engaged consultants Thirty Inch Railways Ltd to carry out a Design and Evaluation Study of the Glyn Valley Tramway funded by the EARDF and administered by the Welsh Assembly Government through Northern Marches Cymru.

Part of the work involves TIR ltd consulting Groups,individuals and landowners and preparing detailed designs for a Phase 1 operation.

The formation between Matchbox Bridge and Baddy’s Wood is mainly accessible on foot but between Baddy’s Wood and Pontfaen is very overgrown.

TIR Ltd need to access the formation to carry out survey work on this section which is owned by Myddelton Estates.

Intention

The Trust has agreed to support the Design Study and has been requested to provide support to enable surveying work to be carried out.

The Intention is to:

a). Provide an effective volunteer working party to clear undergrowth to allow surveying work to be carried out.

b). Place centre line pegs.

c). Assist with tree tagging.

Method

a). Briefing , location and timings

Volunteers will assemble at the small car park (by bulk propane tank) Canalwood Industrial estate, Chirk at 0830hrs SUNDAY 2 NOV 2008 and MONDAY 3 NOV 2008. There they will be briefed by the Project manager David Dilnot and then sign on in a register. The work will continue until about 1630hrs on each day.

b). Documentation

All members taking part in the working party will need to have returned a confidential GVTT medical questionnaire relating to their medical fitness prior to arrival and have informed the Project Manager that they are available.

c). Transport Arrangements

After the briefing a minimum number of vehicles will be used to travel from Canalwood to Lady Margaret’s Walk above Baddy’s Wood and thereafter to walk to the work site.

d). Work Method

It is intended to cut back vegetation sufficiently to allow centre line pegs to be placed and to ascertain the required railway clearances and identify any trees affected and which need to be tagged. Vegetation will be cut back using hand tools and pull clear.

e). Tools Required

Volunteers are requested to bring any of the following tools which must be serviceable.

1. Bow saws
2. Pruning saws
3. Loppers
4. Extension loppers
5. Secauteurs
6. Sledgehammers
7. Sythes
8. Machetes

f). Stores

50 X wooden survey pegs and 1x aerosol white paint are being obtained.

g) . Dress and Personal Protective equipment

The following are required by each member of the working party:

1. Safety boots or safety wellingtons (the ground is muddy and wet)
2. Wet weather clothing (pref including leggings)
3. Warm headgear (woolly hat)
4. Rigger type gloves (thorn protection)
5. Safety googles (not glasses)
6. Water or thermos.
7. Bin bags for wet clothing and muddy boots.

h). First Aid Arrangements

David Dilnot is a qualified First Aider and will be in possession of a First Aid kit

i). Refreshments

Parkinsons Milk Bar, Church Street, Chirk is open 1000-1600hrs on Sundays and available for hot drinks and hot snacks.

j). Toilets

The nearest public toilets are situated on the public car park at the rear of the Hand Hotel, Chirk

k). Insurance

The Trust has Liability and Personal Accident Insurance in place for the working parties.

l). Risk Assessments

Risk Assessments covering the activities have been completed and will form part of the briefing.

m). Publicity

As this will be first GVTT working party on the trackbed, the opportunity will be taken to record the activities and take photographs.

For further information  contact  Contact david.dilnot@glynvalleytramway.co.uk or tel 0775 4084689.

October

Saturday 11 October

The Golden Pheasant Hotel, Llwynmawr, Glyn Ceiriog 17.00

The AGM will be followed by Dinner

AGENDA

The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust Annual Dinner