May News
FURZEBEAM REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 28th May 2026
We had another session of scrub bashing at Furzebeam this week. Given the high temperature, we were very glad to be working in decent shade.
We had another session of scrub bashing at Furzebeam this week. Given the high temperature, we were very glad to be working in decent shade.
The team starts work
We are fortunate to have a new volunteer, Pete, who is a licensed chainsaw operator who was able to tackle some of the fallen trees in the canal bed. As mentioned in previous reports, these trees are a major problem and really hamper the progress of clearing the canal. We are also taking pains to remove any small saplings growing in the canal bed before they become established. It was pleasing to see that in places the canal wall below the towpath is still in good condition. At the end of the session we had cleared approximately another 50 metres. Only another half a mile to go!
Cutting up a fallen tree
Cleared section of canal
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.
FURZEBEAM REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 21st May 2026
The team returned to Furzebeam this week to carry out further scrub bashing. Clinton Devon Estates has temporarily closed the permissive path between the roving bridge and the stop board while they deal with some dangerous trees so this section of the canal is currently out of bounds. We are therefore concentrating our efforts on the canal south of the stop board. There is a long section of the canal here which is badly overgrown so we have been cutting back the vegetation and removing young saplings before they become established. We have rebuilt a good section of the canal wall near the stop board and this is now looking very tidy. We have managed to clear a further 50 metres of the canal bed although progress has been hampered by trees which have fallen into the canal in places – a persistent problem along this heavily wooded stretch.
The team returned to Furzebeam this week to carry out further scrub bashing. Clinton Devon Estates has temporarily closed the permissive path between the roving bridge and the stop board while they deal with some dangerous trees so this section of the canal is currently out of bounds. We are therefore concentrating our efforts on the canal south of the stop board. There is a long section of the canal here which is badly overgrown so we have been cutting back the vegetation and removing young saplings before they become established. We have rebuilt a good section of the canal wall near the stop board and this is now looking very tidy. We have managed to clear a further 50 metres of the canal bed although progress has been hampered by trees which have fallen into the canal in places – a persistent problem along this heavily wooded stretch.
Starting work on the canal bed
Canal bed after scrub bashing
Cleared section of canal
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.