WORKING SESSIONS 2026
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WORKING SESSIONS
We are again planning to carry out some regular maintenance in and around East and West Hanney this year.
We plan to work from 09:00 until noon, and as usual, the location will depend upon what needs to be done. Please add these dates to your diaries. It would be great if everyone could do at least one session during the year as it then spreads the load out.
*** Venue and work details will be advised each month by email to subscribers of our E-newsletter ***
We are looking for volunteers to organise each weekend, so please contact us via the contact form or email Clive Manvell: clivemanvell664@gmail.com or call 01235 868216; 0796 4144 109.
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Saturday 16th of May
Details to follow, but we plan to have small teams continuing the work of drain rodding the culverts and water courses around Summertown and reprofiling and clearing drainage channels in West Hanney.
Saturday 18th of April
Lovely weather today for the eighteen volunteers who turned out to clear the Brook and other drainage channels of winter storm debris, tangles of brambles, dangling branches and collect up a sack load of rubbish mainly from the Brook. We were able to welcome and induct two visitors from the newly formed Wantage Flood Group into this rewarding voluntary work. We were very pleased that Philberds Manor residents David and Charlotte were able to join us too. All were well rewarded with Helens Cranberry and Coconut Energy Bars, thank you Helen.
Thank you to the team today of Phil M, Peter M-S, Stewart S, Roger F, Mick M, Charlotte P, David P, Lamorna Z, Ian G, Dickon G, Richard C, Keith R, Vicky G, Matt D, Alastair J, Daniel C, Clive M and David S who kindly towed the trailer for us.
Saturday 21st of March
As forecast, it turned out to be a wonderful Spring morning with sunshine, a very light breeze and a temperature that well suited the physical work undertaken. The 11 volunteers split into two teams one working at the iron bridge reinforcing the bank and topping up the soil, whilst the other team worked clearing obstructions from the iron bridge upstream towards the back of the garages at brookside.
The work at the iron bridge to reinforce the fir tree stays and willow weave with sandbags and more soil went well, as did removing low hanging brambles, tree branches and obstructions namely a couple of willow trees that had established themselves mid-stream. The culvert that enters the brook by the garages (concrete structure) was cleared out, but it could not be established as to where the pipe work within the culvert extended and as time was pressing, it will be a task that will be tackled at a later date.
A huge thank you to Peter M, Ian G, Dickon G, Tim G, David S, Keith C, Alastair J, Richard C, Keith R, Mick M and Paul S. The mid-morning break was enhanced as always by the lovely cake provided by Helen, so all in all a good mornings effort and a better flowing brook with some sound bank improvement being made, and of course an extra thank you to Paul for supervising the return of tools to the hut in a clean, oiled and orderly manner.
Saturday 21st of February
The weather stayed dry and we were able to finish preparing some areas for the top soil and grass seed application which is due shortly. We may need a few volunteers next weekend to help distribute the top soil, so look out for further emails on this. Special thanks to David for repairing the tennis net reed catcher and for taking the tools to and from Ebbs Lane.
Thank you to Helen for a delicious fruit cake, to Ian and Dickon EHPC) who installed the much needed bollards to protect the verges and the grip drain pipe work and to Peter M, Alastair J, Tim G, David S and Clive M.
Saturday 17th of January
Despite the overnight rain and wet forecast for this morning we had a turnout of fourteen volunteers who worked hard in the sunshine to improve areas of Ebbs Lane following the widening and deepening undertaken by contractors recently. The task was to remove rubble, other stones and large pieces of vegetation buried under the spoil removed from the ditches. The opportunity was also taken to clear mud from the road and to re-align and clear the existing grips so that the surface water in the road can now flow into the ditches. Culverts were also drain-rodded to clear vegetation and mud which had collected in pipe entries and exits. We left the area better prepared for the re-seeding which will be sown in early March when it will be warmer for good germination and early growth. Further improvements are planned before then as the areas dry out and settle. We were joined by Helen S and Sue T with freshly baked Orange and Almond Cake, biscuits, teas and coffees, so a huge thank you to them along with Jason K, Peter Msole, Ian G, Dickon G, Tim G, David S, Roger F, Keith C, Lamorna Z, Phil M, Alastair J, Paul S, Mick M and Clive M.
The opportunity was also taken for a small task force, led by Keith C, familiarising the Flood Group with the recently acquired Flexguard flood barrier. The barrier has been very generously funded by donations for EHPC, Hanney News, Hanney Community Shop and Flood Group funds. A limited but successful trial was completed identifying where and how to deploy this asset. Protocols are now being developed to ensure rapid communications with affected residents and businesses, develop alternative access and effective road closures should it be needed. Hopefully, we never have to deploy it but we are much better prepared in 2026 than we were in 2023 and 2024, should the need arise.
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