I like chipping and I like to chip
Just like the elves at the North Pole, members of BWMG have been beavering away, cracking on with jobs we can complete whilst much of nature is dormant. One of these tasks is chipping; spreading wood chips on the various muddy paths in Ram Meadow, No Mans Meadow and the Crankles. It’s not a task that’s loved by all but we have a hard core of enthusiasts who are dedicated to it and who view it as part of our remit to make the meadows accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Chipping does conjure up various debates on methodology and one devotee wrote an extensive treatise on the subject; fortunately, it had a summary at the end so it wasn’t necessary to read it all. One aspect that can be absolutely guaranteed is that the pile of chips will be nowhere near where we need to spread them. Don’t get me wrong, we are very grateful to the tree surgery team on the Council who supply us with chips, but they can’t always get the piles to where we want them. On these occasions, it’s essential to view the task in hand as a work-out, where calories can be burnt off completely free of charge, something many of us want to do after Christmas anyway.
The chips have to be ferried to the distribution site by wheelbarrow and then raked in place using the same wooden rakes we use for picking up arisings from scything in the summer. It sounds so simple and it could be even more simple if we did the chipping at the same time as the wood-chipper was at work. Then the chips could be ‘squirted’ directly into the barrows; we’re working on that one!
In the extensive research carried out for this article, BWMG members were asked why they took part in chip-spreading work parties. ‘For the benefit of all mankind’ was not one of the answers, but they did like seeing the finished wood-chipped path, having the appreciation of passers-by and the satisfaction of less mud to wash off the boots (and the dog) after they had used the paths themselves. Needless to say, we like chipping in the sunshine and dread it in the rain! Common-sense usually prevails and if it’s raining, we find other things to do, like going to coffee shops. We want people to enjoy volunteering and not to feel as though they’re part of a chain-gang.
One of the perils of woodchip spreading is that the water meadows have a job to do, which is to flood, protecting land downstream. Our flooding events are increasing, but amazingly the chipped paths usually survive this onslaught, as the water glides over them and leaves them in place when the water subsides. However, woodchips are a natural material and decompose over time, so by the time autumn comes round, or next autumn if we are lucky, we’ll be doing chipping all over again. If you feel enthused to come and help one day, do get in touch and we will be delighted to welcome you to the team!
Sharon Lence, BWMG member
