As the weather was reasonable we decided to kick the year off earlier than normal with a session of minor replacements. The day started bright and sunny so Richard and Paul started with a new finger post on the B5027 near Flash Farm. The old finger post was broken and in the hedge. The ground was wet so it did not take long to get the new post in place.
We then moved further along the B5027 towards Uttoxeter where a step and it’s support posts needed replacing. Having tested out the stile we decided that two steps were necessary so four holes were dug for new posts. Here the ground was much heavier wet clay so it took a little longer but soon two new steps were in place.
The finger post here has been well flailed by the hedge cutting so we will have to get a replacement soon.
On the opposite side of the road is a short footpath to Oak Farm. The first stile had been repaired on our last outing but we then replaced the step on the second stile. The field was extremely wet so we could not take a vehicle across.
Following a coffee break we then went up to the Red Lion at Dayhills to check out a job. This requires a new stile so will have to wait till conditions are drier and we can access it across the fields. At this point we were hit by a short sharp hail shower so retreated to the car and headed off to Garshall Green where a finger post was badly in need of replacement.
An easy dig and we had a new post in place. The stile was cleared of holly and brambles but will need replacement in the near future. A good morning’s work!