This blog is really about the extension of AWAS. In summer of 2008 we discovered that the massive concrete pad, on our western boundary, that has served Rawdon pit as a bagging plant was to be broken up and the area landscaped into a wetland area. That in it's self would be a good thing but it present the society with an opportunity. AWAS has always been over subscribed. Allotmenteers in waiting have been on the list for as long as two years in some cases. The secretary met with the head of the National Forest Foundation, who are the landlords, to discuss the possibility of AWAS enclosing and area of the country park adjacent to the allotments. To our immediate relief the National Forest Foundation thought this was a very good idea. The area was roughly marked out and plans laid for the development.
In the winter of 2008 the contractors moved in to redevelop the bagging plant. We allowed the contractors, Thorne Environmental, to hook up to our water supply. In a discussion with National Forest and Thorne a deal was struck for Thorne to give the society a digger and driver for a couple of days. The digger cleared the site, scraping back the very uneven surface to a level-ish surface and removing the large lumps of concrete. The excess scraping were piled into a bund along the boundary of the plot.The bigger trees where scooped out by the digger and dropped along the outer edge of the bund. This decision on the trees which has paid off initially caused us difficulties. More of which later.
Before the digger got busy -
And afterwards -
