December 2024 Work Party
The work party for 14th December 2024 consisted of 9 volunteers with over 60 hours of work being carried out. Despite the short daylight and a minor vehicle accident, the work party was very successful with the planned work at the Balvlair to Laurel’s Bridge cutting and elsewhere being either completed or progressed in good weather conditions as follows:
- The undergrowth and grass was cut back in the Balvlair to Laurel’s Bridge cutting prior to drainage improvements next year.
- Huntly’s Cave Cutting path surface improved with a top up of quarry dust following last month’s surface improvements.
- Gates x3 checked, adjusted as necessary and lubricated between Glaschoil farm and the Dava moor
Additional unplanned Work:
- Surplus quarry dust used to smooth over railway ballast at the southern Dava Moor gate.
- Land Rover recovery work just south of the Half Way Hut
Other points to note:
- In icy conditions a 4×4 vehicle came off the Dava Way and went down the short embankment south of the Half Way Hut. This resulted in some very minor injuries and some minor damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered by tractor and winch (in road worthy condition), and was driven back to the public road access point at Bantrach. A review of vehicle operating procedures on the Dava Way should be carried out.
- Gate latch and hinge at southern moorland boundary needs to be modified to close correctly following clatter post twisting due to over tensioned fencing wire.
