Two Teams Make a Start ( with a little help from their friends !)

 

 

 

Two Teams Make a Start ( with a little help from their friends!)

 

It is good that through the blog hedgegrower is again able to trumpet the good work being carried out by Help the Hatters.

The blog started with a Help the Hatters meeting back in 2013 ( over a million pv`s ago)and this landmark was commemorated last Wednesday at the Last Monsoon ( a superb restaurant we heartily recommend to you for quality, price and friendliness) where the major contributors gathered with Help the Hatters Chairman and full time Gaffer John Gaskin to mark the million with a meal!

 

We could not let the occasion pass without remembering the excellent work done by Pauline Coddington as an author/contributer in the blogs early days.

Pauline is sadly no longer with us!

On to today and the `two teams` bit…..

Shortly after 9.30 the group began to arrive with Edgeley Park looking a picture in the weak winter `sunshine`.

There were 2 tasks that needed attention one that we had been keen to start namely the commencement of our latest `Community Project` in support of Swanbourne Gardens a purpose built, fully adapted respite facility close by in Stockport. The facility offers short breaks and overnight stays for children and young people, aged 0 to 19 with complex health needs and we as a group have decided to see what useful support we can give in the weeks and months ahead and this morning saw us replace words with action.

The second task was to attend to the white wall at the rear of the Danny Stand which was giving patrons heading for half time refreshments via that route issues.

Early risers Dot and Adrian headed off to the Danny Stand first thing to make a start .

 

 

 

 

The first thing to say  is that it is quite a long wall and  in places is very damp ,maybe the damp  should have been addressed before a scrape and paint job was undertaken , as requested, by Help the Hatters( the writers view- not necessarily those of Help the Hatters).

Heading off to Swanbourne Gardens we left Dot and Adrian to this unenviable task!

Shortly after, suitably equipped, John G, Ray, Edd, Simon and the writer arrived at the facility.

 

 

 

 

It was not long before we realised that Ralph was already there- we could hear him, or more precisely his chain saw- he was already getting stuck in the burgeoning undergrowth around Swanbourne Gardens.

 

 

 

There was much to do for sure…..the gutters needed clearing , and boy was there some crud in them !

 

 

 

The play area needed an overhaul , but that was in the plan for another day.

 

 

 

 

Moving around the building the area adjacent to the play area looked in need of attention ..................

 

 

 

..................as did the veritable wilderness just around the corner from this but Ralph had already made an impact here as you can possibly pick out on this image….

 

 

 

 

Going inside, the room of most interest was the conservatory which was afflicted with damp on  a couple of walls and the floor.

 

 

 

 

This was not helped by the state of the gutters which were thoroughly laden with crud ( next image looking out at crud).

 

 

 

 

The damp on the walls ( and floors) will be sorted for sure and hopefully make life a lot better for the youngsters who use the facility and staff that work there!

I was impressed with the plans and obvious enthusiasm of the group tasked with this project and will keep you updated on progress as the weeks and months come and go.

So, it was back to EP where I found Dot and Adrian fully engaged making a start on the back wall and both put a brave face on an uphill struggle!

 

 

 

 

Well done to the dynamic duo for their efforts, but the day did not pass without a bit of finger pointing being directed in Dot`s direction.........

 

 

 

 

.......... said lady having `wrecked` a scraper ( allegedly!)in a frenzied dash to  uncover what she thought was Sanskrit beneath the paint on wall C!

 Hang on- see what you mean Dot !

 

 

 

 

 

It was also very good to see our friends from the Seashell Trust working hard under the Pop Side roof upon returning from Swanbourne Gardens- Help the Hatters would again like to thank the Seashell Trust for their continued support!

Obviously there`s more to report on an ongoing basis in the weeks ahead so keep watching the Monday Reports on Facebook

Meanwhile Help the Hatters are inside Edgeley Park again this Thursday 26 January from 10 am for the post-match litter pick following Tuesday`s game with Bradford.

If you are able, you are most welcome to join us!

Oh and appropo of not a lot we end with an image of Edd and some bubbles.....

 

 

 

 

hedgegrower