Objectives
Although we aimed to continue the work of the very successful August working party – see Report Work Party 17th August 2017. this was an extra-ordinary meeting as we had two one-off events scheduled at the same time, which was a distraction.
We will deal with these first.
Reinstalling the Entrance Poles
Right on time the blacksmith from Essendon returned the two iron poles which had been straightened through the application of heat and a power press. The costs of this project, including the contractors’ (Maydencroft) costs for the initial removal of the poles and their re-installation, has been entirely funded by the Friends, following a generous private donation.
Another Hole found – an unexpected further diversion.
About 1 metre from the right hand pole, Maydencroft’s Richard casually leaned on a steel rod which promptly disappeared into the ground until it hit rock! The following photographs show the red-brick hole on the left from which our entrance poles came, and the one on the right shows the new hole, also lined with brick walls, that nobody has yet explained! It seems that there might have been a far more elaborate iron-work Victorian entrance structure than any of us imagined!
Installing the Water Cabinet/Shed
Another Project funded by the Friends reached completion too, or very nearly so. The mains water supply funded by the Borough Council needed protection and the new shed hides a standpipe and tap, to which a hose reel (for plant watering) will ultimately be connected.
The shed is secured to the concrete base and it is planned to store low value hand tools there too, for the convenience of working parties.
Maintenance
While all that excitement was going on, the work party quietly carried on: weeding some of the Victorian Planting Beds, excavating
the gullies on the Top Path and further exploring the decorated pebbled wall that was discovered on the Top Path last month.
Fencing
Under Stephen’s direction, John struggled to lift the two fencing panels that were recently discovered by Stephen’s grandson using his plastic metal detector. 
They had been buried under 12″ soil for perhaps 100 years, and John could not photograph this manoeuvre and breath at the same time. Next month we will re-enact this for the family album if Stephen is present.
Future Meeting Dates
After some discussion during ‘elevenses’ it was agreed that for a trial period we will meet twice a month as follows:
3rd Thursday each month – Working Party meeting at The Fernery at 10 a.m. as at present.
1st Saturday each month – Gardening Group meeting at The Fernery at 10 a m
Social Media – progress
This Report and all future Reports will now be published on our website www.danesburyfernery.org.uk even though it is still under construction.
Our FaceBook page @danesbury fernery , and our Twitter account @danesburyferns are both up and running.
British Pteridological Society
Andrew is inviting all Friends to let him know if they would like to be included (i.e. ‘named’) as a member of a Group Application for membership. He has a supply of Application Forms for those who wish to join individually but, as an alternative approach, Friends can join as a collective, but only if they are registered as such in the Group. So please let Andrew Beattie know how you stand on
Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 19th October – Working Party
Saturday 4th November – Garden Group
hi john.
thanks for the report and pictures – i like the new format.
re the new hole – i would expect it to be one of a
matching pair if it was part of the entrance structure
so we could look 1 metre to the right of the other pole.
Are you thinking it was where the 3rd pole lived?
Hi Mike
Thanks for being the first ever person to ‘comment’on this site. I am glad you like it, but there is much more to do to get it as we want it.
There has to be a 4th hole in my view and we will have to start looking for it. I have found a photo taken earlier this year that shows a pole laying on the ground in the middle of the dell. Later, I will dig that photo out and publish it to see if anybody can remember finding a pole there.