Lopping

We were in Chadwell Heath on Tuesday, visiting Mike and Su, and took a stroll after lunch to have a look at the Millennium Park where they did a bit of volunteering last year. The park stands as a warning not to set land aside for recreational use unless you have the resources to maintain it. First thing that happens once the place begins to look neglected is the outlaws move in and use it for drugs and sex. Second thing- and far worse- is the brambles take over- and eventually make it inhospitable- even to outlaws. Several acres at the Millennium Park have already been abandoned to brambles and more will follow. I came away wanting to spend every hour that my body will tolerate out in the fields with my loppers....

There's a bonfire pile- mainly of lopped brambles- in the top field which will have grown to massive proportions by the time we get to Guy Fawkes night.