The BreadWalk reopened today, five days after a 70 foot sycamore, it’s roots loosened by heavy rain, crashed down from the cliff above.
the work was carried out by tree surgeon Alan Jones and his crew who have removed most of the wood. The root ball, which is now stable, will remain on the cliff face for the time being.

Three trees down and two paths blocked so the volunteers were in action to clear up, and when they did so they found a view down to the River Teme, unseen for many years, had been restored.

The casualties were a hornbeam and an oak, both uprooted by the heavy rain. We also took the opportunity to clear some paths of leaves.

A further casualty has left the BreadWalk temporarily closed. It’s too big and too precarious for the volunteers to tackle so awaits the attention of the professionals.

several walkers are still scrambling under and over this tree, despite signs saying the path is closed. Please be aware this tree weighs many tonnes and, if it shifts as you scramble under it, we are not responsible for the consequences.

The Friends of Whitcliffe work team have been hard at work removing scrub and overgrown branches alongside the main road above Ledford lay-by in order to improve the sight lines for vehicles leaving the lay-by.

Friends of Whitcliffe volunteers have installed new dog poo bins at strategic points on the common in the hope that more people will use them.

I

A wooden seat on Ludlow’s Whitcliffe Common, installed in memory of a long-time supporter, has been renovated.
The seat looks northward from its site above the old quarry and was erected some years ago in memory of the late Ray Sykes.
Mr Sykes, a Ludlow accountant, was a long time supporter of the Friends of Whitcliffe Common, the volunteer group which cares for the common in association with its leaseholders Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
He began his connection when the group was the former Whitcliffe Commoners Association. He audited its books free of charge from then until his retirement over 20 years later.
Mr Sykes was also instrumental in helping the group meet the cost of two major projects through his role as controller of a trust set up to aid local causes.
The first was a donation towards the cost of the work needed to restore the damage done by the storms of 2007.
The second was a larger donation which enabled the then now FOWC to complete the £70,000 revetment of the riverbank which was threatening to undercut the famous Breadwalk.
When he died the charity decided to install the seat as a memorial to him. Over the years it had deteriorated and the decision was made recently to renovate it.
This has now been done with the assistance of Graeme Perks, the town council’s representative on the FOWC Trustees, who is a skilled woodworker.
“I had an old railway sleeper in my garage which belonged to my son Harry. He had obtained it for something but it never got used. It has proved perfect for renovating Ray’s seat,” said Graeme.
Chair Daphne Jones said, “We are very grateful to Graeme for doing this work. Ray was a much-respected supporter of our group. We are delighted that it will continue to remind walkers on Whitcliffe of the debt the common owes to people like Ray.”

PHOTO: The photograph shows the memorial seat being replaced. On the left is FOWC vice chairman Harvey Griffiths and on the right volunteer group co-ordinator Rick Summers. In the centre Graeme Perks, who carried out the renovation work, shows the damage time had done to part of the original seat.

Join us for lunch in The Orangery at The Cliffe at Dinham on Thursday, June 20 to raise money for Friends of Whitcliffe Common and Teme Weirs Trust.
You need to book by June 14 with Daphne Jones on 01584874773 or daphjones3@outlook.com
The two course lunch, 12.30 for 1pm is £18.50.
Can’t get there? Ring Vince Bufton on 01584874515 to arrange transport.
Main course choices.
A. Confit of duck leg
Garlic potato terrine, ribbon veg, seasonal greens
Lemon, sherry and thyme jus.
Or
B Mediterranean stone bass
Couscous, cavalier Nero, tempura sapphire Ras en hangout vinaigrette.
Dessert
Vanilla cheesecake
Summer berry compote, mint crunch
Or
Cool ginger rice pudding
Apricot compote, puffed rice

Volunteers were out again strimming footpaths at the end of May and down by the River Teme spotted plenty of damsel flies. these few needed a spot of sun still to spread their wings

A few dates for your diary concerning Whitcliffe starting with a lunch at Fishmore Hall on April 4. If you have anything you are willing to donate as a raffle prize then please let Daphne Jones know daphjones3@hotmail.com

On May 16 there will be a coffee morning at Fishmore Hall and once again if you can help with manning stalls, providing raffle or tombola prizes please let Daphne know.

A wide range of wood turning, ranging from bowls to birds, all made by Tom Crowther at his Whitcliffe workshop will be on sale to boost our funds. In the past year donations for Tom’s work have raised more than £1,000 for the Friends for which we are extremely grateful.

Friends of Whitcliffe Common Trustees have welcomed plans for the memorial soldier on Whitcliffe to return for a week each side of Remembrance Day but decided that having the silhouette there all year round would make it less special.
Rick Summers said the soldier had been absolutely right to celebrate the centenary this year but would would lose its poignant effect if it was there all the year round.
“We already have a permanent memorial bench and we should welcome the silhouette back into position for a week each side of Remembrance Day as well as look at any future special anniversaries.

Steve Sankey managed to get this fantastic picture near the Mill Street weir of a pair of otters.