Clearing the boardwalk of sand at Formby on Sunday 18th April 2021

This was our first workday in 2021, allowed since the restrictions from the most recent Lockdown have been eased.

Even though Formby was an hour's journey for most of us, and we had to travel separately due to the current Covid restrictions, we had a great turnout of 8 MNTVers who were desperate to get back to volunteering. Combined with a great weather forecast and the likelihood that we would be working near the beach, made this particular workday all the more attractive:-)

We weren't quite sure what we would be doing as the Rangers Justin and Dan, knew they needed to clear the sand from the boardwalk to the beach so that wheelchair and pushchairs users could get onto the beach, but they'd hoped they'd have already done this by the time we arrived, in which case we'd have been given another task but, no, the boardwalks beckoned. We'd met at the Countryside Offices so had to drive to the car park at the end of Lifeboat Road where we parked and met Justin with his trailer containing 4 wheelbarrows and 6 spades. 

We worked in 2 groups of 4 MNTVers, the group nearer the car park worked with Justin, shovelling the sand off the boardwalk into the barrows, which were then taken to be dumped in an area of grasses which would grow through the sand and keep it more stable.

The first group clearing the sand off the boardwalk from the car park.

The second group worked from the beach end, clearing the boardwalk which led onto the beach. Dan was with them with his tractor. He had brought along some extra rolls to extend the boardwalk towards the sea. 

Second group clearing the boardwalk near the beach...

...and dumping it back on the beach!

We were all delighted that so many of the visitors to Formby thanked us for what we were doing as they passed by and some even stopped for a socially-distanced chat - it made us feel so appreciated:-)

We stopped for a coffee break around 11.30am at the side of the carpark, while Justin and Dan went off for an early lunch and to get a few extra jobs done. 

Coffee break near the car park

Afterwards we continued in the same groups until lunchtime, when we had our lunch on the beach! 

Lunchtime on the beach - "oh we do love to be beside the sea side":-)

After lunch, Sue and Adrian nipped down to the sea (and did a mini-litter pick) before starting back to work.

By the time Dan re-appeared, the group near the beach had shifted the sand and were then able to lay the extra boardwalk towards the sea.

Starting to lay the new boardwalk....

....a job well done:-)

Although there was no ice-cream van on this occasion, we all had a great day and were thrilled to be back to what we do best:-) !

Thanks to Adrian for additional photo's.