This Autumn the Vale Path Volunteers have undertaken two path clearance projects using their newly acquired Stihl Brushcutter/Strimmer. This powerful machine easily chops and chews its way through any dense growth of nettles, brambles/briars and young blackthorn. At Baulking the nettles were at chin height but the brushcutter made short work of them.

Earlier in the year two members of the VPV, Dave Cavanagh and John Gordon, received LANTRA training to operate the machine, and a Health and Safety Code or Practice has been drawn up so that all members on a site know how to work safely while the machine is in operation. Oxfordshire Countryside Access Team required that any members using power tools such as a brushcutter received this training. The machine was first used on a bridlepath near the village of Baulking and subsequently on an overgrown footpath in the Parish of Hinton Waldrist. Soon after completing the clearance at Baulking a horserider came along and she was informed that it would be now possible to follow the cleared path instead of taking a detour off the definitive right of way through woodland. The VPV have planned 7 more footpath clearance projects for the Autumn where the machine will be invaluable in assisting the team in tackling the vegetation growth. The photographs show the ‘before’ and ‘after’ effects of the brushcutter at Hinton Waldrist.