Keeping the path clear
The Offa’s Dyke Path winds its way for 177 miles through the Welsh borders and, for much of its route, follows the dyke King Offa – an 8th century defensive earthwork built to protect the kingdom of Mercia from rivals in Wales.
The path opened in 1971 and links the Severn estuary in the south with the Irish Sea coast in the north, passing through eight different counties along canal banks and high ridgeways.
And for nearly 40 of those years sections of the path have been cleared and kept accessible for the walking public by the hard work of Unite’s Ivan Monckton.
Ivan said, “In the early days me and my mate Tony Villanus did huge sections of the path from Hay on Wye to Llanymynech Golf course in Northern Powys, as well as various paths for Woodland Trust, all with long handled hooks. It was incredibly hard work!
“Today I use a brand-new Stihl brush cutter with serrated cord, my sixth machine, and by far the best I’ve ever had. Still bloody hard work mind!”
Overgrown – hedges need maintenance FInding faith in the fields
Members of the Unite Faith Workers’ Branch are heading back to the Northamptonshire countryside this August, with a stand promoting the benefits Unite membership to festival goers at the Greenbelt Festival. The stall has been a massive success at the event and has been a great way to recruit new members to the branch. The first year they attended, about 60 new members signed up, and since then it has become a vital part of their organising activities.
Branch officer Nicky Skipworth explained. “We provide huge amounts of factual information about the Branch, challenge misunderstandings, hand out gorgeous merchandise and either support members in difficulty right there and then or signpost to the Helpline.”
Greenbelt runs from August 24 to 26, and if you are going, pop along and say hello to Unite’s Faithworkers crew.
7 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2024
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