Report of first autumn 2015 workday on October 13th.

The tasks of this workday was a litterpick and clearing of any vegetation encroaching on the trail. Jeff, Maldwyn, Richard and Stuart set off from the northern end of the trail at Thorpes road, Heanor just after 10.15am and worked southwards. The trail initially passes close to some industrial units which have been the source of large amounts of litter in the past but recently this situation has improved markedly and this was the case today. Further down the trail toward Marlpool the usual supply of drink cans and bottles were evident and we had filled three rubbish bags by the time we arrived at Osbournes pond and where we left them to be collected by the Shipley Park Rangers. From then onwards the litter was light and we managed to get as far as Shipley View housing estate, Ilkeston by about 12.15pm. At this point Dan Robertson eventually managed to find us after a frustrating time for him. It was good for us all to meet Dan for the first time since his appointment as successor to Ian Keetley. The workday finished at about 12.45 pm leaving us with a short stretch of trail to complete just north of Straws Bridge on the next workday.