In January 2011 a muddy, rough path led from the tunnel slope onto the embankment. Old, diseased trees, rubbish and piles of rubble greeted any wanderer. We advertised our first work party weekend and about 30 volunteers arrived, a mix of members of the Partnership team, British Waterways’ personnel, villagers and boaters. Through the rest of the winter season we cleared the area, de-ivyed trees and removed and burnt any old, diseased ones. By the Spring we were able to plant the 420 sapling awarded by The Woodland Trust.

Martha Holdom, Waterway Supervisor for British Waterways and Mark Whitfield, a member of her team soon became stalwarts of the project. By May 2011 we were ready to install the first part of the hard path. British Waterways hired us all of the heavy plant needed and 40 tonne of aggregate was spread between wooden shuttering.

A final push this Autumn has seen the hard path completed and lots of wildflowers and bluebells planted. David Snapes (Blisworth Wildflower Nursery) donated pots and pots of wildflowers and Youngs Nurseries gave us lots of native bluebells and snowdrops. Roll on the Spring!

What next for newly named Tunnel Spinney?
 Some old small trees may still need to be removed;
 Two benches are about to be installed (more will follow);
 A hand rail will be installed down the side of the new path as it slopes towards the towpath;
 A wooden barrier fence will be installed along the water’s edge at the bottom of the new path;
 More bird-boxes will be installed;
 Blisworth School has planted some acorns;
 Ongoing maintenance;
 Further wildflower planting;

Tunnel Spinney now provides the village with a great walk. Linger for a while and perhaps you’ll see muntjac deer, both greater spotted & green woodpeckers, weasels, squirrels playing, weasels popping their heads up, a buzzard circling overhead and numerous small birds and butterflies. We’ve enjoyed all of these during our work parties.
The Partnership cannot thank all of the people who have come along to our work parties enough. We’ve worked, we’ve eaten and we’ve laughed. New friends have been made and a fantastic area has been created. Work Parties are always advertised on the village noticeboards, in the Chronicle and Echo (village column) and on the website from now on.