WORKING AWAY: Barnard Castle’s volunteer workers were out in force to give the Roman Way picnic site a spruce up.
WORKING AWAY: Barnard Castle’s volunteer workers were out in force to give the Roman Way picnic site a spruce up.

BARNARD Castle’s volunteer workers have put their spades, brushes and hedge clippers away for the winter after another busy year.

The group keeps the town looking its best by carrying out small scale environmental projects at places which would otherwise become overgrown.

The final areas to be tackled this year were the Roman Way picnic area, down by the river, and the Garden of Remembrance, in Galgate, ahead of Remembrance Sunday. The workers’ convener, Roger Peat, said it was their first visit to the picnic area this year.

The group had previously carried out a major clear-out of the area which had become badly neglected.

“It just needed a general tidy up this time,” said Mr Peat.

The workers have also taken areas such as Amen Corner, at the top of The Bank, on the junction of Newgate and Market Place, and the small rose garden, where The Bank meets Bridgegate, under their wing.

“We have also been on the upper Demesnes cutting back before the bonfire and fireworks display and we’ve also tackled some of the Himalayan balsam,” added Mr Peat.

“The Remembrance Garden was the last bit of environmental work for the year – we’ll now be out helping with the Christmas lights,” he said. Mr Peat said the group would welcome new volunteer workers.

Anyone interested can contact Mr Peat by email at roger_peat@hotmail.co.uk or via the Barnard Castle Christmas Lights website www.bar neylights.com.