CONSERVATION workers were on hand to avert major traffic delays when strong winds last Friday afternoon brought a large branch crashing onto the road. The branch was blocking the road on Upcott Hill bringing traffic travelling in both directions to a halt. There were no injuries or damage caused and members of Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group (STOC) were quickly on the spot to clear the obstacle. The five volunteers were returning from a task of managing part of the Tarka Trail at Dalton when their vehicle came upon a branch blocking the road. One of the team said: ?It must have happened just seconds before our arrival, and it was somewhat fortuitous we should be there complete with trailer and all our tools.? Without a moment?s hesitation, the volunteers sprang into action and cut the branch into manageable pieces, which were temporarily moved to the driveway of a nearby house. ?We only hope that the new owners of the house were not too inconvenienced by the sudden appearance of this potential firewood,? said a STOC spokesperson. The tailback soon became quite long, but a more major traffic incident was thankfully prevented by the timely appearance of the volunteers. l STOC, which has grown considerably since being established 15 years ago, has issued a call for new volunteers. The group?s principal aim is to help improve the environment in and around Okehampton. Examples of the kind of work the group carries out include maintenance of parts of the Tarka Trial, path clearance at Lydford, gorse clearance on Dartmoor and restoration of cobbled paths in Okehampton and Sampford Courtenay. Other more recent projects have been the construction and installation of a boardwalk at Pixie Moor and assistance to the estate warden and head gardener at Castle Drogo. Work is carried out each Friday throughout the year ? there is a break for Christmas and Good Friday. Volunteers meet at the Finch Foundry car park, Sticklepath, at 10am, before proceeding to the site of the planned task for the day. The Sticklepath-based group has a full programme planned for the summer months which includes forestry work at Chilla, gardening at Drogo and maintenance in Old Town Park and near Meldon Reservoir. The group is open to everyone regardless of age, experience, sex, background or disability. STOC member Peter Williams said: ?The work undertaken offers constructive and valuable opportunities to those who may be disadvantaged or unemployed. ?It also gives wonderful job satisfaction, knowing that a small improvement has been made to the local environment that otherwise may not have been done.? The work undertaken is not strenuous and members are in no way asked to do anything beyond their physical capabilities. Come along to the Finch Foundry car park any Friday at 10am or call 01837 840757/01837 840435/01837 840183 for more information.
