A really important appeal here from Brian Stringer and all the folk at Back the Track, who’re working so hard to convert the old rail line through Brownhills into a walking a cycle route. This morning, Sunday 14th July 2019 they have a workday scheduled, and they’d really like volunteers to help them.

The Maclean Way is gorgeous – I cycled it this weekend and can really vouch for that – but it needs a lot of maintenance.

Since it’s the growing season and they’ve been working hard in specific spots of late, the crew need help getting vegetation and litter in check particularly on the stretch from Smithys Forge to Newtown.

I know lots of readers have been keen to volunteer on this one – and now’s your chance. You can get the rosy glow that comes of helping a great community project, go home with the satisfaction of a job well done, and also feel in awe having met living legends like Brian Stringer and Tim Kitchen [I’m really not sure how much of a draw that last one is to be honest – Bob].

Just turn up at 10:30am with any tools you can find that might be useful, and suitably stout clothing. Meet at the entrance by Smithy’s Forge (the green gates to the left of the pub as you face it).

Back the track said:

Date for the Diary: On Sunday 14th July we are hoping to have a community workday to trim back encroaching vegetation so if anyone would like to take part we are meeting up at Smithys Forge at 10.30. If you are interested please bring tools like loppers, litter pickers, secateurs, hedge clippers, gloves, rakes and sturdy boots. Hope to see you there, at the moment the forecast is good.

A good chance to air Ian Henderson of Hendrone’s latest film of the Maclean Way – it’s thoroughly gorgeous. You can find out more at Ian’s Facebook page here.

This is all against the background of the Back the Track efforts to create a walking and cycling trail, intersecting with Route NCN 5 from where it currently leaves the old rail line in Pelsall to Brownhills, and eventually beyond to Lichfield.

The crew are making huge progress with that, and I salute their efforts. You can see a gallery of their progress from last autumn here, and they’re now pushing towards the A5.

If you want to find out about the Back the Track campaign and group, you can visit their website here and Facebook group here. They also have a twitter account here.

Again, my thanks and admiration to the good folk who are working so hard to make a better environment for us all to enjoy.