Day 2 (The wet one)

The day started with an early morning frantic attempt to relocate all of the kit back into the main hall (beautiful orchestrated by myself & mommy Tina)

We had a good hearty breakfast, during which a wild Simon appeared.

The weather went from overcast to "it's raining sideways!" Nevertheless we donned our waterproofs and PPE, and made our way to site.

Despite the downpour we persevered - setting up the welfare shelter and doing a full trailer kit check, but after two hours on a very soggy site, the decision was made to pack up and go back to the accommodation.

However, the day wasn't wasted as one group went on a magical mystery tour of Barrow Hill Roundhouse ...

Whilst the rest found their own means of entertainment back at he accommodation.

Georgeous and Ju slaved over a jigsaw ... only to find someone had stolen a piece.

Comedy duo Lynne and Maureen treated us all to a fabulous surprise ...

Happy Christmas from Staveley!

Week 2, Day 1

A group of new, fresh faced volunteers arrived in sunny Staveley, said their hellos, and attempted to find somewhere to squeeze their beds for the night. (It were reet cosy!)

We all gathered round to watch the health & safety video - after which everyone donned their hi-vis, hard hat and steelies for the site visit.

Georgeous explained the various tasks we'd be undertaking throughout the week.

Colin gave a demonstration on excavator blind spots.

The group was then taken on a grand tour of Staveley by Tina, finishing at Harley's Inn for dinner.

Having been evicted from our accommodation for a 60th Birthday, WRG descended on Staveley Miners' Welfare Club and gate crashed Roger's 50th!

Day 7

Day 7 saw the final day on site for the group. Despite a drizzly start to the day, more progress was made to the walls. 

A huge thank you to Ralph for the Bakewell tart and pudding enjoyed at tea break. 

The group continued working until about 2pm before finishing for the week, taking a group photo and stopping for lunch.

The space being created for the spill weir got bigger. 

After lunch all the tools were cleaned, counted and packed away.

In the evening Chesterfield Canal Trust took a group of us on a boat trip along the Canal from Hollingwood Hub to Staveley Town Basin. 

Unfortunately it was pouring with rain but that didn't stop a few having a turn steering the boat.

We then headed back to Hollingwood Hub and enjoyed a buffet dinner with the Trust where CCT's Dave Kiddy won the prestigious Tool of the Week for forgetting his trousers. 

Andy later won the Minor Tool Award for his mystery tour of Chesterfield and tipping over a barrow of blocks.

A huge thank you to Chesterfield Canal Trust for providing the boat trip, and to all the volunteers for their hard work on site this week. 

Day 6

Day 6, the day started well with another fry up courtesy of Georgeous. The group headed down to site and got everything set up, got some block laying, demolition, and digging underway, before enjoying Michelle's awesome blueberry cupcakes.

Kate, Ruth and Charlene set up the table saw and cut grooves into bricks.

Harrison and Pablo mixed 'gobbo' for the block layers.

Colin filled in a hole.

Olivia joined the block laying team for the day and laid more blocks than George.

Tina practiced alternative block laying techniques (please note, this shot was staged and Tina did not throw the mortar).

After lunch Colin ran digger taster sessions for the DofE-ers. 

After a long day, the wing walls at the bottom of the lock were near completion and the steps on Constitution Hill Bridge were finished.

After showers, the group had chicken casserole with roasties, followed by rhubarb crumble, jelly and I've cream and fruit salad. Then some of the volunteers burnt popcorn and watched a film.

Day 5

Day 5 saw an early start for the group who were ready and setting up on site at 8.30am. 

Shuttering was finished ready for concrete pours in two separate locations.

The lovely George (Georgeous) continued block laying.

Colin did some more digging.

Michelle's lemon drizzle cake was particularly good today.

The group finished early to spend the afternoon recharging their batteries.

Most of the group spent the afternoon at Chatsworth House, navigating the maze, eating ice cream, seeing the house, and admiring the interesting sculpture...

We thought it was about time the WRGies had a bit of culture...

A huge thank you to Chatsworth House for providing free entry for the group to the house and gardens. 

The group then headed to the scenic inland seaside town of Matlock Bath for fish and chips.

Day 4

Work started earlier in the week continued, and lots of digging was carried out by assistant leader, Colin, in his air-conditioned digger.

Colin's big hole:

A group carried on building shuttering ready for a concrete pour in the hole, to create a base to extend the wall.

Blockwork continued...

Andy consumed multiple cans of energy drink and had a lovely time while Chris found a good use for a traffic cone.

The group packed up, showered and enjoyed a hearty chicken and leek pie for dinner followed by bread and butter pudding.