Saturday April 2nd saw the official start to 2016 activities when branch members got together to carry out a “work-in” at the landing jetty in Ballykeeran Lough which needed repairs and a lot of TLC in preparation for the arrival of the Shannon Rally.

The jetty was found to be in general poor condition with one major repair to be carried out. The steps from the gateway leading down to the jetty had become overgrown, and the jetty itself needed power washing and repairs having being submerged during the prolonged winter flooding. A new sheet of steel checker plate was welded into position at the start of the jetty, covering a section that had developed a large hole.

The sheet of checker plate being brought to the jetty and being placed for welding

Considerable persuasion and mild swearing followed as the framework underneath required levering and lifting to square things off and eliminate a potential trip hazard, but we got there!

Sparks fly as the welding gets under way

Power washing was a slow job, but it revealed that the jetty was in better condition than it appeared as the mud and residue were washed off, Some old steel gates were taken from the water…. sounds easy, but weeds and roots had grown through the mesh on the gates making it quite difficult. The old gates were taken away for disposal.

The overgrowth was cut back from the steps, the entrance cleared, weed were dug out, and the area was smoothed over and raked. Overall there was a lot of work done from 10am til 2, and it was a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Thanks to the crew, Brian Corcoran, Keith Rowe, Paul King, Ian Craig & Paul Prendergast. Thanks to Rosie King for the coffee and biccies, and a special word of thanks to Christoph Schaper for his generous donation of €100 which financed the sheet of checker plate

Paul King