Those keen calendar-watchers amongst us will know the 2017 working weekend is fast approaching.
This year it falls between Friday 26th and Monday 29th May, folk generally arriving in the late morning or midday but by no means to a strict timetable! As always, everyone is welcome at this most special gathering which provides such a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old Friends and get to know new ones. Each dedicated to preserving the Lochnagar Crater for now and for the future.
The working weekend has grown from strength to strength over recent years thanks to that selfless dedication shown by the Friends as a whole. So much has been achieved and it is much appreciated by the huge numbers of Pilgrims and visitors who come. Access for those with impaired mobility is now possible thanks to the ramp, walkway and new wreath-laying area; greater appreciation for what the lads endured back in 1916 has been afforded by the clearing of huge swathes of undergrowth around the edge, and with the creation of battlefield vistas all around the site, in places giving as much as 270 degrees of view across the old British front lines.
This year it would be nice if we can further improve the cleared areas in the hope of encouraging more grass, which in turn will help to show the original 1916 ground and shell-holes which abound everywhere. A more detailed plan of what work seems necessary will be circulated at the beginning of May.
It must be emphasised that everyone has something to offer at the working weekend. It is most certainly not just about the strimming, hedge-clipping, or digging. the Crater is truly awe-inspiring and we always hope to make the experience for visitors and Pilgrims a positive one; a few friendly words often has a profound effect on their appreciation of the place. The warmth and generosity of spirit of the Friends is so often commented upon when folk reflect on their visit to Lochnagar Crater.
And don’t forget that as a group, we usually have dinner at Le Poppy in La Boisselle on the Friday evening and then on the Sunday evening, as a wonderful finale to the weekend, a fabulous BBQ, so generously facilitated by David and Claire Disbrey at their Contalmaison farmhouse.
So please do come if you can, and be part of a really super bunch of people.
Iain Fry.
