Client: International Defence Company
Event: Green Banana Day
Venue: Nature Reserve, Bristol
Objectives
Thirty-five members of the team swapped mental work for physical work on a sunny day in September when they laid an 'Access for All' trail at a nature reserve in Bristol. The objective of the day was to lay a section of path enabling disabled and non-disabled visitors to access the site following the re-development of the nature reserve's farm buildings.
Logistics
The objectives were achieved as the group laid the entire area of remaining pathway utilising all the materials available at the site. The team had to lay a synthetic membrane into a channel previously dug out by machine. They then had to cover with aggregate and fine dust which had to be compressed and rolled flat to provide a suitable surface for wheelchairs.
Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the derelict farm buildings are being converted into a residential education centre complete with conferencing suites and small business units. The completed trail now provides easy access to the site for all visitors. The work was physically demanding, but engendered a great sense of achievement within the team who knew that their efforts would enhance the visitor experience to the site for many years to come.
Testimonial
The Nature Reserve's Conservation Officers were totally amazed and one of the clients' directors commented: "Thank you to you and the Top Banana team for arranging and facilitating the team building event at the nature reserve. I was very pleased to see everybody work so well together to produce a superb stretch of path, clearly far more than conservation officers had expected, in such a positive and team like manner. Of course it probably helped that we were kept so well fed and watered! Thanks again and best regards."
Top Banana visited the site in advance to plan the project which included:
| . | Clearance of debris and laying of membrane within the path channel |
| . | Erection of wood planks alongside the edges of the channel |
| . | Wheelbarrow hardcore from the woods to the path channel |
| . | Compress the hardcore before collecting the fine dust |
| . | Smooth fine dust on top of the path with flat wood panel |
| . | Remove any large particles |
| . | Roller and smooth the final top layer. |
