A CIRCLE of stones that will highlight Chipping Sodbury’s links to quarrying moved a step closer as a team of volunteers cleared the roundabout they will sit on.

Armed with chainsaws, clippers, strimmers and a shredder the 10-man team spent four hours removing vegetation and preparing the land on Smarts Green roundabout last Thursday.

“It was chilly but by the time we finished uprooting trees and brambles and shredding everything we were all remarkably warm,” says Sodbury in Bloom secretary Julia Bernau.

Stones have been delivered to the site for Sodbury Ring, donated by Hanson, and will be lifted in to place by a crane operated by Sanctus which has been working at nearby Barnhill Quarry.

Two Waitrose employees, Phil Jones and Emma Day, helped out after taking advantage of the company’s scheme that allows staff to do voluntary projects and still be paid.

Between them the team removed three dead trees and others that weren’t flourishing, cleared undergrowth, and chopped the wood through a shredder. Some of the trees will be replaced along with other planting.

“We were very careful not to do anything that would affect habitats and created a few log piles for creatures to hide in. It’s not going to be another Stonehenge but it will look good when it’s finished and it will create a link with our long history of quarrying.”

‘In Bloomers’ across the country aim to create sustainable schemes and the Sodbury team have worked in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council to ensure the project enhances the roundabout in a way that can be managed.

“When we switched the shredder off it was blissfully quiet and we looked around and couldn’t believe we’d done it,” Julia says. “We were shattered but we’re a good team and we have fun together.”

Other projects on the go include the planting of primroses on the riverbank outside the Millennium Garden with money provided by the Rotary Club.

“It’s important that people realise we’re not just running around with hanging baskets in the summer but working all year round. Sodbury is a very nice place to live and we want to keep it looking good for everyone.”