VOLUNTEER WORK PARTIES ON PARISH OPEN SPACES

PROGRAMME FOR LIONS HILL, AVON HEATH AND MOORS VALLEY

Volunteer work parties help regularly with the conservation of our parish open spaces. They help with the management of heathland and, in Moors Valley, the management of woodland, ponds and Crane Lake. Residents are very welcome to join these parties. Gloves, tools, supervision, drinks and biscuits are provided. All task leaders are qualified first-aiders. Wear sensible footwear, old clothes, and bring a picnic if staying all day. Most tasks start at 10.00am and finish by 3.00pm or as soon as we get too tired! There is little to do in the garden during Autumn and Winter but it is a very busy time for conservation work. As little as one hour of help can make a tremendous difference to our local green spaces. Think of it as coarse gardening! Have fun, get some exercise and do something useful. Parking is free for all volunteers on all sites.

A group of volunteers meet regularly every Thursday throughout the year, and one Sunday a month in the Autumn and Winter at Avon Heath Country Park.

Work parties in Avon Heath are organised by Marco and Kate (Tel. 01425 478082). They usually meet at the Rangers' Work Base, please note this is NOT the Visitors Centre. If you need directions please don't hesitate to contact them. Please telephone to let them know you are coming so they have enough tools for everyone on the day, and to check the meeting point as occasionally they carry out work at South Park and other sites. New volunteers always welcome! Work parties start at 10am and finish around 3pm. Please wear old clothes, sensible footwear and bring a packed lunch if staying all day. They often have a bonfire to burn off the brash, so please consider this when choosing your clothes for the day! Hot drinks and biscuits are provided.

Avon Castle residents meet every other Tuesday morning to clear wild rhododendron and unwanted pine from the Ashley Strip, a heathland SSSI between Avon Castle and the Spur Road. Contact local resident Graham Viggars (01425 472027) for details.

Avon Heath Timetable:
Thursdays – every week 10am – 3pm

The Eastern Area Rangers Paul Jones and Will Holland (Dorset Countryside) have the following work parties booked for Winter 2011, please phone to confirm meeting points and times, Tel: 01425 483809:

Sunday 1st October
Sunday 30th October
Sat & Sun 12th & 13th November
Sunday 27th November
Sunday 11th December

There is also a Dorset Countryside Volunteers task on the Castleman Trailway at West Moors on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October.
Meet at Braeside Road (off Moorlands Road), West Moors. Contact Doug Kite on 01305 265402, or the work site on the day on 07929 961532.