VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
AUGUST-OCTOBER 2020
Programme introduction We are once again able to operate a revised volunteer conservation programme but it is necessary to alter the way in which we do this because of Covid 19.
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Group size must be smaller to conform with social distancing measures and will be a maximum of 6 people. Our sites have been assessed for social distancing.
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Telephone bookings will be necessary in advance in view of the limited places.
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Health and wellbeing measures remain paramount AND IF YOU ARE FEELING AT ALL UNWELL, PLEASE DO NOT CONSIDER JOINING US UNTIL YOU ARE FEELING BETTER!
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Tools will need carefully allocating and should be kept for the whole day if at all possible. They will need to be wiped down throughout the day.
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Volunteers are required to bring their own work gloves, as well as work clothes and suitable footwear.
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Please bring packed lunches and provide your own hot/cold drinks as required.
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Please bring your own soap or hand sanitiser. We suggest a hygiene kit of soap/sanitiser, towel and flask of hot water for washing hands at break times.
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Please help us to help you and reassure us all over health and hygiene. KEEP YOUR OWN GLOVES; CLEAN YOUR TOOLS; WASH YOUR HANDS and KEEP YOUR DISTANCE - GTHD for short!!
Although we are unable to operate at full strength you can be reassured that we are managing to maintain our regular sites with a small group. New projects are on hold at the moment.
At Penhale we did a lot of cutting back, and maintenance of paths and other vegetation. The residents living in the sheltered accommodation seemed very happy to welcome us back.
We have completed the new dipping platform at Mossgate and planted the pond with oxygenators and marginals. A very satisfactory project which we will carry on managing for the school.
All our wildflower plots have done well this season, with noticeable increases in bee and insect activity.
23 AUGUST - Mossgate School, Heysham This is a change from the current programme to allow us to finish the dipping platform before the grand return to school on 1st September. We will also weed our newly planted trees and cut the grass path through the woodland.
6 SEPTEMBER - Great Wood School, Bare After this tremendous growing season, we will need to cut back brambles from the woodland paths and strim around the pond and also the wildflower area. It will enable the children to access their outdoor classroom, with lots of opportunities for social distancing.
20 SEPTEMBER - Belmount Farm meadows and newly laid hedge, Slyne An annual portion of the meadows will need to be strimmed and raked off to lower fertility and enhance diversity. The hedge will need checking and weeding to help the new plants to become established. The copse will need checking and some canopy raising may be required.
11 OCTOBER - Bee and butterfly garden, Hazelwood Farm, Silverdale What a great season in this beautiful garden which we have helped to create. Look at our gallery to see the photos. Now is the time to do some cutting back and preparation for next season. There may be an opportunity to do some more drystone walling.
