Would you like to get involved with community volunteering?
Jo, our Community Engagement Officer at St Aidan’s runs Community Volunteering events on the first Sunday morning of each month between 10am and 12pm.
We alternate between Litter Pick and Muck-In Events, meeting outside the Little Owl Café just before 10am. All equipment is provided (including gloves) but we do suggest that you wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Litter Picks – April, June, August, October & December
These are great events to get the whole family involved in to help keep the Park looking beautiful. We combine a walk with clearing litter around some of the more popular parts of the park. Don’t worry if you can’t stay for the full 2 hours, there is no obligation to stay for the whole event.
Muck-in – March, May, July, September & November
During these events we carry out a range of conservation-based activities. These are not suitable for young children, but older children and teenagers are very welcome.
Activities that we have carried out recently include tree
planting, Himalayan Balsam bashing, scrub clearance and dead hedge construction.
Here is a little more information about some of the tasks that we will be carrying out during future Muck-ins.
Dead Hedge Construction – Sunday March 5th
A dead hedge is an upright structure of woody cuttings woven between vertical stakes. The stakes are usually the sturdier branches cut from trees or shrubs. They provide a tangled maze and a perfect hideaway for birds such as blackbirds, robins, wren and dunnocks to nest and forage within.
You could even have a go at making your own dead hedge at home, they can make a great screen to separate areas or hide things like bins. They are a great way of using woody cuttings and prunings rather than putting them in your brown bin and can be built up over time. To find out more: https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/nature-on-your-doorstep/garden-activities/build-a-dead-hedge-for-wildlife/
Himalayan Balsam Bashing – Sunday July 2nd
Himalayan Balsam was introduced to the UK as a garden plant in 1839 but soon escaped and today is found along riverbanks and ditches. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly smothering native flowers. Each Himalayan Balsam plant can produce up to 800 seeds and can shoot them up to 7 metres away. The main way that we control balsam is by ‘bashing’ – pulling the plants before they flower and set seed. It comes out of the ground easily with a gentle, forceful tug and the activity can be surprisingly mindful.
For further information about any of these events please get in touch with our Community Engagement Officer Jo by email Joanna.lee@rspb.org.uk or phone 07719 079 221.