We have another guest blogger contributing this week. This time regular Greengrid Taskforce volunteer Sharon Cattermole tells us about her experiences as a conservation volunteer...
"I joined the Greengrid Taskforce as a volunteer in January 2008 at the scrub clearing day at Hadleigh Castle Country Park . I was very nervous as I had never done anything like this before, but Jenny very soon put me at my ease and I was made to feel very welcome. Since then, I have helped to build the hedge at the Salvation Army Farm, cleared scrub at Wat Tyler, helped in the wildlife garden in Chalkwell Park , and cleared Alexandras along Belton Way . Everyone is so friendly, and it’s great to be part of a team that is making a real difference to the environment.
"I enjoy being out in the open air, and am slowly replenishing my stock of Vitamin D after spending 16 years working for a local bank! Joining Greengrid has really helped my confidence and given me something else to focus on, after having a few months off work to recover from a major trauma.
"Since joining the group, I have undertaken my own crusade collecting litter along the Prittle Brook path between Leigh and Belfair’s Woods; this is a very pretty walk, as the photos show, with many wild flowers such as comfrey, cow parsley and bluebells and birds including an egret; this footpath is used by dog walkers, and children who use it as a short cut to school.
The council recently did a sweep of the brook and cleared most of the rubbish cutting back the intrusive trees and shrubs which has made a huge difference to the area.
I am looking forward to being involved in many more task days."
Sharon Cattermole
Greengrid Taskforce Volunteer
For more information about conservation volunteering in South Essex, visit our website;
www.groundwork-southessex.org.uk/Volunteers
Jenny Price's blog