Cambridgeshire Projects

Completed Projects

Roman Road - Hay Cutting and Raking
Where? Cambridge (nr.)
When? 15th January 2003
What's it about? Restoration of chalk grassland on this linear site with short turf of special wildlife interest. Longer, rank areas of grass will be cut and raked off to encourage the rarer flora.
Where's it happening? Worsted Lodge, Babraham, Cambridge (nr.)
What will volunteers do? Rake up cut grassland into piles.
What to wear/bring: Wear old clothes and sturdy boots. Packed lunch. Waterproofs.
What will be provided: Tools, gloves, hot drinks at lunchtime.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Age 18-70. No pets.
How many NEW volunteers required? 0
Press/Media Contact: Ian Webb (01223 712410)
Organised by: Cambridge Greenbelt Project
REF E222

Pond Clearance
Where? Grafham
When? Sunday 9th February 2002
What's it about? Remove debris from pond, open up area around pond to allow light in. This will bring the pond back to life, increasing pond life and wildlife in the immediate area.
Where's it happening? West Wood, Ollington to Grafham Road, Grafham
What will volunteers do? Using bow saws and slashers, remove overgrowth from around the pond. Using crome, drag out debris from pond and place into habitat piles.
What to wear/bring: All weather clothing, wellington boots
What will be provided: Refreshments and sausage in a roll. Safety equipment. Washing facilities. Tools and training.
Is there wheelchair access to the site?
Any restrictions? Age 16+
How many NEW volunteers required? 10 to 20
Volunteer Contact: Sam Malt (01480 810844 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Press/Media Contact: Sam Malt (01480 810844 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Organised by: Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group
REF E28

Woodland Ride Recreation
Where? Grafham Water
When? Sunday 26th January 2003
What's it about? To open up old ride through woodland allowing easy access in the future
Where's it happening? Anglian Water Intake Works on B661, Grafham Water
What will volunteers do? Open up old ride through woodland by removing overgrowth, small trees and brashings. Clearing ride and making habitat piles from cuttings and trimmings.
What to wear/bring: All weather clothing, stout boots/footwear
What will be provided: Refreshments and sausage in a roll. Safety equipment. Tools. Training. Washing facilities.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Age 16+
How many NEW volunteers required? 10 to 20
Volunteer Contact: Sam Malt (01480 810844 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Press/Media Contact: Sam Malt (01480 810844 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Organised by: Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group
REF E27

River Cam Otter Holt
Where? Hauxton (nr.)
When? 8th January 2003
What's it about? Volunteers will build an otter holt from logs and branches from previous pollarding done on site. Will provide an important potential site for otters to breed.
Where's it happening? River Cam, Hauxton (nr.)
What will volunteers do? Arrange logs and brash into an otter holt, using bow saws and loppers to cut wood to length.
What to wear/bring: Old clothes, sturdy footwear/wellies, packed lunch.
What will be provided: Gloves, tools, hot drinks and biscuits at lunchtime.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Age range 18-70.
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Mark Ricketts (01223 712410, 07734 478462 (mob.))
Organised by: Cambridge Greenbelt Project
REF E190

Coppicing
Where? Leighton Bromswold
When? Sunday 2nd February 2003
What's it about? Cutting down small and medium trees leaving stools to regrow. Creating longer life to woodland and opening up areas to light. Creating more plant life and encouraging more wildlife.
Where's it happening? Leighton Gorse Wood, Leighton Bromswold
What will volunteers do? Cut down small trees with bow saws. Create dead hedging around coppice area with trimmings. Place larger trunk sections in pile, will be used as logs later. Tidy area.
What to wear/bring: All weather clothing, stout boots/footwear
What will be provided: Refreshments and sausage in a roll. Safety equipment. Washing facilities. Tools and training.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Age 16+
How many NEW volunteers required? 10 to 20
Volunteer Contact: Sam Malt (01480 810844 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Press/Media Contact: Sam Malt (01480 810844 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Organised by: Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group
REF E30

Improving Access
Where? Leighton Bromswold
When? Sunday 2nd March 2003
What's it about? Improve access to Leighton Gorse Wood, removing overgrowth, cutting down nettles and opening up to Greate area the walk through woodland.
Where's it happening? Leighton Gorse Wood, Leighton Bromswold
What will volunteers do? Open up access to coppice areas. Trim overhanging branches using loppers. Cut down overgrowth and nettles.
What to wear/bring: All weather clothing, stout boots/footwear
What will be provided: Refreshments and sausage in a roll. Safety equipment. Washing facilities. Tools and training.
Is there wheelchair access to the site?
Any restrictions? Age 16+
How many NEW volunteers required? 10 to 20
Volunteer Contact: Sam Malt (01480 81084 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Press/Media Contact: Sam Malt (01480 81084 (day), 01480 811654 (eve))
Organised by: Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group
REF E29

Hedge Laying for Wildlife
Where? Little Paxton
When? Sunday 5th January 2003
What's it about? To lay several sections of an overgrown hedge on the Ouse Valley Way Long Distance Footpath. The aim is to transform the tall sparse hedge into a thick, sprawling hedge suitable for a range of wildlife. This will enhance the enjoyment of the thousands of walkers who use the OVW each year.
Where's it happening? Ouse Valley Way, Little Paxton
What will volunteers do? Remove and burn brash as it is cut from the hedge by qualified chain saw operatives. Smaller bushes will be cut by volunteers (after on-site training). Hand tools (bow saws and loppers) will be used.
What to wear/bring: Wear boots or stout shoes, and warm clothing.
What will be provided: Gloves, hard hats, all tools needed and instruction in their safe use. Hot tea and coffee and biscuits. First aid.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? No pets. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult who takes responsibility for them.
How many NEW volunteers required? 5
Volunteer Contact: Dr Ray Matthews (01480 215277)
Press/Media Contact: Dr Ray Matthews (01480 215277)
Organised by: Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
REF E202

Helping Breeding Waders: Island Homes
Where? Little Paxton
When? Sunday 2nd February 2003
What's it about? Redshank and Lapwing are amber-listed birds of 'Conservation Concern'. Their continued successful breeding on the Sailing Lake at Lt Paxton depends on annual management of the vegetation on two islands. With Paxton Lakes Sailing Club members, RSPB volunteers will prepare habitat on the island ready for the birds' return in early March. The resulting breeding waders can be enjoyed by Sailing Club members and the Public (which has unrestricted access by permissive paths, around the lake).
Where's it happening? Paxton Lakes Sailing Club, Little Paxton
What will volunteers do? Volunteers will cross to the islands in the Sailing Club's rescue boat (under the control of Sailing Club members). Bushes and brambles will be cut and cleared by volunteers using bow saws, loppers and rakes. Some cutting will be done using machines operated by qualified (and certificated) expert volunteers. Cut material will be burnt on site. Some gravelly areas will be rotavated. Rotavators will be operated by selected volunteers with either previous experience or 'under training' by expert operatives.
What to wear/bring: Wear boots and warm clothing.
What will be provided: Protective gloves, knee pads, goggles, hardhats, all tolls, hot tea and coffee. Training in the safe use of all tools, and for working in the vicinity of machines, will be given before work starts. Transport to and from islands. Qualified first aider.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Access in and out of the boat is unsuitable for wheelchairs. Pets are not permitted for safety reasons. Volunteers must be aged 16 years or over (this restriction arises from insurance requirements covering the boat trip). All volunteers must be registered, in advance, as RSPB Volunteers.
How many NEW volunteers required? 5
Volunteer Contact: Ray Matthews (01480 215277)
Press/Media Contact: Ray Matthews (01480 215277)
Organised by: RSPB - St Neots Area
REF E207

Creating Shallow Ponds
Where? Little Paxton
When? Sunday 9th March 2003
What's it about? To extend a series of shallow wet flushes on open ground once used for gravel storage. This habitat attracts invertebrates which is, in turn, food for wagtails, and amphibians.
Where's it happening? Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, Little Paxton
What will volunteers do? Scoop away the top few inches of gravel/soil to create one or more shallow 'ponds' or 'puddles' which will remain wet through autumn, winter and spring.
What to wear/bring: Wear boots and warm clothing.
What will be provided: Protective gloves and knee pads. Training in safe use of all tools will be provided before work starts. First Aid kit and qualified first aider.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? No pets for safety reasons. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who takes responsibility for them.
How many NEW volunteers required? 20-30
Volunteer Contact: Ray Matthews (01480 215277)
Press/Media Contact: Ray Matthews (01480 215277)
Organised by: Friends of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve
REF E230

Care for New Ark Animals
Where? Peterborough
When? December 24th 2002 - January 1st 2003
What's it about? Feeding and caring for animals at New Ark City Farm over Christmas and New Year. Recruitment of volunteers to do it while farm is closed for holiday.
Where's it happening? New Ark Adventure Playground & City Farm, Hull Close, Reeves Way, Peterborough
What will volunteers do? Feed and care for animals - clean runs, cages and pens. Give food and water. Collect eggs, Check animals are healthy.
What to wear/bring: Warm work clothes, wet weather gear, wellington boots
What will be provided: Work gloves, training, animal food, refreshments
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? Children under 16 must be accompanied. No dogs or other animals to be brought on site.
How many NEW volunteers required? up to 10
Volunteer Contact: Carolyn Bellamy (01733 340605)
Press/Media Contact: Paul Gallagher/Carolyn Bellamy (01733 340605)
Organised by: Newark Play Association
REF E3

Planting Native Fruiting Shrubs for Wildlife
Where? St Neots
When? 15th March 2003
What's it about? Plant groups of native fruiting shrubs in the new community 'pocket' nature reserve in St Neots. The shrubs will be valuable as a food source for wildlife, and will help visitors as to appreciate their uses and (for those which are harmful to humans), their dangers.
Where's it happening? Sudbury Meadow, Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford, St Neots
What will volunteers do? Volunteers will plant the shrubs and mulch with bark chips.
What to wear/bring: Wear very stout footwear and clothing suitable for working outdoors in (possibly) cold/wet weather. Gardening gloves should be worn.
What will be provided: Refreshments, spades, wheel barrow, knee pads, first aid kit, instruction in correct planting methods, and correct use of tools.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Not suitable for children under the age of 12 years. Those between the ages of 12 and 16 years must be accompanied by an adult who takes responsibility for them.
How many NEW volunteers required? 5
Volunteer Contact: Alison Pearson (01480 374 792)
Press/Media Contact: Alison Pearson (01480 374 792)
Organised by: Friends of Sudbury Meadow
REF E425