Northamptonshire Projects

Completed Projects

Canal Restoration
Where? Cosgrove
When? Sunday 9th March 2003
What's it about? Help clear bed of disused canal and help with restoration work prior to re-watering. Tidy tow path to help walkers.
Where's it happening? Buckingham Canal, off Grand Union Canal, nr. Cosgrove Lock, Cosgrove
What will volunteers do? Clear bed of disused canal and tidy towpath, and help with further restoration work needed.
What to wear/bring: Refreshments, old clothes, gardening gloves if possible
What will be provided: Tools, first aid kit, hard hats
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Volunteers must be over 16 and under 70
How many NEW volunteers required? as many as possible
Volunteer Contact: Athina Beckett (01908 661217)
Press/Media Contact: Athina Beckett (01908 661217)
Organised by: Buckingham Canal Society
Email: athinabec@aol.com
REF E25

Kettering General Hospital Pocket Park
Where? Kettering
When? Sunday 23rd March 2003 (or Sunday 30th March, if wet)
What's it about? The Pocket Park has several features which require ongoing maintenance - the human sundial and the butterfly garden. We also wish to create two wildflower banks from any area of spoil resulting from recent hospital building work.
Where's it happening? Pocket Park, Kettering General Hospital, Kettering
What will volunteers do? Weed human sundial; weed butterfly garden; dig over wildflower bank, plant seeds and small plants.
What to wear/bring: Protective clothing, especially adequate footwear; gardening tools, if available; light refreshments
What will be provided: Gardening tools if volunteers unable to provide their own
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? No
How many NEW volunteers required? any number
Volunteer Contact: Dr R Cox/Ms Jane Fox (01858 565518/01536 493482)
Press/Media Contact: Dr Rosamond Cox (01858 565518)
Organised by: Pocket Park, Kettering General Hospital
REF E16

Bulb Planting in the Bluebell Wood
Where? Long Buckby
When? Sunday 16th March 2003
What's it about? Plant winter aconites and wood anemones. To redefine the pathway and additional bulb planting (snowdrops, bluebells, primrose).
Where's it happening? Mill Park Reserve Pocket Park, East Street, Long Buckby
What will volunteers do? Clear debris. Remove rotten/broken wooden path edgings and replace with new boards. Plant bulbs.
What to wear/bring: Wear warm clothing and wellingtons, bring waterproofs if necessary. Bring a trowel if you can!
What will be provided: Refreshments.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Partial
Any restrictions? No
How many NEW volunteers required? New volunteers wanted.
Volunteer Contact: Mike Ivens or Nick Wolfe (01327 843885/01327 843183)
Press/Media Contact: Mike Ivens (01327 843885)
Organised by: Mill Park Reserve Pocket Park
REF E360

Northampton Community Clean-ups/Residents Gating Scheme
Where? Northampton
When? 18th January 2003
What's it about? Local community groups, residents associations etc. will undertake litter-picks, clean-ups, tidy-ups etc.
Where's it happening? Ashwood/Beechwood Road - alley, Old Duston, Northampton
What will volunteers do? Litter picking, vegetation management, promotion and publicity.
What to wear/bring: Suitable warm and protective clothing, boots etc.
What will be provided: Bin bags, litter-pickers, gloves. Risk assessments prior to work. Final disposal of rubbish.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? No pets.
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Darren Rolls (01604 233500 ext.4474 (day), 07941 280408 (eve))
Organised by: Northampton Borough Council
REF E257

A & B Alley Clearance
Where? Northampton
When? Sunday 19th January 2003
What's it about? To clear rubbish and overgrown trees, weeds etc. from a local alleyway.
Where's it happening? Rear of 14 to 30 Ashwood Road, and 8 to 36 Beechwood Road, Northampton
What will volunteers do? Cut back overgrowing trees and shrubs, dig out elder and blackberry within the alley. Pick rubbish and bag up for pre-arranged collection. Chop out weeds, level ground and remove larger items (fence panels, large stones, planks etc.) to one end of alley ready for placing in skip.
What to wear/bring:
What will be provided: Bags, gloves and goggles (supplied by Northampton Borough Council Community Environment Development). Skip.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? No
How many NEW volunteers required? 0
Press/Media Contact: Vernon Nicholls (01604 751330)
Organised by: A & B Gating Scheme
REF E220

Northampton Community Clean-Ups
Where? Northampton
When? 29th January 2003
What's it about? Local community groups, residents associations etc. will undertake litter-picks, clean-ups, and tidy-ups.
Where's it happening? Studland Road Area, Northampton
What will volunteers do? A variety of tasks including litter picking, clearing rubbish, vegetation management and promotion and publicity.
What to wear/bring: Suitable warm and protective clothing and boots.
What will be provided: Bin bags, litter pickers and gloves; risk assessments prior to work; final disposal of rubbish.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? No pets.
How many NEW volunteers required?
Press/Media Contact: Darren Rolls (01604 233500 ext. 4474 (day), 07941 280408 (eve))
Organised by: Northampton Borough Council
REF E294

Infill Tree Plant
Where? Northampton
When? 1st April 2003
What's it about? We have planted two hedgerows in the past two years, partly as a service to neighbouring gardens, partly for wild life and partly for visual amenity. Not all of the trees have survived, so we now need to 'infill' the gaps.
Where's it happening? Abington Lodge Green, Taylor Avenue, Northampton
What will volunteers do? After brief training, including health and safety, plant new trees in the gaps of the two hedgerows.
What to wear/bring: Clothing and footwear suitable for the weather and prickles.
What will be provided: Tools, 1st aid training & drinks.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? Those under the age of 14yr need to be accompanied by an adult. No dogs please. Not suitable for those with mobility problems
How many NEW volunteers required? 10
Volunteer Contact: Kate Thurlow (01604 513660)
Press/Media Contact: Kate Thurlow (01604 853631 (day), 01604 513660 (eve))
Organised by: Abington Community Wildlife Group
REF E295

Operation Spring Clean
Where? Stanwick
When? 5th & 6th April 2003
What's it about? To clear our village of rubbish! In particular fly-tipping in ditches etc.
Where's it happening? Stanwick
What will volunteers do? Pick up rubbish and pack into suitable containers, eg. bags for general litter, boxes for glass etc., skip for large items.
What to wear/bring: Wellingtons and protective gloves. Packed lunch if needed. Useful tools, eg. wheelbarrow.
What will be provided: Bin bags, skip, drinks/biscuits, spare gloves, some tools.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? No
Any restrictions? No children under 5.
How many NEW volunteers required? as many as possible
Volunteer Contact: A Michel (01933 460294)
Press/Media Contact: A Michel (01604 679951 (day), 01933 460294 (eve))
Organised by: Stanwick Environmental Project (STEP)
REF E474

Welford Pocket Park Hedge Mulch
Where? Welford
When? 19th February 2003
What's it about? To keep our young hedge free of weeds we need to mulch it.
Where's it happening? Welford Pocket Park, Welford
What will volunteers do? Spread a thick layer of mulch at the base of the hedge.
What to wear/bring: Stout shoes and outdoor clothing, gloves if wished.
What will be provided: Hot drinks.
Is there wheelchair access to the site? Yes
Any restrictions? No
How many NEW volunteers required? 2 or 3
Volunteer Contact: Sarah Garrod (01858 570810)
Press/Media Contact: Sarah Garrod (01858 570810)
Organised by: Welford Pocket Park Group
REF E243