Conservation work

In October 2008 CYCES contacted the rangers at Marbury Country Park near Northwich to see if we could volunteer. CYCES pupils were made very welcome and have volunteered regularly doing different jobs over the winter months.

Initially we did rhododendron bashing and burning, but as time when by and the young people learnt how to use a saw and other safety equipment we progressed onto doing other jobs.

Between Winter 2008 and Summer 2011 we have burnt and bashed, one acre of rhododendron, chopped and chipped an oak tree, planted 100 trees, built an artificial Sand Martin bank, burnt a reed bed, cleared sapling trees to enable Spotted Fly Catchers to nest, cleared an island of weeds, learnt how to light fires, cook outdoors, work as a team and had a good time in the countryside for free! We are hoping to continue this work next year at Marbury, and also at Lyme Park.

Last winter I also took a photo at Marbury Country Park and won an competition organised by the Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM).