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Summary of Activities |
Volunteers Assemble
At 10.00 am on the first Sunday of each month, sometimes an alternate Sunday, the Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteers meet at the end of Connaught Close and the the necessary equipment required for the task is loaded. We wait some time further to ensure all volunteers have arrived. After some informal conversation, the volunteers are then taken to the chosen site of the task.
Arrival at the Site
On arrival at the site, all equipment is offloaded from the minibus, and taken to where the task will take place. A demonstration is then given on how to use the relevant tools correctly, with regard to health and safety. In the event of an accident occurring during the task, a standard first aid kit and two qualified first aiders are on hand. Volunteers are strongly advised to have an anti-tetanus injection if doing this type of work regularly.
05.01.2003 - Horshoe Thicket before coppicing
Before commencement of the task, some light refreshment is offered. This consists of a choice of either tea or coffee. An assortment of biscuits is also available.
The Activities
These can be variable, depending on the chosen site. However, as an indication of their nature, they can be divided into the following main categories: -
| Construction Work | This work consists of building footbridges, undertaking fencing, and both building and repairing steps on various sites. There is also an opportunity for volunteers to learn the ancient art of hedgelaying. | The main sites in which construction work is carried out are:-
Walthamstow Marsh Tottenham Marshes Bully Point Waltham Way |
| Survey Work | Volunteers are introduced to plant identification and carry out surveys to see what effect outside elements have on certain species of plant. E.g. Surveying the effect of cattle grazing on on plants like Adders Tongue. | The most recent site in which survey work was carried out was:- Walthamstow Marsh |
| Coppicing | Coppices of trees are cut down to ground level stumps using handsaws and loppers. This ensures a regular supply of timber, whilst the trees grow new shoots from the stumps. The life span of the tree itself is also increased. Coppicing is done during the Autumn and Winter months of the year. | The main sites for Coppicing are:- Essex Filter Beds |
| Path, Forest and General Clearance | To make paths more accessible for walkers and improve the general appearance of an area, overgrown bracken has to be either uprooted or cut back. Overhanging tree branches, nettles etc. in forests, sometimes have to be tidied up. The debris is put into bags for disposal or left in a pile for later collection. Any litter, which might be found is also disposed of. It is not just empty cans and packets which people abandon in these areas. E.g. An abandoned motorcycle and settee were found in Ainslie Wood. | Examples of sites in which general clearance
takes place are:- Ainslie Wood |
| Ditch and Pond Clearance | Reeds and algae constantly spread in ponds and ditches. To keep this under control, they have to be regularly uprooted. Using waders, volunteers wade into the pond or ditch. The reeds are pulled out by hand, and left on the side of the bank for collection. Algae are pulled into the bank using rakes. | The main site for this task is:- Springfield Marina at Walthamstow Marshes |
| Tree and Bulb Planting | When bracken has been cleared away from a neglected area, it is sometimes necessary to improve the area’s diversity. This is effected by planting either plants or small trees in clusters | The most recent site in which this task was
effected was:- Tottenham Marshes |
| Building Stag Beetle Loggeries | Creating nesting sites to benefit these rare and impressive insects | We did this work at Organ Lane, Chingford |
Lunch Breaks
Around 1.30pm the Task Leader decides on an hour’s lunch break from work. This is an opportunity for volunteers to get acquainted with each other, and reflect on what has so far been achieved. Packed lunches are eaten, with further tea or coffee and biscuits. If there is a café nearby, (e.g. Springfield Café by Springfield Marina), some volunteers might have lunch there.
Finale
Around 2.30pm progress made on the task is ascertained. The remaining time is spent putting the finishing touches to it. Either a local ranger or the local nature conservation officer sometimes check our work.
05.01.2003 - Horshoe Thicket after coppicing
Around 4.00pm the Task Leader calls a halt to the day’s work. The equipment is gathered up and brought to the minibus. Before reloading, quantities of each type of tool used are checked to ensure none are left behind. The equipment is then reloaded.
Conclusion
Spending a Sunday doing conservation work is both enjoyable and worthwhile. There is an opportunity, once a month, to learn new skills and meet people with similar interests. Conservation work is also a healthy form of exercise. In doing this work both the environment and the volunteer’s own fitness are improved.
Lea Bridge Conservation Volunteers
1 Connaught Close, Leyton E10 7QS
Tel: 020 8521 7555, E-mail: info@lbcv.co.uk