Interested in volunteering? Here’s why some of our people do it ..
Whatever their roles, our volunteers are essential to the success of Langdyke. Some – like Angela Trotter (membership) and Sheila Dunford (finance) carry out critical administration roles. Ian Willson leads the team of volunteers putting out seed for Turtle Doves and Jean Stowe can be seen out and about with her clipboard surveying wild flowers. Others turn out in all weathers to do manual tasks at our weekly work parties. We asked some of them to tell us why they do it
Name
Sue Welch
Q : Why do you volunteer?
A: I love nature and want to protect it and I also like working outside
Q: What aspect of nature interest you the most?
A: Birds, but also just being out in our wonderful countryside
Q: What’s good about your volunteering role?
A: Learning loads from other volunteers who have particular skills. I also get the benefit of enjoying a workout while saving money on gym fees. There are also lots of free training courses and I love being with like-minded people and making new friends.
Q: What’s not so good about the role?
A: I can’t think of anything
Q: Which Langdyke reserve is your favourite?
A: Bainton for its secrecy, Swaddywell for its beauty and orchids and Etton Maxey for its birds. It seems I don’t really have a favourite.
Name
Graham Boyden
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: I volunteer for both work parties because if feels good to give nature and areas of interest a helping hand.
Q: What aspect of nature interest you the most?
A: Ornithology is my main interest
Q: What’s good about your volunteering role?
A: Seeing the wildlife, enjoying the chance to be in the fresh air and being with like-minded people.
Q: What’s not so good about the role?
A: To be honest, nothing comes to mind
Q: Which Langdyke reserve is your favourite?
A: Tricky! All sites have their pros and cons, but I think the Etton Maxey reserve is my favourite because of the type of landscape.
Name
Ann Bell
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: Officially it is to help nature and keep fit – but I guess it is to eat Sue Welch’s cake if I’m really honest! Seriously though, I just love it. It’s been great also that I’ve been able to spread the word to others and I have recruited two new volunteers in the last year who enjoy it as much as I do
Q: What aspect of nature interest you the most?
A: My main interest before working at Swaddywell was birds, but now I’m interested in butterflies and I help with the weekly count. I also love orchids and newts … well everything really. I love to protect what is there.
Q: What’s good about your volunteering role?
A: Learning new skills and meeting like-minded people. Feeling a sense of achievement, even though sometimes you can’t always see what we’ve done. My body always tells me I’ve worked hard!
Q: What’s not so good about the role?
A: No sooner we get rid of brambles, willow and silver birch they grow back. But I guess it’s all part of the joys of nature.
Q: Which Langdyke reserve is your favourite?
A: Swaddywell to work in, though I love to walk around Etton Maxey
Name
Adrian Hallam
Q: Why do you volunteer?
A: I wanted to do something positive to help the environment and give something back, as I enjoy the natural environment. The work, if you can call it that, is varied and keeps me fit. Langdyke was something I was involved with in the past and is local, hence the ideal choice.
Q: What aspect of nature interest you the most?
A: I enjoy bird watching and the challenge of finding particular birds or identifying a bird I have seen. It fascinates me how different birds come and go at different times of the day or year.
Q: What’s good about your volunteering role?
A: I get to give something back and work with a good bunch of people. It is not all work, we have a chat and laugh particularly at the end of the working party over lunch. We also see more of the reserve and the wildlife there.
Q: What’s not so good about the role?
A: Getting my feet wet when I was sure my boots did not leak last time I used them.
Q: Which Langdyke reserve is your favourite?
A: Etton Maxey pit as it is local to me but I also like Swaddywell, so I am torn between the two. It is nice to be able to visit so many nice natural spaces locally.
If you would like to volunteer we would love to hear from you. We can find jobs for people working from home or coming to our reserves. We can also match the roles with your abilities. Why not give it a go. Please contact us at volunteer@langdyke.org.uk