Join the green team in 2012

The Bedfordshire Rural Community Charity’s (BRCC) Ivel Valley Conservation Volunteer (IVCV) group is seeking new members for 2012.

Members of the group can take part in a wide variety of countryside and community green space projects in East Bedfordshire.

Volunteers can get to know the area better and make new friends in the process.

Tasks due to take place in the coming months include hedge-laying in Shefford, building a boardwalk in Arlesey and tree and shrub management in Biggleswade.

The group has been running for more than 15 years and has improved access to parts of the countryside for walkers as well as habitats for wildlife.

Previous projects for volunteers have included bridge-building, fencing, tree-planting, scrub clearance and hedge-laying.

To date more than 750 tasks have been undertaken, on which members of the group have spent a total of 22,500 hours of volunteer time.

IVCV member Richard Cass said: “For me there are three good reasons for going on a task – the outdoor life, working with like-minded people and giving a return to the environment.

“But as a bonus you also get the benefits of better health from outdoor activity, making new friendships and gaining satisfaction from new challenges.”

Richard Lawrence, IVCV co-ordinator for the BRCC said: “We would like to say a very big thank-you to all of the volunteers who have given up their time and have shown so much enthusiasm over the years.

“Now we would like the group to grow to enable us to implement exciting projects that we have planned for the coming months and years.”

Would-be volunteers can also be assured that no specific skills are required.

Richard added: “Although some tasks require certain skills, these can be gained on-the-job and there is always something to do for even the least experienced.

“If you would like to come along each week, or just occasionally, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

“No previous experience is required, just a desire to muck in and enjoy the great outdoors!”

The IVCV group meets on Tuesdays and is always keen to welcome new volunteers.

For more information contact Richard Lawrence on 01767 626451.