Volunteer Voices
Phil – Chairman, Friends of Baldock Greenspaces
I volunteered to chair the new 'Friends of Baldock Green Spaces' in 2004, and have continued in this role since. We organise volunteer working days at weekends every month or so, alternating between the Ivel Springs and Weston Hills sites in Baldock. Most of our volunteers can only attend at weekends, but being retired I am able to join the Northern Practical Conservation Volunteer group when they come to Baldock every couple of months. We have a small committee who meet with CMS and NHDC representatives twice a year to plan improvements to the two sites.
CMS have provided training for me in Project Leadership, First Aid, use of strimmers, and care and maintenance of fruit trees. I am also authorised to drive their Land Rover and trailer, so can transport all the tools needed for our volunteer activities.
Together with the other volunteers, I get a lot of satisfaction from our working days, especially from the improvements that are obvious at the end of each day. We always end up tired but happy!