From wall restorations to litter picking and bench cleaning volunteer groups across Nottinghamshire are helping to look after our favourite parks.

Alongside employed staff, these unsung heroes play a vital role in their park's upkeep, but many view it as a pleasant way to spend a day.

Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council has expressed their gratitude for the work put in by volunteers - as well as their passion towards conservation campaigns.

James Dymond, parks and open spaces development manager, from the city council, said: “We are always pleased when the work of our growing team of volunteers is recognised because we are extremely grateful to those who give up their time.

"In the current climate, volunteers offer considerable support and expertise. In many cases, we could not deliver projects without a level of volunteer involvement.

"Volunteers and Friends Groups have undoubtedly contributed to Nottingham having more Green Flag parks and community spaces than any other council area in the UK.

"While the city council benefits greatly from volunteer support in parks, it is worth pointing out that our volunteers get lots out of it too.

"They get experience of working in the great outdoors, and making a difference in the community, as well as the environment.

"Studies have also shown that helping others increases happiness and can improve both our mental and physical health. I’d encourage people to join us and have a go.”

Sally Gill, Nottinghamshire County Council’s planning group manager added:  “Volunteers are vital in making Nottinghamshire a great place to live.

"We are really grateful for all the fantastic work they do, helping make our green spaces and county parks even better.

“If you have some spare time, volunteering to help other people can be very rewarding as well as being a chance to gain new skills, knowledge and make a difference to your local community.”

A spokesman for the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust also said: "We have been working with Friends of Groups for many years and has first-hand experience of the valuable contribution they make to caring for local green spaces.

"The combination of local knowledge, passion and enthusiasm that volunteers bring makes a tremendous difference and many important parks, nature reserves and other green spaces across the county would be poorer without their contribution.”

Here are some of the many volunteer and Friends groups, that are all keen to see more people join their cause.

Bestwood Country Park.

 

Friends of Bestwood Country Park, Bestwood Village

Website: www.fbcp.org.uk

Where? NG6 8TQ

When do they meet? Each third Thursday at 7pm at the Bestwood Lodge Hotel

What do they say? "From kings to coal. For people and wildlife.

"Our wonderful park of over 600 acres entices you with lakes, woodland, pastures, heritage - and great cakes!

"We regularly have more than 140 members including teams of volunteers giving many thousands of hours of their time each year to our wonderful park and what a difference they make!

"Our recent appeal for Andy’s Adventure Playground raised over £19,000 allowing the county council to access a further £50,000 of funding from WREN.

"We’re funding an annual bursary to discover more about the park wildlife and now we want to freshen our group up, bring in new ideas and new people to our meetings."

Volunteers of the Friends of Cotgrave Country Park get stuck in with a bit of tree planting.

Friends of Cotgrave Country Park, Cotgrave

Website: www.cotgravecountrypark.co.uk/volunteer

Where? NG12 3JW

When do they meet? Usually every 6 weeks at 7pm on Tuesdays in the Cotgrave Futures Building.

What do they say? "As  a small group of local enthusiasts with the country park at heart our aim is to make the park a worthwhile place to visit.

"Duties include liaising with visitors to enhance their experience when visiting the park. These people give their time freely for the benefit of the park and the public.

"We have enjoyed tasks by working with local school children in the replanting of many trees around the park.

"Their latest work was the planting of over 200 trees which was successfully completed in just one day last month.

"In 2017 we were proud to be voted the best park in the Rushcliffe area - that makes the work worthwhile."  

Chair of the friends of Wollaton Park group, Pete Forster pictured at the Walled Garden at Wollaton Park.

Friends of Wollaton Park, Wollaton 

Website: www.facebook.com/groups/333427443467194

Where? NG8 2AE

When do they meet? Every Thursday 9.30am by the 508 café at Wollaton Park and each second Sunday of each month at 10.30am

What do they say? The friends' group works on various tasks, such as bench-cleaning, cutting back shrubs and clearing pathways.

Most recently, the group has undertaken a project to restore a wall, in the park's 'secret' garden, which has gained a lot of public interest.

Having successfully completed the first stage of the restoration project the group is keen to continue its work to revive the area.

They have also helped to build awareness for the deer that live in the park, helping to organise a plaque in memory of a stag that was fatally shot.

Friends of Moor Pond Wood, Papplewick 

Website: www.papplewick.org/community/FriendsofMPW.html

Where? Between Papplewick, Hucknall and Linby, close to the B683 and B6011

When do they meet? The final Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm, at the Village Hall in Papplewick.

What do they say? "The Moor Pond Woods project relies on volunteers."

There are opportunities for volunteers in historical research, day-today maintenance, archaeological exploration, surveying, fundraising, construction and photography.

Rushcliffe Country Park
Rushcliffe Country Park

Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park, Ruddington

Website: www.friends-of-rcp.co.uk

Where? NG11 6JS

When do they meet? Wednesdays at 9.30 am and usually work until around 2pm.

What do they say? "The Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park is a voluntary group formed in October 1997 and a registered charity which meets regularly and carries out improvement projects along with conservation work.

"Over the years the park has grown and developed into what many people now consider to be their favourite park.

"There is a huge variation of wildlife at the park due to the diversity of well managed habitats. This has all been achieved by the dedicated rangers and equally dedicated team of volunteers."

Friends of the Southwell Trail, Southwell

Website: www.facebook.com/friendsofsouthwelltrail

Where? Nearest town/village Southwell, Edingley, Kirklington, Farnsfield & Bilsthorpe

What do they say? "We are a group of people who are passionate about the Southwell Trail The trail, which was an old railway line, is now a local nature reserve and connects Bilsthorpe to Southwell. 

"The trail provides a haven for fauna and flora, as well as a place for recreational activities such as walking, horse riding, cycling and picnics.

"The Friends take part in conservation activities such as tree work and hedgelaying, guided walks, bird and flower surveys, maintaining nest boxes and lectures on the history and wildlife of the trail."

Gedling Country Park

Friends of Gedling Country Park, Gedling

Website: www.gedlingcountrypark.org.uk

Where? NG4 4PE - meet at the FGCP green container, next to the children's play area.

When do they meet? Volunteer days are most Sundays between 10,30am and 1.30pm. A list is displayed on the wooden notice board just outside the main entrance to Cafe 1899.

What do they say? Developed in 2014, the group helps to develop and maintain the new country park, on the site of the old Gelding Colliery.

"We're working on ideas and plans for ensuring that the flora, fauna and general environment are recorded and developed in ways that enhance them.

"We were initially formed as an unincorporated association (effectively a small community group) and then in May 2016 we successful applied to become a registered charity with the UK Charity Commission. This enables us to seek larger grants and donations and benefit from gift aid tax rebates."

Friends of Woodlands and Coach Wood Green, Shireoaks

Website: www.woodlandsandcoachwoodgreen.co.uk

Where? S81 8NQ - Area of wood and grassland next to Shireoaks Marina

When do they meet? Workdays on the first Friday / Saturday each month near the Coach Road bridge

What do they say? "We're a small band of people living in Shireoaks and the surrounding area that get together to preserve and protect the beautiful areas around our village. We are so lucky to have our woodland walks, canal paths and marina and we want to make sure we keep it that way.

"In the longer term, as a group we also have bigger plans to improve the area with the creation of a café, visitor centre and environmental study facility.

"We clear litter, strim/prune the edges of the paths, thin out the self set trees and pull out noxious weeds.

Current Tasks we undertake ourselves including signage, bird and bat boxes, species recording and developing Heritage and Wildlife Trails."

2017, Bulb Planting in the Formal Gardens.

Friends of Woodthorpe Grange Park, Sherwood 

Website: www.woodthorpefriends.co.uk

Where? NG5 4HA

When do they meet? The group meets on a bi-monthly basis in Woodthorpe Grange.

What do they say? "For seven years, there has been a voluntary group of like-minded people who care for Woodthorpe Grange Park and its environment.

"Initially the group acts as a link to the Nottingham City’s Parks and Leisure Department, by passing on any information regarding environmental issues that concern Woodthorpe Grange Park.

"In more recent times its members have been involved in voluntary activities like bulb planting in the park’s formal gardens.

"When there is an event taking place on Woodthorpe Park, one of groups’ members, who is a local historian, leads a guided walk around the park in which he takes in areas of historical interest seen at various points about the park.

"We are always on the lookout for new members and until such times as is free to join. and would like to come along to one of our meetings you will be made most welcome."

Protesters at the tree
Protesters at the tree

Friends of Colwick Woods, Colwick

Website: www.friendsofcolwickwoods.co.uk

Where?: Greenwood Road, Nottingham

When do they meet?: Visit the calendar on the website for upcoming events.

What do they say?: "A volunteer group formed in 2004 and working with Nottingham City Council to improve and protect the woods.

"The Friends of Colwick Woods is a not-for-profit organization whose aim is to protect, enhance and promote the woods for people and for wildlife.

"Objectives include the conservation of  the wildlife of the woods, the protection and enhancement of the landscape, documentation of the history of the woods, the promotion of public and educational use, and community involvement."

The group has been successful in dealing with planning applications that would affect the woods,  and most recently, has been involved in a campaign to save a historic Oak tree.

 

Friends of the Green Line, West Bridgford

Website: www.greenlineconservation.com

Where?: There are four access points - Melton Road, Boundary Road, bridge over Derbyshire Road and Welock Drive.

When do they meet?: Work Parties are posted on the website

What do they say?: "The Friends of the Green Line carry out a range of conservation management tasks which are guided by the site management plan.

"The plan has been developed by Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in order to ensure that the site is managed to improve its value for wildlife whilst providing a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors to enjoy."

The group highlights the different habitats which are managed, as well as meadow areas, and creating new homes for insects and small mammals.

Do you have a group that you think should be here? Email phoebe.ram@reachplc.com and let us know!