Guest Blog, Joselyn Rankin, Head of Communications, Portakabin
When I looked at the kitchen window that morning, my heart sank. The forecast drizzle had turned into light rain and every fibre of my body had to be willed into action to pull on my wellies and make my way to Westfield Marsh. Maybe it would brighten up?
Several other York Cares Ambassadors and I had been invited down to Westfield Marsh to kick start Volunteers Week. Of course, the weather wasn’t behaving, and low cloud hung over the Vale of York.
Pitched to us as removing scrub and improving biodiversity of the site, I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived but I’m so glad I committed and turned up on the day.
First things first, a quick interview with Julia Lewis at BBC York about York Cares Big Community Challenge and why volunteering is so important for everyone at Portakabin. Lizzie from Aviva, Laura from boxxe and I all had a chance to say our piece.
Then we had our equipment and safety briefing from Jenny Lee, part of the Eco York team at York City Council. Keep the pointy end away from each other and take your time!
We’d be tasked with removing trees from the marsh land as the trees and their roots drain the area of its much-needed water supply. We’d made sure to check in the larger trees for any nesting birds before we donned our gloves, picked up our saws and got started!
A small group of us got to work on the tree, removing the branches and clearing the area around the base of the tree and another group stripped the branches into smaller piles so they could be removed from the area to make another habitat elsewhere on the site. Nothing went to waste and everything that was removed was redistributed to a different location on the marsh.
It was hard work but incredibly rewarding as we saw the tree shrink and our piles grow! The time flew and by 12.30pm we’d removed two full trees from the marsh as well as prepared the ground to ensure they didn’t grow back.
Whilst we were there, dog walkers and joggers stopped to say hello and ask what we were up to. Many of us taking part had never even heard of Westfield Marsh, it’s so hidden away.
It was an amazing opportunity to get outside and enjoy our local community as well as improve it. And the weather improved throughout the day which was a huge bonus.
Thanks to Holly and Ethan from York Cares for arranging the say and to Laura Pulleyn (boxxe), Lucy Pagliaro (Benenden Health), Julie Morris (JRF), Anita Bartholomew (Aviva) and Lizzy Nairn (Aviva) for putting so much effort in!
Guest Blog written by Joselyn Rankin, Head of Communications, Portakabin.
To find out more about our Team Challenge programme and how your team can get involved, contact us via info@yorkcares.co.uk
