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Directory of volunteering opportunities with environmental organisations in or near the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Compiled by the Chilterns Conservation Board

Information correct at time of going to press, but please check details with individual organisations before setting out for any advertised task

1

Organisation / Site County Page

Archaeology in Marlow Bucks 4

BBOWT () Bucks 5

Booker Common & Woods Protection Society Bucks 6

Box Moor Trust Herts 7

Butterfly Conservation (Herts & Middx) Herts 8

Canal and Rivers Trust Bucks / Oxon 9

Chesham and District Natural History Society Bucks 10

Chesham Environmental Group Bucks 11

Chiltern Rangers Bucks 12

Chiltern Society Across Chilterns 13

Chiltern Open Air Museum Bucks 14

Coleshill Common Management Committee Bucks 15

Forestry Commission Bucks 16

Friends of Common Bucks 17

Friends of Priestfield Arboretum Bucks 18

Friends of Studham Common Beds 19

Groundwork ( and Beds) Beds 20

Groundwork South Trust Bucks / Oxon 21

Herts Countryside Management Service Herts 22

Hilltop Commons Conservation Group Bucks 23

Misbourne River Action Bucks 24

National Trails Oxon / Bucks 25

National Trust (Bedfordshire) Beds 26

Penn & Tylers Green Residents Association Bucks 27

2

Prestwood Nature Bucks 28

Revive the Wye Bucks 29

Risborough Countryside Group Bucks 30

Sarratt Wildlife Volunteers Herts 31

Sonning Common Green Gym Oxon 32

The Conservation Volunteers (Bedfordshire) Beds 33

Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre Oxon / Berks 34

Wallingford Green Gym Oxon 35

3

Archaeology in Marlow

Contact name John Laker

Address c/o 9 Spinfield Lane Marlow Bucks, SL7 2JT Telephone 01628 481 792

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.archaeologyinmarlow.org.uk

Types of Archaeological investigations are conducted on our Little volunteering Marlow site including excavations, recording, surveying, opportunities research etc. available When volunteering Generally on Sunday mornings, every fortnight opportunities are offered Where volunteering Marlow, and surrounding parishes opportunities are offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Yes volunteers Skills required None

Age limits to Over 16 and under 77 years old volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information February 2016 supplied

4

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (Buckinghamshire Office)

Contact name Paul Simmons

College Lake Nature Reserve Upper Icknield Way Address Bulbourne HP23 5QG Telephone 01442 826774

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.bbowt.org.uk

Types of volunteering Practical work on nature reserves, guide and warden roles, opportunities livestock lookers. available Education and events volunteers Visitor centre – meet and greet and café volunteers. When volunteering Practical work parties across Bucks various days. opportunities are Education and events – various days offered Visitor centre roles 7 days a week. See website for details. Where volunteering College Lake Nature Reserve and numerous other reserves opportunities are around Buckinghamshire. offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Yes – we run various training courses throughout the year volunteers which are free to our volunteers as well as on the job training as required. Skills required None – an interest in wildlife is an advantage, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn new skills. Age limits to Work parties are generally either 18+ or 16+, but we do have volunteers? a monthly 14-18 year old work party. Are volunteers Yes insured Date information March 2016 supplied

5

Booker Common & Woods Protection Society

Contact name Brian Tranter (Chair)

16 Graham Drive Address Bucks HP124DX

Telephone 01494 449035

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.bcwps.org.uk

Types of volunteering Replacing bollards; clearing scrub; maintaining paths; opportunities clearing litter. available When volunteering As required published by email to contacts list opportunities are offered Where volunteering Various places on and around Booker Common opportunities are offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to No but experienced members are always present to guide volunteers new volunteers Skills required None. Majority of work involves use of hand tools only. Brush cutters are used on occasion but only by volunteers who have been trained Age limits to None. Children must be supervised volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

6

The Box Moor Trust

Contact name Caroline Evans

The Trust Centre Road Address Herts HP1 2RE

Telephone 01442 253300

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.boxmoortrust.org.uk

Types of volunteering We are just outside the Chilterns but have conservation and opportunities education roles. available When volunteering Conservation- Tuesdays opportunities are Education / Outreach- Mon-Sat offered Where volunteering The Box Moor Trust Estate, Hemel Hempstead opportunities are offered Are travelling Yes expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Basic task training is given at each session and specialist volunteers training is offered when available. Skills required None

Age limits to None volunteers Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

7

Butterfly Conservation & Middlesex Branch

Contact name Malcolm Hull

11 Abbey View Rd St Albans Address Herts AL3 4QL

Telephone 01727 857 893

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk

Types of volunteering Butterfly Conservation own a Nature Reserve called opportunities offered Millhoppers Pasture near Wilstone, Tring. We run a support group which undertakes a range of tasks to support the reserve including scrub clearance and grass cutting. Other support roles come up from time to time When volunteering No regular times. Conservation tasks may take place at any opportunities are time of year and are organised as required. offered Where volunteering Millhoppers Pasture is on Watery Lane, Wilstone, Tring opportunities are OS Grid reference is SP900148. Parking is available at offered Wilstone village hall Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to No formal training is offered, although there will be an volunteers introductory session at the start of each task. Skills required No Age limits to No volunteers Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information April 2016 supplied

8

Canal & Rivers Trust

Contact name Miriam Linforth, Volunteer Coordinator

Station House 500 Elder Gate Address MK9 1BB

Telephone 07775 543990

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteering

Types of volunteering A variety of opportunities including: Lock keeping, lock opportunities painting, vegetation clearance, litter picking, maintenance available of historic properties, towpath upkeep and ‘Towpath Taskforce’ multi-activity initiatives

When volunteering Year-round, any day of the week opportunities are (according to the nature of the tasks) offered Where volunteering The South-East Waterway region covers the following opportunities are areas: offered Grand Union Canal between and Leicester, (including , , Northampton & Welford Arms), plus the Canal in its entirety. Are travelling Within reasonable limits for travel costs. expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Training and assessments are offered to regular volunteers volunteers who are members of an active Waterway Partnership group. Skills required Low-level maintenance tasks require no particular technical expertise. Flexibility, a willing attitude and teamwork skills are always advantageous

Age limits to 18 and above. volunteers Are volunteers Yes (so long as they do not undertake extra tasks which insured? have not been planned or risk assessed).

Date information February 2016 supplied

9

Chesham & District Natural History Society

Contact name Trevor Brawn

81 Glenister Road, Address Chesham, Bucks HP5 2AZ Telephone 01494 774945

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.bucksvoice.net/cdnhs

Types of volunteering Species surveying and habitat management in the Chesham opportunities area, with links with other environmental management available groups to provide a diversity of opportunities When volunteering Most species monitoring and habitat management takes opportunities are place at the weekends, usually the third weekend of the offered month. The active management is usually on a Sunday morning from 10am to 12pm Where volunteering The meeting point is varies on a monthly basis and is opportunities are identified at our meetings and on the website of our partners offered Chesham Environmental Group. Are travelling We cannot offer travelling expenses to volunteers for any of expenses offered to our events. volunteers? Is training offered to We offer informal training on species identification and volunteers? habitat management Skills required We only use hand tools for habitat management and will provide guidance on the safe use of the tools available. Some aspects of our habitat management is physically demanding, but we offer a variety of opportunities at each event to provide something for all abilities. Do you have any age The species identification and habitat management can limits to volunteers? include well behaved youngsters of any age providing they are supervised closely by a responsible adult. Will volunteers be We cannot offer insurance for our species surveying but our insured whilst working partners Chesham Environmental Group do have insurance with you? to cover the volunteers who are actively involved in habitat management. Date information April 2016 supplied

10

Chesham Environmental Group

Contact name Phil Folly

16 Essex Road Chesham Address Bucks HP5 3HZ

Telephone 01494 783691

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.cheshamenvironmentalgroup.org.uk

Types of volunteering Chesham litter picking, clearance, general tidy opportunities up around town. available

When volunteering First Wednesday of the month 10.00 -12.00 opportunities are and third Sunday of the month 10.00 -12.00 offered Where volunteering Around Chesham opportunities are offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Is training offered to No volunteers? Skills required None

Age limits to None volunteers? Are volunteers Public liability and personal accident insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

11

Chiltern Rangers

Contact name John Shaw

Kingsmead Depot 60 Fennels Road Address High Wycombe Bucks HP11 1SL Telephone 01494 474 486

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.chilternrangers.co.uk Twitter: @chilternrangers Facebook: Chiltern Rangers CIC Types of volunteering We have a range of admin and practical opportunities for opportunities groups and individuals as well as work experience available placements, volunteer wardens and more. Watch website for details of events. When volunteering Two main weekly conservation volunteer groups both 10am- opportunities are 1pm. All welcome. offered Green Mondays - Chesham & area. Meet Chesham Town Council Car Park, Catlings Rd. Green Thursdays – meet Wycombe Rye Lido Car Park, High Wycombe. Where volunteering Throughout the Chilterns area especially around High opportunities are Wycombe and South Bucks. offered Are travelling Yes, depending on the role. expenses offered to We provide free transport to and from site in our minibus on volunteers? Green Monday & Green Thursdays. Training offered to Yes, depending on the role and the individual. volunteers? Practical - anything from Field ID short courses to NPTC skills and more. Skills required Enthusiasm for woodlands, the environment and wildlife and a sense of humour! We work with a wide range of community groups and people with a wide range of abilities so communication skills and a positive, inclusive attitude are key. Do you have any age U16 must be accompanied by an appropriate adult. There is limits to volunteers? no upper age limit Are volunteers Yes, we carry £10million PL insurance. insured? Date information February 2016 supplied

12

The Chiltern Society

Contact name Geoff Wiggett

White Hill Centre White Hill Address Chesham HP5 1AG

Telephone 01442 875906

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.chilternsociety.org.uk

Types of volunteering A huge number of roles with our many interest groups opportunities including path monitoring, conservation work, photographic, available planning, historic buildings and landscapes, cycling and walking When volunteering Most days of the week depending on the groups' activities opportunities are offered Where volunteering Throughout the Chilterns opportunities are offered Are travelling Yes expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Yes volunteers? Skills required None

Age limits to None volunteers Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

13

Chiltern Open Air Museum

Contact name George Hunt

Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, , Address Buckinghamshire HP8 4AB

Telephone 01494 871 117

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.coam.org.uk

Types of volunteering Various including: Historic Building Steward, Ticket Office & opportunities Shop, Education, Artefact conservation, Buildings & available Maintenance, Site & Farm When volunteering Year-round, days vary according to tasks opportunities are offered Where volunteering Chiltern Open Air Museum opportunities are offered? Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Full induction and tour of Museum, as well as Health and volunteers Safety and equipment training. Skills required No

Age limits to People under 18 should enquire about the Young Volunteers volunteers Club (usually second Saturday of the month) Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

14

Coleshill Common Management Committee

Contact name Chris Wege

Rosewood Barracks Hill Address Coleshill Amersham Bucks HP7 0LW Telephone 01494 724 152

E-mail [email protected]

Website

Types of volunteering Practical conservation work opportunities available When volunteering Various days of week. Usually 10am opportunities are offered Where volunteering Coleshill Common opportunities are offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to On the job instruction as necessary volunteers Skills required None

Age limits to Under 12s with parents only volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information February 2016 provided

15

Forestry Commission

Contact name Robert Bell

Forestry Commission – South East Upper Icknield Way Address Aston Clinton Bucks HP22 5BE

Telephone 0300 067 4160

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.forestry.gov.uk/england-volunteering

Types of volunteering Practical conservation tasks, Weekend volunteering, opportunities working alongside FC staff information assistants, car available and Chiltern Society park marshalling, general site members duties (e.g. litter picking) When volunteering 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the Summer weekends, school opportunities are month. 10am – 1pm holidays. Time commitment offered flexible Where volunteering Wendover Woods and Wendover Woods opportunities are surrounding FC woodlands offered Are travelling No No expenses paid to volunteers? Training offered to Safe and proper tool use Training provided volunteers provided Skills required Reasonable level of physical Willingness to converse with fitness members of the public Age limits to 16+ 16+ volunteers? Are volunteers Yes, through Chiltern Society Yes, through FC insured? Date information April 2016 provided

16

Friends of Naphill Common

Contact name Peter Davis

195, Main Road Naphill Address High Wycombe Bucks HP14 4SE

Telephone 01494569303

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.naphillcommon.org.uk

Types of volunteering Clearing scrub; maintaining paths; putting up notices and opportunities way-marks; clearing ponds; historical research available When volunteering Mostly weekends. Usually Sunday morning. Irregular – opportunities are published on website available Where volunteering Naphill Common. Specific meeting places vary for each work opportunities are party offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Experienced people always present. We hope to eventually volunteers be able to offer training Skills required Use of hand tools for clearing scrub. Historical research skill would be useful for research projects Age limits to No, but children must be supervised by an adult volunteers Are volunteers Yes, for practical tasks insured? Date information February 2016 supplied

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Friends of Priestfield Arboretum

Contact name Coralie Ramsey, Hon.Curator

Address Stony Lane, , , Buckinghamshire, HP16 0DS

Telephone 07887 730 200

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.priestfieldarboretum.org.uk

Types of volunteering Light maintenance of the grounds of a 5 acre privately available owned arboretum with a small team of other volunteers. Work guided by the Hon. Curator. When volunteering Third Sunday of every month. 10am to 12pm opportunities are offered Where volunteering On site at Priestfield Arboretum, Stony Lane, Little Kingshill, opportunities are HP16 ODS offered? Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Onsite training as required to maintain the Arboretum volunteers Skills required Able to traverse slightly uneven ground on a slope, carry and operate garden type tools. Age limits to None volunteers Are volunteers No insured? Date information February 2016 supplied

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Friends of Studham Common

Contact name Paul Tearle

Baroona Swannells Wood Address Studham Beds. LU6 2QB

Telephone Paul Tearle 01582 872073 Denis Davidson 01582 872650 E-mail [email protected]

Website www.foscomm.org

Types of volunteering Practical conservation work, wildlife surveys, dormouse available monitoring, historical research When volunteering Practical conservation work maintaining Studham common, opportunities are including hedge laying and occasional botanical and wildlife offered surveys. Every 3rd Saturday of the month (some exceptions, check website). Hazel Dormouse monitoring monthly May to October Historical Research, throughout the year Where volunteering Studham Common opportunities are offered Are travelling No, but lunch is provided for the work parties expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Brush-cutter and first aid training offered to regular volunteers attendees. Dormouse monitors could train as licenced handlers. Skills required None

Age limits to None, although work not always suitable for children when volunteers? power tools and cutting gear used. Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

19

Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire

Contact name

Stockwood Park Luton Address Beds LU1 4BH

Telephone 01582 720 147

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.groundwork.org.uk/lutonandbedfordshire

Types of volunteering Various short and long term, including admin / office based; opportunities education; event support; youth; practical available When volunteering No regular opportunities – depends on projects, events etc opportunities are offered Where volunteering Almost all based at office. For off-site work, transport is opportunities are provided from the office to site offered Are travelling Yes expenses paid to volunteers? Training offered to Yes, if required to fulfil the role volunteers Skills required Depends on the specific volunteer opportunity Age limits to No volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information April 2016 provided

20

The Groundwork South Trust Ltd

Contact name Jamie Murray

Colne Valley Park Centre Denham Court Drive Address Denham Uxbridge UB9 5PG Telephone 01895 832 662

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.groundwork.org.uk/south

Types of volunteering Ranges from practical conservation work to office / admin opportunities duties (see website for more information) available When volunteering Week days and weekends opportunities are offered Where volunteering Denham, Iver, West Drayton opportunities are offered Are travelling Yes expenses paid to volunteers? Training offered to On the job training with an allocated mentor volunteers Skills required Specific skills vary according to role and are outlined in task descriptions on website Age limits to Minimum age 16 years volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information April 2016 provided

21

Hertfordshire Countryside Management Service

Contact name Isabel Crozier

Countryside Management Service Office (Car Park H) Environment Dept. Address County Hall Hertford SG13 8DN

Telephone 01992 588433

E-mail [email protected]

Website

Types of volunteering Practical conservation/access improvements, leading health opportunities walks, leading guided walks, monitoring the condition of available promoted routes, admin (based in Hertford). See website for role descriptions When volunteering Various times depending on role, including weekdays and opportunities are weekends offered Where volunteering Across Hertfordshire opportunities are offered Are travelling Agreed travel to and from training days can be claimed if expenses offered to volunteers are using public transport or their own vehicle. volunteers? Training offered to Yes volunteers Skills required Generally no, although depends on role

Age limits to Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult volunteers Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

22

Hilltop Commons Conservation Group ( and Commons Preservation Society)

Contact name Lindsay Griffin

Flint Cottage Hawridge Vale Address Hawridge HP5 2UG

Telephone 01494 758440

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.hawridgeandcholesburycommons.org

Types of volunteering Heathland regeneration; hazel coppice restoration; scrub opportunities clearance; pond maintenance; tractor driving to keep paths available and rides open and bracken control; felling and cross-cutting small trees with chainsaw; bonfires; species surveying; owl box monitoring; photography When volunteering Alternate Sundays from September to April and various opportunities are other times to suit volunteers for some activities offered Where volunteering Hawridge and Cholesbury Commons opportunities are offered Are travelling No, but refreshments are provided including Lindsay’s expenses offered to legendary fruit cake volunteers? Is training offered to Training to use hand tools safely and properly given as volunteers? required. Other training may be available to regular volunteers, e.g. chainsaw, risk assessment, etc. Skills required Reasonable level of physical fitness

Age limits to Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a parent volunteers? Are volunteers Yes for public liability and 3rd party; very limited personal insured? accident Date information March 2016 supplied

23

Misbourne River Action

Contact name Bob Older

2 Woodside Close, , Bucks, SL9 9TA Address

Telephone 01753 885131, 0781 651 4868

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.misbourneriveraction.org

Types of volunteering Office tasks include: website management; preparation of opportunities method statements for potential river lining project Lottery available Application; operating a telephone tree for members without e-mail access. Practical tasks include: flow measuring; invertebrate studies; river corridor maintenance; large scale weeding Support on stand at local shows When volunteering Work groups approx.. every 5 weeks on either a Sunday or opportunities are Saturday (generally morning) offered

Where volunteering On between Amersham and Chalfont St opportunities are Peter offered

Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to As required – e.g. for flow measurements and invertebrate volunteers studies Skills required None

Age limits to Under 16’s must be accompanied by a parent volunteers Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information February 2016 provided

24

National Trails

Contact name Sara Piggott

National Trails Office Countryside Service Address Signal Court Old Station Way Eynsham Oxon OX29 4TL Telephone 01865 810 211

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ridgeway

Types of volunteering Practical conservation work on the Ridgeway and Thames opportunities Path available When volunteering Tuesday – Friday 10.30am to 3.30pm opportunities are offered Where volunteering Ridgeway and Thames Path opportunities are offered Are travelling Yes expenses paid to volunteers? Training offered to Yes volunteers Skills required None

Age limits to Over 18s only volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information February 2016 provided

25

National Trust – Bedfordshire

Contact name Andrew Gibbs or Austin Smith

Chestnut Cottage Chute Farm Address Whipsnade Bedfordshire, LU6 2LN

Telephone 01582 873663

E-mail [email protected] [email protected]

Website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstable-downs-and-whipsnade- estate

Types of volunteering Countryside management: working as part of a team to opportunities manage our land in Bedfordshire available Litter picking: an opportunity for individuals to help keep our countryside clean and tidy Volunteer Ranger: working with our Rangers at weekends on a variety of jobs and assisting at events

When volunteering Countryside Management Volunteer opportunities are Every Monday 9am to 4pm, Tuesday 10am to 3pm, offered Wednesday 10am to 3pm & Thursday 10am to 3pm Second Sunday 10am to 3pm each month Litter Picking Volunteer: times to suit volunteer Volunteer Ranger: Saturday or Sunday 8:30am to 4pm

Where volunteering and Whipsnade Downs, Whipsnade Heath, opportunities are Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, Totternhoe Knolls, Sharpenhoe offered Clappers, Sundon Hills Country Park Are travelling Yes expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Yes, we’ll provide training as required volunteers Skills required None

Age limits to None volunteers Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

26

Penn & Tylers Green Residents Society

Contact name Mike Morley

Address 11, Burrows Close PENN, High Wycombe, Bucks HP10 8AR

Telephone 01494 816638

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.pennandtylersgreen.org.uk

What types of Practical woodland maintenance e.g. clearing woodland volunteering scrub; maintaining condition of woodland and woodland opportunities are paths; erecting notices; researching history of woodland; available? surveying wildlife; monitoring dormice When volunteering First weekend of winter months outside of breeding season. opportunities are Otherwise ad hoc offered Where volunteering Common Wood and Millar Wood, Penn opportunities are offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training to No volunteers? (Please state) Skills required Those with chainsaw or brush-cutter expertise are most welcome Age limits to None, although those under 16 should be accompanied by volunteers? an adult Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

27

Prestwood Nature

Contact name Vanessa Rickett

Fairholme, Perks Lane Address Prestwood HP16 0JQ

Telephone 01494 866516

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.prestwoodnature.org.uk

Types of volunteering Carrying out surveys of hedgerows, trees, orchards, ponds. opportunities Revitalising woodlands. available Counting butterflies, glow worms and other species Maintenance of orchard and wildlife garden, creating and managing wild life meadows and ponds.

When volunteering Usually weekends but also some opportunities during week opportunities are for surveying particularly. offered Where volunteering Within a 3 mile radius of centre of Prestwood opportunities are offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Safe use of equipment and species recognition. volunteers? Skills required Willingness to spend time in the outdoors in all weathers! Age limits to Under 16 need to be supervised by adult. volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information February 2016 supplied

28

Revive the Wye

Contact name c/o Chiltern Rangers

Kingsmead Depot 60 Fennels Road Address High Wycombe Bucks HP11 1SL Telephone 01494 474 486

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.revivethewye.org.uk

Types of volunteering Conservation work: e.g. river clean ups, fisheries work, litter opportunities picking, scrub clearance, marginal planting, constructing in- available stream flow deflectors Admin work: e.g. supporting meetings, website updates, events organising, promotion Monitoring work: e.g. monitoring bankside flora and fauna, riverfly monitoring Walk leaders When volunteering Mostly weekdays, but sometimes weekends. Events are opportunites are organised every 2-3 months offered Where volunteering Along the River Wye within opportunities are offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Not at the moment, but may do if a regular group is volunteers established Skills required Need to be reasonably physically fit

Age limits to None volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 provided

29

Risborough Countryside Group

Contact name Francis Gomme

61 Stratton Road, , Address Bucks, HP27 9AX

Telephone 01844 274 865

E-mail [email protected]

Website

Types of volunteering Conservation work at local nature reserves and wildlife sites. opportunities Field archaeology. available When volunteering All year opportunities are offered Where volunteering Mainly within 5 miles of Princes Risborough but occasionally opportunities are further afield offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Is training offered to Dependant on project and partner organisations volunteers? Skills required None

Age limits to None. However some activities will not be suitable for under volunteers? 12s Will volunteers be Yes insured whilst working with you? Date information March 2016 supplied

30

Sarratt Wildlife Volunteers

Contact name Dawn Pitts

Crossriggs Dimmocks Lane Address Sarratt Herts, WD3 6AR Telephone 01923 267071

E-mail [email protected]

Website No

Types of volunteering On site scrub clearance, creation of glades, general creation opportunities and maintenance of habitats on our commons. available When volunteering 2nd Sunday morning of the month. 10am – 12 noon opportunities are offered Where volunteering On 4 Commons and the Village Green owned by Sarratt opportunities are Parish Council offered Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to On site during the task volunteers Skills required None, except to be fairly physically able

Age limits to None, except children must be accompanied by an adult volunteers? Are volunteers Yes, by the insurance of Sarratt Parish Council insured? Date information February 2016 supplied

31

Sonning Common Green Gym

Contact name Robin Howles, Secretary

5 Priory Copse Peppard Common Address Henley-on-Thames Oxon RG9 5LH

Telephone 01189 723528

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.sonningcommon.tcv.org.uk

Types of volunteering Practical nature conservation on nature reserves, commons, opportunities SSSIs etc. Activities include scrub clearance, pond work, available fencing, hay-raking, footpath work, hedge planting and more, using hand-tools only When volunteering Every Thursday and Saturday 9.30-12.30 opportunities are offered Where volunteering See website for locations of up-coming sessions, including opportunities are where to park offered Are travelling No travel expenses, but we arrange car-sharing. We provide expenses offered to safety gear and all tools. volunteers? Training offered to Guidance on tools-handling and how to go about the tasks volunteers safely offered on site. We can send volunteers on day courses for specialist training eg hedge-laying Skills required No skills required. We accommodate all levels of fitness as Green Gyms aim to promote fitness and health through practical nature conservation. Age limits to People below 16yrs must be accompanied by a responsible volunteers? adult. No upper age limit. Are volunteers We have full pubic liability insurance. insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

32

The Conservation Volunteers Bedfordshire

Contact name Katherine Miskin

The Cemetery Gatehouse, Foster Hill Road, Address Bedford MK41 7TD

Telephone 01234 217553

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.tcv.org.uk

Types of volunteering Practical conservation tasks (sometimes within The Chilterns opportunities AONB) available When volunteering Monday & Thursday 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays). opportunities are Contact us to be put on the regular e-mail task list. offered Where volunteering Mostly Bedfordshire but also Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, opportunities are Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. offered Are travelling Not unless they want to become a volunteer officer and expenses offered to become more involved with the organisation & leading of volunteers? tasks. Training offered to Training in basic health & safety, use of hand tools in a volunteers variety of practical situations and why we do what we do. Skills required None required – all necessary training given

Age limits to 18+ volunteers? Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

33

Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre

Contact name Caroline Coleman

c/o Oxfordshire County Council Signal Court Address Old Station Way Eynsham Oxfordshire OX29 4TL Telephone 01865 815 120

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.tverc.org

Types of volunteering Help with species / habitat surveys in Oxfordshire and opportunities assistance with office-based activities including data available management When volunteering Times are flexible and can be arranged with TVERC opportunities are offered Where volunteering Various sites in Oxfordshire or in our office at Eynsham, opportunities are Oxfordshire offered Are travelling Yes expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Training and support offered for activities where necessary volunteers Skills required Identification skills are useful for survey work. Office-based volunteers need to have good attention to detail and be comfortable with computer-based applications but training in specific packages can be provided Age limits to Adults only volunteers Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

34

Wallingford Green Gym

Contact name Jennifer Brooker

Address

Telephone

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.wallingfordgreengym.org.uk

Types of volunteering Countryside conservation: scrub clearance; fencing opportunities available When volunteering Tuesday mornings opportunities are offered? Where volunteering Across South Oxfordshire. opportunities are In the Chilterns: at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve offered (usually about once a month) Are travelling No expenses offered to volunteers? Training offered to Yes: on-the-job training volunteers Skills required None

Age limits to None, but U16s must be accompanied by a responsible volunteers adult Are volunteers Yes insured? Date information March 2016 supplied

35