Back in 2008, I was one of the children who came down from Blackbourne Middle School to plant trees at Sid's Piece. It's a vague memory, but I remember enjoying stomping around in my boots more than the actual tree planting. And I do remember the excitement of getting away from school for a day & exploring somewhere new. it's only a short walk from the school, past the windmill down to Sid's Piece, but at the time it felt like a long adventure.
I still get a sense of exploration when I visit. You never quite know what you will see or hear. Which birds will be singing, are there any new flowers booming, has it been damp enough for any mushrooms to appear, can name of the trees I spot? When you take a bit of curiosity with you, a simple walk can turn into a treasure hunt.
Habitats and eco-systems are more fragile than people realise. Nature-rich areas like Sid's Piece are rare (the UK having lost 97% of its wildflower meadows over the past 100 years). There's something really fulfilling about returning to volunteer. It's somewhere that has clearly had a lot of love and care put into it over the years, and becoming a part of that, giving back to the wildlife which does so much for us, is so important.
If you haven't been to Sid's Piece before, I'd encourage you to come and explore! If you're a regular visitor, see if you can spot anything that you haven't noticed before.
And if you have some spare time, consider joining us for a work group on the last Sunday of every month. No experience necessary, all tools provided. Come and meet new people, learn more about your local environment & help preserve this wonderful area.
I still get a sense of exploration when I visit. You never quite know what you will see or hear. Which birds will be singing, are there any new flowers booming, has it been damp enough for any mushrooms to appear, can name of the trees I spot? When you take a bit of curiosity with you, a simple walk can turn into a treasure hunt.
Habitats and eco-systems are more fragile than people realise. Nature-rich areas like Sid's Piece are rare (the UK having lost 97% of its wildflower meadows over the past 100 years). There's something really fulfilling about returning to volunteer. It's somewhere that has clearly had a lot of love and care put into it over the years, and becoming a part of that, giving back to the wildlife which does so much for us, is so important.
If you haven't been to Sid's Piece before, I'd encourage you to come and explore! If you're a regular visitor, see if you can spot anything that you haven't noticed before.
And if you have some spare time, consider joining us for a work group on the last Sunday of every month. No experience necessary, all tools provided. Come and meet new people, learn more about your local environment & help preserve this wonderful area.