Thinking of volunteering with us?

Here’s what you can expect

Mollie working with volunteers Martin and Wally

Our volunteers may come from all sorts of backgrounds but they share a love of nature and a desire to help maintain our collectively-owned beauty spot. Sue Fenton caught up with some of the land management volunteers at one of their weekly Wednesday work groups.

It was a drizzly, chilly Wednesday in October and the land management work group were working on clearing undergrowth, brambles and brash - discarded woody debris left over after trees are felled, pruned, or thinned. 

Team leader Mollie Harper, a former National Trust ranger whose role is community access and wildlife ranger, explained: “What we’re doing today is create a two-metre fire-break next to properties directly bordering the Heavens, to help minimise the risk to homes from wildfires if we have another hot, dry summer.”

“The dead wood will be moved elsewhere in the woods to maintain habitat for wildlife. Some of the green material will be removed for composting.”

She added: “But we do all kinds of work on the land, including keeping public footpaths clear, gradually removing all the barbed wire from the site, managing brambles and scrub, scything and much more.”

There are working parties every Wednesday and every second Sunday of the month and Mollie is always pleased to welcome new volunteers. 

“People sometimes worry about not being able to commit to coming every week or doing a full day but even one hour once a month is still a meaningful contribution,” she said. “Volunteers can dip in and out and stay as long as they like.

“We’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather so far. We do work rain or shine but can generally adapt to the conditions.The volunteers like the sense of teamwork and achieving something practical. And we always take time to stop for coffee and lunch breaks and that’s a lovely social opportunity.”

Stuart is a volunteer who lives immediately next to the Heavens. “What I like about volunteering is that you get exercise without having to go to the gym!” he said. “I’m a retired tree surgeon and it’s good to stay in contact with tree work. I walk in the Heavens pretty much every day and it’s a place I really love. It’s fantastic to have this beauty spot on my doorstep.” 

Stuart, pictured with fellow volunteer Nomsa, added: “And it’s great to have it in community ownership. Under the previous, private, ownership you never quite knew who to contact if there was a problem, but now I know I can get in touch with the CBS and something will be sorted out. I’m relieved that a firebreak is being created next to my home, as the fire risk from the long, dry summer was quite a worry.”

Volunteer Jim (pictured with team-mate Wally) was clearing overgrowth that was obstructing a public footpath. He said: “I’ve always been interested in nature conservation and recovery and I do a lot of volunteering with other nature-related groups, including Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Stroud Valleys Project. 

Volunteers Wally and Jim

“The Heavens is right on my doorstep and its ancient woodlands and calcareous grasslands make it a really interesting place.

“After a career that was pretty much desk based, I love working in the fresh air and not being stuck indoors. I like the variety of doing different things from week to week. This isn’t a routine job. It’s a rewarding thing to do and it’s a nice group of like-minded people trying to do something useful and practical for the environment.”

Another volunteer, Wally, has lived nearby since 1990 and says the valley has always been a “playground” for his children, who are now grown up and shareholders in the Heavens Valley CBS in their own right. 

“Ever since we moved here, I’ve walked in the Heavens with the kids and the dogs and there’s nothing like it,” he said. “We have been all over the world but we love it here; it feels like the Heavens is ours now that the community owns it.” 

Wally said he has always loved being outdoors. “My first-ever job, while I was still at school, was on a farm, yet I went on to spend all of my career in a desk job and never had a job outdoors. This takes me back to my first love of working in nature. The team is a good group of people and the work is great fun. It’s also a great chance to learn new skills. I’m planning to go on a scything course, and I would like to go on a first aid course and at some point learn how to use a chainsaw.”

Another volunteer, Nomsa, was cutting up the cleared greenery for composting. She moved to Stroud from Bristol only a few months ago and has found volunteering a great way to meet like-minded people. 

“When I moved here I didn’t realise I’d be living so close to the Heavens. I’d heard people talking about it but didn’t know exactly where it was. When I found out it was a short walk from my new home, I was delighted! I saw in a newsletter that I picked up at the Trinity Rooms that the CBS was asking for volunteers, and I quickly offered to help.”

Nomsa has previously done a lot of permaculture and practical sustainability courses and land management work and sees the work groups as a chance to use what she has learned.

“I like being outside and among trees and it’s great to do something that leaves a place in a better state for the future. I like walking here even if the weather is bad so it’s nice to be able to contribute to maintaining the Heavens, not just walking in it.” 

John is another volunteer who moved to Stroud this year. “I’ve always liked being out in nature and as a former environmental health officer, I’ve always been interested in environmental issues and helping to address the problems facing nature,” he said. 

“When I decided to settle in Stroud a few months ago I was looking for a group to get involved with and for a way to meet people. This is a really friendly group and you get a good sense of achievement and camaraderie. I love being in the woods and fields, and there’s always lots to do.

“Since being involved with the Heavens I have realised the importance of it to the community. I have never before experienced the level of community engagement and a shared desire to help that there is in Stroud.” 

We always welcome new volunteers, to help with all kinds of roles, including land management. Please visit https://www.heavensvalley.org.uk/volunteer-info to find out more. 

Volunteers Stuart and Nomsa with Mollie in the background