To mark Volunteers’ Week, Warwick District Council has been paying tribute to the working parties and groups of friends who devote their time to helping with the maintenance and upkeep of the district’s public open spaces.

One such group ‘the Friends of Abbey Fields’ has been undertaking an active programme with regular working parties seeking to further improve the natural environment of the Fields. Tasks completed by the Friends in the past six months include the removal of bramble roots from large areas on the field perimeters and in the churchyard in order to prepare for the sowing of perennial wildflower seeds, the planting of 4000 snowdrops donated by local residents and the removal of non-native invasive weeds.

As well as the maintenance work the Friends of Abbey Fields also organise nature walks to explore the parkland’s birds, bats, trees, moths and meadow flowers and join in with regular litter picks.

Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, Leisure and Environment, Councillor Katie Hunt commented:

“The Council is extremely grateful to the ‘Friends of Abbey Fields’ and other groups of volunteers throughout the district for the huge amount of work they do alongside our Green Spaces team to take care of our parks, woodlands and nature reserves for the benefit of our whole community. Come rain or shine, throughout the year their contribution is helping to protect and enhance our wildlife and natural habitats, so a big thank you everyone involved.”  

The Friends of Abbey Fields warmly welcomes new members - visit their website to find out more.