Cotswold Voluntary Wardens break their own record (From Cotswold Journal)

Cotswold Voluntary Wardens break their own record

10:44am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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THE Cotswold Voluntary Wardens have broken their own record for the number of hours of conservation work they undertake.

They worked 41,719 hours in 2008-9, an increase of more than 1,000 compared to the previous year.

The Wardens form the voluntary arm of the Cotswolds Conservation Board, the organisation that maintains the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

It would have cost the board more than £271,000 if it had had to pay the hundreds of wardens, who give up many hours of their time to maintain footpaths, build bridges, restore stone stiles and do other essential work throughout the AONB.

They also lead guided walks and attend country shows.

During 2008-9, they led 3,929 people on 261 guided walks, attended 47 shows, planted 892 trees, worked on 21 grassland sites, planted 1,090 metres of hedges, repaired or rebuilt 749 metres of wall, cleared 21 kilometres of path and installed 73 stiles, 155 gates, 34 bridges and 167 steps.

They work in partnership with local communities and other organisations, including local authorities, wildlife trusts, Butterfly Conservation, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and The Wychwood Forest Project.

Head Warden, David Colbourne, said: "The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens are an extremely dedicated and enthusiastic group of people who are passionate about the Cotswolds landscape.

“Each year they get involved with a wide variety of activities, with the end result benefiting the many people who live and visit the area.”

“From guided walks to rebuilding walls, the wardens are very much the people on the ground, helping to conserve and enhance the Cotswold countryside and assisting others to understand and enjoy it.”

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