Volunteers who care for Shurnhold Fields in Melksham have launched a fundraiser to pay for tools and ongoing maintenance.
The Friends of Shurnhold Fields aim to raise £2,000 to help them continue projects and planting at the open space on Dunch Lane.
The group’s work includes mowing paths, planting native trees and hedgerows and carrying out essential pruning and maintenance.
Volunteer Andrew Newman said, “Since we first started, we have grown over 200 trees from saplings donated to us by the Woodland Trust and created a World War I memorial area with each tree representing a lost son of Melksham and the local villages. Further trees have been planted around the fields to enhance the look as well as help with the biodiversity. A small orchard of endangered fruit trees has also been planted along with several memorial trees.
“We have been fortunate to have received support from other organisations, including Knorr-Bremse. Seating, rubbish bins and a picnic area have also been provided in conjunction with the local councils as well as a large stone donated by local company Sahara Melksham.
“We were also recently awarded more than 100 hedging saplings, from the Woodland Trust, which we hope to plant around the car park this autumn.”
However, the group says securing funding remains a challenge.
An annual Easter egg hunt has raised nearly £600 in recent years, helping to fund tools, bulbs and plants.
Volunteer Donna Hambly said, “We purchased a dozen heritage apple and pear trees with the money raised last year from the egg hunt.
“We also managed to get a grant from Wessex Water Foundation environmental fund last year for £1,000 to purchase some hand tools. At the moment most of the team use their own. So, we used that to purchase a small strimmer for clearing around trees, also some spades, hand trowels and pruning kit for the new trees.”
Andrew said, “However small your donation is, we will be extremely grateful along with accepting new volunteers.”
To contact the Friends of Shurnhold Fields, visit their Facebook page. To support the fundraiser, visit: shorturl.at/wZMBJ
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