Presentation given by Paul Van Damme, Chelmsford Borough Council and Jane Allnutt, Friends of Marconi Ponds, GSNF, Aug 2011

1. VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN CHELMSFORDs PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

4. Involving Children in our Parks

5. Recycled Garden: working with home educated children

6. Elements Garden New community

7. Choices Garden Working with a number of local groups

8. Families Open Days

9. Working with Local Groups Greening Galleywood Group BTCV

10. Garden and Hylands Estate Volunteers

12. What difference does this make… Outreach Education & Promotion working with young people Working with adults/families i.e. Chelmer Valley, Marconi Ponds Garden Volunteers 26 volunteers working 3hrs per week for an average of 32 weeks – 2469hrs (equivalent £19,798) 1725 participants working an average 6941hrs per annum (equivalent £ 55,056) 2970 participants working an average 4440hrs per annum (equivalent £35,218) Total of 13877 hours = £110,072 (using the national recognised standard hourly rate volunteering multiplier) The total estimated cost of support is £30,000, a ratio of 1-3

13. Volunteers & Supporters Jane Allnutt Communications Officer Marconi Ponds Nature Reserve

14. V.I.S. (Very Important Supporters)!

15. Marconi Ponds Nature Reserve

16. An aerial view

17. … for the benefit of the wildlife

18. … for the benefit of the local community

20. … we can plant flowers as long as they are native species

21. … .we’re only volunteers!

22. … we can plan a project and complete it in a short space of time

23. … ..our notice board, funded by a donation from M&G

24. Early days

25. Practical Session poster

26. Refreshments!

27. Clearing of nettles

28. Clearing the reeds in the ponds

29. Clearing the area around the ponds There are no pictures – you couldn’t reach this area before the bushes, brambles and nettles were cut back!

30. Starting to build the pond dipping platform

31. Laying the surface

32. The finished pond dipping platform

33. The new walkway begun July 2010, completed April 2011

34. Health & Safety Guidelines

35. Kids!

36. An example of good Health and Safety

37. Not so good Health and Safety

38. The kids being supervised and learning new skills

39. Adults need help too!

40. The banner

41. Our star attraction - Munty

42. … .someone came and hung bird feeders in the trees

43. … .new paths were used by the bikers

44. Levering the log bench onto blocks (in the pouring rain!)

45. … the Beaver’s summer visit

46. … memorial and commemorative trees

47. Why do people volunteer?

48. A chance to do some physical work

49. Learning new skills

50. Families sharing time together

51. Getting the family involved

52. You’re never too young to start!

53. Getting physical, keeping fit!

54. Working with new people

55. Trying something you’ve never done before!

56. Learning more about ‘nature’ by monitoring the wildlife

57. Meeting and talking with new people

58. Doing tasks that are not too strenuous - and a chance to chat

59. The website www.marconiponds.btik.com

61. Unveiling the Information Boards

62. Bug box with initials, and a bird box

63. The willow tunnel and bug hotel

64. Building the stage beetle pyramid and the space for our Sensory Garden

66. … do we look as if we know what we are doing?

67. … having fun!

68. THANK YOU Don’t forget, you are all welcome to come and visit the site, or lend a hand. We meet on the 3 rd Saturday of each month (except August and December) 1.30 – 3.30pm Hope to see you there! Or sign up to our mailing list and receive regular updates visit our website www.marconiponds.btik.com