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Queens Award for Voluntary Service

Volunteer session 8th August 2020

Here is Jonathan’s message

Hello All,

The Fairfield Association continues to run volunteer sessions under the ‘dispersed group protocol’ laid out in the attached document.

The next Saturday morning session will take place on August 8th at the usual start time of 10am. If you are thinking of attending the session please make sure you have read the protocol and are happy to follow these new rules.

Note that the meeting point for the session is NOT the shed but the Orchard Stump Circle so that the two metre social distance rule can be more easily maintained.

The biggest difference to past practice is that numbers will be limited to a maximum of 12 in separate teams of up to 6 people. Consequently, so that we can control numbers, people must ‘book in’ with the Volunteer Organiser (Ian) if they plan to attend. To do this please email or text Ian at:

 or 07811 970 595

If your plans change then please keep Ian informed so that we can be fair to everyone.

Ian will continue to organise the preparations for Saturday’s session but is going away on holiday and the session will be coordinated by Graham.

The August Saturday will tackle the following tasks. Although they are all located in the Pony Wood area, Graham will split the group into two or three teams, each with a maximum of 6 people.

* Trimming around the hedge saplings between the Pony Wood path and Flora Field. This requires shears and gloves thick enough to protect from nettles.

* Scything the nettles and long grass around the saplings within Pony Wood. NOTE only trained scythers can do this job. If you have your own scythe please bring it.

* Transplanting ransomes and ferns into Pony Wood.

* Digging out some of the nettles in Pony Wood.

The last two jobs require gloves, spades and shears. If you can bring your own please do.

Note that although it is preferable to keep to one’s own tools we will have gloves and tools available.

Another, most regrettable, change from the past is that we cannot supply refreshments. There will be a socially distant break but please bring your own drink and / or snack.

Please read the protocol and make your decision as to whether you want to venture back into volunteering under these arrangements. If you do, contact Ian. We don’t know how many people will want to come along so we will have to wait and see and sort things out. If you do ‘apply’ we will let you know before Saturday.

Best wishes,

Jonathan.