Park volunteer groups

Whether you have half an hour to spare or more, there are lots of ways you can volunteer in Bedford's parks and open spaces. You can find many of these on the Green Wellbeing Directory.

No experience necessary and all training will be provided.

Priory Country Park Volunteers

Contact: pcp@bedford.gov.uk or call Jon on 01234 718012 (answer phone).

Join the Park Warden and lead gardener to undertake practical conservation, habitat and maintenance tasks around the park. The volunteers usually meet every Monday and Thursday. Sunday volunteers meet once a month from October until March - winter months only.

All sessions start at 9.30am from the visitors' centre and finish at 3pm (unless otherwise informed).

Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park

Contact: Park Guardian 01234 720016

The Friends of Harrold-Odell Country Park (HOCP) work with the managers of the park and Bedford Borough Council to help maintain and improve the site for both visitors and wildlife.

The Friends of HOCP fall into two broad groups: active volunteers and interested supporters. The active volunteers work with staff on a wide range of practical activities, some routine work and some taking the form of special projects. Routine work carried out by the volunteers includes ground clearance, hedge maintenance, woodland coppicing, path clearance, equipment maintenance.

Bedford Park Volunteers

Contact: cebula.home@ntlworld.com

The Bedford Park volunteer gardening group meets at the park bandstand on the first Sunday of every month from 10am for two hours. Working under the direction of experienced volunteers, the group undertakes a range of necessary functions, including overseeing the growth and development of the park with a focus on taking care of the beautiful promenade bedding. Membership is free and new volunteers are very welcome.

Friends of Putnoe Wood and Mowsbury Hillfort

Contact: contact@putnoemowsburyfriends.org.uk

www.putnoemowsburyfriends.org.uk

The Friends of Putnoe Wood and Mowsbury Hillfort help to safeguard the future of the two sites. The group works with Bedford Borough Council to manage, promote and enhance the areas with regular task sessions.

The Friends meet every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 4pm for their weekly tasks. Membership is free.

Abbey Fields Gardening Group

Contact Helen: hkonstan@ntlworld.com

A local resident formed this group in 2018 to completely overhaul the roundabouts along Abbey Fields road, Elstow by replanting them with beautiful shrubs, flowers and trees.

As momentum has built, more of the Abbey Fields community have joined forces to carry out a variety of greenspace projects including planting an orchard, bulb planting, roundabout maintenance, brook clearances and the clearing arising’s to the Moors.

If you are a local resident and/or looking for a friendly, pro-active and passionate gardening group to join, then get in touch with the group via the email address above.

Membership is free and tasks and events are arranged on a regular but ad-hoc basis.

Bromham Conservation Group

Contact: bcg@peterargyle.plus.com

If you are interested in improving the natural habitats in Bromham’s many nature areas then this group is for you.

Bromham Conservation Group undertake voluntary tasks for Bromham Parish Council and Bedford Borough Council under the instruction and guidance of their officers on their various sites in Bromham. Tasks include coppicing trees, cutting back pathways, wildflower meadows, building nesting areas, building hedges, gates, fences and bridges to clearing brooks and looking after the Community Orchard.

There is usually three sessions a month from 10am - 12.30pm and any time that can be given is greatly appreciated.

Friends of Hill Rise Nature Reserve

Contact: info@hillrisenaturereserve.org.uk

Hill Rise Local Nature Reserve is a 0.9 hectare (2.2 acres) site owned by Bedford Borough Council and jointly managed with local volunteers. Despite its small size, the reserve is able to support a great variety of wildlife and there is always something to see at any time of the year.

The Friends of Hill Rise are always keen to welcome new volunteers to support the maintenance of this beautiful Community Green Flag site. If you are interested in joining in with monthly tasks, contact Shalaine and Peter via the email address above.

Friends of Bedford Cemetery - Foster Hill Road

Contact: Margaret Carpenter 01234 360003

This small group meets alternate Thursdays between 10am and midday to do various tasks around the cemetery including sweeping, tidying up, ivy removal etc. The group is also undertaking research into the graves and establishing the wildlife and plant life that live on the site.

Green Man Garden Volunteers - Addison Howard Park

Contact: volunteering@bedford.gov.uk

This group is embarking on a complete overhaul of the site to create a community wellness space, hosting classes from yoga to painting and providing a garden open to all. The area is located at the back of Addison Park (near to The Grange/Pidgeon Club).

Volunteers will take part in tasks on a regular basis, from planting and clearing, to woodwork.