volunteers at Folly Farm

Features from Wildlife magazine Wildlife articles 2008 -- Spring 2008 -- ::Severn Barrage ::The Variety of life ::A year at Willsbridge ::Willsbridge comes of age ::Reaching out - Willsbridge ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2007 -- Autumn 2007 -- ::Thinking BIG ::Watery webs:the pond network ::Wildlife in the landscape ::Variety of life ::How to be a climate friend ::Seasonal stroll - Walborough ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2007 -- ::The Folly Farm appeal ::Weston Big Wood-biodiversity at its best ::The variety of life ::How to capture a butterfly ::How to get to know an orchid ::Seasonal stroll - WestonBigWood ::Reserves update -- Spring 2007 -- ::Folly Farm - a very special place ::Making a difference at Folly Farm ::How find the magic at Folly Farm ::Seasonal stroll at Folly Farm ::Magic spots at Folly Farm ::Batscapes ::Climate challenge ::Variety of Life - the Ponways project ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2006 -- Autumn 2006 -- ::The Severn Estuary ::Bird Watch results ::How to identify garden birds ::Making space for wildlife ::How does your garden grow? ::Round the reserves -- Summer 2006 -- ::Going for green ::Stand up and be counted ::Happy birthday NSLMP ::Holi day - a riot of spring colour ::Avon's species-rich grassland ::How to photograph dragonflies ::The Big Switch ::Round the reserves -- Spring 2006 -- ::How to identify winter water birds ::Make 2006 the year you... ::Invasive invasion ::Sowing the seeds: Willsbridge Mill ::Round the reserves Wildlife articles 2005 -- Autumn 2005 -- ::Indentify common funghi ::Build a hedgehog hideaway ::Big Bird Watch ::Champions for wildlife ::Round the reserves ::Seeds of the futre: Willsbridge Mill -- Summer 2005 -- ::Restoring Folly Farm ::How to become bee-friendly ::How to identify the butterflies of spring ::Save our seas ::The variety of life: hedgerows ::Round the reserves ::25 Ways to make a difference -- Spring 2005 -- ::The variety of life: water voles ::The Avon Biodiversity Action Plan ::How to take really good wildlife photos ::How to help your garden grow ::Round the reserves ::Seasonal strolls: Browns Folly ::Sowing the seeds: for wildlife for people ::Sowing the seeds: looking back

Making a difference

Meet the Folly Vollies

Of all the people who have been involved with Folly Farm since it was acquired by the Trust the Thursday volunteer group have, in their quiet way, contributed more towards the site than anyone else.

"They're our eyes and ears on the ground," says Tim Curley, the Trust's Volunteer Co-Ordinator. "They're involved in every aspect of the reserve, from fencing and access - replacing stock fencing, stiles, keeping paths open - to completing enormous amounts of the work we are contracted to do as part of our Countrys ide Stewardship agreement." This means that the scrub control carried out by the volunteers on the wildlife rich grassland of the SSSI enables us to claim grant payments - without paying contractors, an example of the double value of the time they give. Last summer along with the ongoing maintenance they complemented the work being carried out on the Access for All Route by building a new path to link this trail with the paths that lead to the new woodlands and Round Hill. This is an area that is frequently used by the Earth Education programmes, and in winter it becomes wet and impassable. The volunteers have built sections of boardwalk in between the wood chipped surface to create an all-weather path here. The Folly Farm Volunteers have immense knowledge of the nature reserve which means they can sympathetically manage the site with minimal input from the Trust - a truly sustainable group.

The volunteers group was established soon after AWT acquired Folly Farm and several are members of the AWT Chew Valley Branch. All have a common interest in conservation and the success of the reserve. The work is varied, interesting and energetic in enjoyable and stimulating company.

New volunteers are always welcome - contact Tim Curley on 0117 9177270 or email timcurley@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Front line at Folly!

Kirsty Forsberg, our Office Administrator, swapped the cosy charms of the front office for the damp grass of Folly Farm for a torchlight rescue mission last autumn.

"I leaped at this chance to help the team who had arranged a last check of the farm buildings to rescue any stray newts, frogs and toads that may have been trapped inside the fencing just before work started on 2 October. After a day of torrential storms we were rewarded with a gorgeous, clear evening and even a few stars. Perfect conditions to find any amphibians out hunting for food. So torches in hand we scoured the site for any signs of life, and found two palmate newts, and a young frog - these were gently placed into a bucket whilst we looked for a suitable new home. The four of us investigated the garden area next and were rewarded with calls from the resident tawny owl and the amazing arrival of redwings coming in for the Winter - even in the middle of a building site this place remains an unspoilt wilderness. After a good look around the house and finding nothing (a good sign that the newt fences were doing their job) Mary set our captives down in Barton field, somewhere they would be secure for the winter. With a last check down the lane, in hope of finding the elusive great crested newt (no luck, unfortunately) I found one more lone frog instead, who was then ushered over the barrier into the woods.

A job well done, and a really fun experience... When can I go back?!!

© Hammer Design

Fun and fundraising

Susie Champion was appointed as the Trust's first Fundraising Manager in July and her first challenge has been to move the Folly Farm fundraising appeal forward ...

"My first encounter with Folly Farm was on a blissful summer's day, back in sizzling July, and everything I had heard about the place lived up to expectation. It has a magical quality that is hard to describe - you simply have to be there to appreciate everything about it!

I was captivated and convinced; and I was very proud to be asked to be part of it. Part of my role, as the Trust's new Fundraising Manager, is to build relationships with potential 'funders' - individuals, business people, corporations, trusts and foundations. One such prospect was a company based in Bath. I did my homework, identified the key person in the organisation and managed to get direct contact with him, after a great deal of persistence. Not surprisingly, he was 'incredibly busy' but was sufficiently intrigued by the sound of the Folly Farm project that he pledged to send over his second in command. He kept his promise and, on another balmy English morning, the Director of Sustainability drove out to have the 'grand tour'. Teamwork is great when it works well and between Ken Johnson, Folly Farm Project Manager, and I, we worked some magic of our own. On this particular occasion this included clambering into the orchard outside the farmhouse to gather up some crunchy green apples which he'd said he was partial to, to offer as a gesture of goodwill to the potential donor. He was delighted with the token. The relationship was established and the scene was set.

We have been assured that the company will now support Folly Farm and the restoration project will be on the top of their agenda for the next financial year. We've made approaches to many different and diverse organisations, but particularly those who have shown an interest in the environment, education, sustainability and corporate social responsibility. We have some successes but we need to have more and would welcome any suggestions about approaching new sponsors. Folly Farm is well placed to be a centre of excellence of regional, if not national, importance at a time when sustainability, biodiversity and renewable energy are no longer topics that only a few people in the know address. It is time for the Trust's vision to become a reality, for partnership with the Trust to be effective, for donors to come forward and be generous in their support - and for everyone to understand the importance of Folly Farm!"

If you'd like to discuss supporting the project contact Susie on 0119 917 7270 or email susiechampion@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk