Spring sun shines for Brodick Country Park volunteer group re-launch

The National Trust for Scotland ranger service at Brodick Country Park has re-launched their local volunteer group this month.
Five keen Arran residents joined Brodick Country Park ranger Corinna Goeckeritz last Thursday to treat the wildlife garden behind the ranger centre to a much needed spring clean. The merry bunch cleared the area around the pond, pruned trees, hedges and shrubs, weeded a path, cleared brambles and installed a bird box with a camera. Work was helped along by some very welcome spring sunshine. The upkeep of the wildlife garden will be one of the regular tasks, along with the control of invasive species such as rhododendron and salmonberry and general hands-on estate work around the country park.
The group will meet once a month. There is no need to book and you don’t have to commit yourself to be there each time, just turn up on the day. It is a chance to get some outdoor exercise and to contribute towards nature conservation at the same time. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people, too, and if that’s not enough to tempt you, the ranger service will provide plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits as well.
The next volunteer day will take place on Thursday 21st April, 10am – 4pm, meeting at 10am at the ranger centre. Please bring plenty of layers and waterproofs, sturdy footwear and a packed lunch and drink. For more information, please phone the ranger service on 01770 302462. For a list of dates for this year’s volunteer days, email Corinna on cgoeckeritz@nts.org.uk.
The National Trust for Scotland is Scotland’s leading conservation charity. The Trust protects Scotland’s most important historic buildings, collections, gardens and wild habitats. In carrying out its work the Trust is dependent upon the support of its members, volunteers and the general public. Charity number SC 007410.

The photo shows Lucy Wallace (Wild Walks on Arran), Angela Freear (Lochranza Youth Hostel), Colin Guthrie and Malcolm Whitmore after the spring clean session in the rangers’ wildlife garden. Missing in the photograph is  Hilary Patrick of Machrie.

Brodick Castle has a vonunteer group ( Castle Friends) please see www.voiceforarran.com/CastleFriends/ to find out what they do and how you can join.