Last Saturday’s Essex Wildlife Trust AGM held an exciting event for Tiptree Heath volunteers. The efforts of the hard working Tuesday work party group during the last 18 months were recognised with a Living Landscapes Award, and the presentation was to be made at the end of the business part of the AGM, attended by about 3,000 people.

Diana Childs and Jane Casement arranged to attend the AGM to receive the award and were supported by Sue More, chairman of FoTH. The presentation was made by none other than Iolo Williams, of Springwatch fame, who showed a passionate interest in the conservation carried out by all volunteers in the efforts to help wildlife in this country.

There are more photos to come, but the one below was taken by Daniel Bridge, until recently employed by EWT and now a freelance photographer and course leader.
The citation for the award gained by our volunteers was for their work in a wide range of fields, including

Conservation towards the restoration of Tiptree Heath including brushcutting scrub, maintaining open paths and felling trees using hand tools.

Ditch clearance to enable groundwater to flow away from flooded areas on the site, including creation of a deep trench to ease flooding on a well used path.

Carrying out car park repairs for the busy common.

Helping with preparation and running of successful Heath Fairs

Installation of barn owl boxes and placement of reptile survey mats

Assistance with dormouse checks

Clearance and planting round a school pond.

Surveying of hedgerows and butterfly transects

Assistance with water vole translocation at Fingringhoe

Well done to the Tuesday Group, and many thanks for all their involvement and hard work!

Joan