22
December,
2023
A team from Poole-based company SALINE have become the first volunteers to work alongside grant giving charity Talbot Village Trust
For the first time in its 170-year history, Talbot Village Trust is celebrating the work of its first ever group of volunteers, provided by Poole-based business development company SALINE.
A team of ten members of staff from SALINE joined the Talbot Village Trust team to clear invasive species from undergrowth at the charity’s woodland estate areas near to Slades Farm in Wallisdown.
Enjoyed by residents, dog walkers and students, the woodlands are open to all and sit between Slades Farm Park and Bournemouth University at Fern Barrow.
Talbot Village Trust, a grant giving land-based charity, maintains the conservation village, which consists of 27 properties that border the woodland in Wallisdown. Properties are provided to people in need at a reduced rent, as originally intended by the charity’s founders, Georgina and Mary-Ann Talbot.
Martha Searle, Community and Engagement Lead at Talbot Village Trust said: “We’ve been overjoyed to have had the team at SALINE helping us to remove invasive species and maintain our much-loved woodland areas.
“As found in many areas across the UK, species such as Cherry Laurel can often dominate woodland sites, impacting the important growth of other important species that are crucial to a sustainable and healthy ecosystem.
“This session launched our volunteering scheme, with opens to the public in January 2024, and we’re very keen to hear from others who’d like to get involved in community activities, promote wellbeing and help us maintain our woodland areas.”
Speaking on behalf of the team at SALINE, Nikki Smith, Operations Director, said: “It’s been great to step out of the office for some valuable team building, helping to contribute to our local community and have a positive impact while enjoying a fantastic time connecting with and preserving nature.
“We were delighted to be the very first group of volunteers in the Trust’s remarkable 170-year history. A huge thank you to Talbot Village Trust for this incredible opportunity! We’re grateful for the chance to make a difference and eagerly anticipate more volunteer adventures in the future.”
The team also helped to remove litter and gather holly leaves in preparation for the Trust’s community Winter Solstice event at nearby Slades Farm Pavilion.
To get involved in Talbot Village Trust’s volunteering opportunities, contact Martha via email at martha@talbotvillagetrust.org.
