It was the biggest year so far for Give & Gain Day and over 15,500 business volunteers gave over 109,000 hours volunteering time, worth well over £1.9 million, helping hundreds of thousands of people across UK communities.

Volunteers from Adamson Jones, INTU and North Midland Construction all took a day out of their busy work schedules to volunteer at Clifton Playing Fields and Green's Windmill Park and Allotments.

At Clifton Playing Fields some of the tasks completed were a continuation of painting of the perimeter railings, edging a path through the adjoining Scout Woods and renovating a native hedge line.

The team at AdamsonJones spent the day at Green’s Windmill Park by landscaping and creating beds for planting in the Heritage Garden and by restoring and painting railings in the park. Green’s Mill hope that the new Heritage Garden will show how the local allotments were used historically as well as demonstrating how the local community can provide for wildlife in their own gardens. 

Despite a very late delivery of stone at 3.30pm, the team still managed to lay down a large section of pathway, everyone pulling together to get the job done before tools were downed and pizzas (made with the organic flour from the mill) were eaten.

Work has also continued regularly at Green's Windmill Park with help from members of Windmill Improvement for Neighbourhood Development (WIND).

The latest works have included clearing and mulching borders including this border which also had an edge defined using timber from trees that were thinned out from another area of the park.

The tunnel has replaced a previous willow tunnel that had succumbed to a mixture of hard frosts and competition from a wildflower meadow that was close by.

The new tunnel was installed with weed suppressant matting and with wood chips to help with its start in life. It has already had it tough with some recent high winds but with it being a living feature, it is reasonably straight forward to patch repair and it is hoped this tunnel will mature and strengthen nicely over the next couple of years.

One of our key volunteers is a Meadows resident called Pat Thomas.

Pat works tirelessly for the local area promoting social inclusion and community involvement and also runs an Art Gallery in the pavilion on Queen's Walk Recreation Ground which showcases local talent.

Pat was instrumental in the design, creation and installation of 12 story poles that appear along the new tram route in the Meadows. 

Two special walks with Pat are now programmed where you can hear about the Meadows story brought to life in the 12 wood carvings.

The walks meet at the Welcome pole at the junction of Meadows Way and Arkwright Street at 10:30am on June 19th and August 7th. Booking is essential though by phoning (0115) 9869816 or by e-mailing patgutt@hotmail.com

Finding new volunteers is a mission amongst us Park Rangers and a couple of taster days during Volunteer's week at Highfields Park has brought some rewards.

The park has benefitted in the past from its regular student volunteers from the University of Nottingham and also from business volunteers from Boots.

Now in light of the park’s forthcoming Heritage Lottery Funded restoration project, there will be more opportunities for interested park users from the local community and also from farther afield.

If you are interested in being added to the volunteer mailing list, please call the Highfields Park Ranger on; 07908 488721 or e-mail steven.clarke@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

The Friends of University Park are another valuable group who volunteer regularly by hosting events of interest that are open to all.

On Sunday 28th June they are hosting the annual free event, 'Picnic in the Park' between 12noon and 3pm. There will be live music from the Newstead Brass Band and activities for all the family.

All the activities take place in the picturesque Millennium Gardens within University Park. Parking is available, just bring a picnic and soak up the atmosphere.