Community spirit shines as volunteers transform Lancaster community farm

Kathy Barton

Volunteers in Lancaster rolled up their sleeves to support a community farm as part of the first ever Lancashire Volunteering Day.

Across the county, volunteers including veterans, community groups, business employees, councillors and members of partner organisations and charities came together last week to plant trees, restore playgrounds, improve wildlife habitats and community spaces and make local areas cleaner, greener and more welcoming.

At Claver Hill Community Farm in Lancaster, volunteers improved wildlife habitats and nature trails, maintained hedgerows and fruit trees, replanted paths and carried out practical jobs including mulching, path creation and vegetation clearance.

Kathy Barton, a long-standing volunteer at Claver Hill, said: "Our community project has nature trails and food growing. The benefits of volunteering include meeting lots of friends and growing your own food which is free of chemicals.

"I just love being out in nature and if you have any stresses you come here and you will just not even think about them for the whole day. I highly recommend volunteering."

Councillor Ella Worthington, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for Civic Pride, said: “Volunteers do amazing work across Lancashire, and we wanted the first Lancashire Volunteering Day to celebrate their contribution throughout the year.

“The day forms part of our Our Lancashire civic pride initiative, which is all about bringing people together and encouraging everyone to do their bit for their community. It was wonderful to see people of all ages and from all walks of life getting involved.”

James Tomlinson, Lancashire County Council's Champion for Rural Affairs, the Agricultural Community and Parishes, added: "It was brilliant supporting Lancashire Volunteer Day and seeing this brilliant initiative and how it benefits the community.

‘’Through my role as a Champion, I've witnessed first-hand the benefits community groups bring to areas. They bring people together, tackle issues such as mental health and well-being, and make communities more cohesive."

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