Our First NFU Mutual Volunteering Day of the Year

We were pleased to host the first NFU Mutual volunteering day of the year through our ongoing partnership with the company. The team of seventeen volunteers focused on creating the beginnings of a new garden space for growing medicinal plants and carrying out tree planting, alongside a range of nature‑reserve preservation and conservation tasks that help us care for the wider site.

Ruby Red Medicinal Garden

Volunteers constructed both six‑foot and two‑foot raised beds, prepared them carefully, and positioned them according to the garden design template for the Ruby Red Garden area. These beds are now ready to be filled with layers of garden waste, branches, rough mulch, soil, and peat‑free compost, and planted with a diverse range of medicinal species that will support our horticulture and wellbeing sessions.

To help shape the space and give it a more enclosed and welcoming feel, the group planted Beech trees around the new growing area. These will develop into a natural boundary that adds structure and a sense of calm to the garden area. Volunteers then planted a curved line of Beech trees to guide the pathway as it leads towards the pond area.

Hawthorn Hedgerow

Hawthorn tree saplings were planted to form a new double row of hedge, echoing the line already established to create a living screen that strengthens our developing wildlife corridor. To reinforce the site’s natural edges, new trees were also introduced to infill the open spaces along the outer perimeter of the site. Over time, these will knit together into a rich, layered hedgerow.

Repurposing Materials to Reduce Waste

Some volunteers focused on transforming an old storage container by sanding and repainting it, while others dismantled timber from a former theatre stage that was originally destined for the skip to build new garden beds. Logs from recent tree‑surgery work were then moved to create natural seating around the site.

Composting

All garden waste from the day was manually shredded and composted in our on‑site composter, ensuring that nothing went to waste and that the nutrients will return to the soil for future projects.

Thank you

We want to thank the volunteers for their enthusiasm and hard work, which has made a positive and lasting impact on a space that will be enjoyed by many. Their efforts will support our community groups as they grow medicinal plants and take part in horticulture and wellbeing coaching sessions. We also extend our thanks to NFU Mutual for their continued support, and we look forward to welcoming the next volunteering teams in the coming months.