Middleton Park Estate Volunteers

A massive thank you to my volunteers for once again stuffing A LOT of barley straw into sausages to go into Hall Pond and the Lake to help to control algae growth this Summer. This is a really important task and we really appreciate all the hard work they put in to help us maintain the park.

If you are interested in joining us then please do get in touch by emailing Ranger Emma Towers - [email protected]

As always, our wonderful volunteers have been working hard to improve the park for everyone to enjoy. We carried out a litter pick managing to collect 11 bags of rubbish between 4 volunteers, we've removed some invasive laurel within the woodland - an ongoing battle, planted some trees, spruced up Hall pond and we've even helped Leeds Coppice Workers in the hazel woodland.

If you're interested in joining us, new volunteers are always very welcome so please do get in contact 😀

I just wanted to say a big thank you to the fantastic volunteers who have helped with the Middleton Park Estate Volunteers over the past year! I've really enjoyed working with you all and I'm sure you'll carry on doing amazing work in the Park! Emma Towers will be taking over as your Countryside Ranger again from now on😊

Our task day yesterday was creating barley straw sausages to put into the pond. As it rots down it will release a chemical which helps to stop the algae growth and make the pond better for wildlife.

Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who have helped to cut and rake the meadows in Middleton Park this year!

It is really important to cut and rake away the arisings to reduce the nutrients in the meadow so the thicker vegetation like nettles and thistles don’t outcompete the more delicate flowers and grasses we would like in the meadow.

Some pictures from our most recent volunteer task day where we cleared away lots of the invasive pondweed by using rakes to scrape it off the surface and create some more open water.

If you would like to get involved with volunteering in Middleton Park to complete different conservation tasks like this one or would like more information then please email me at [email protected].

Ranger Rachel :)

I would like to say a fond farewell to my excellent volunteers and a massive thank you for all the hard work you put in at Middleton Park. We've accomplished a lot this year already. I look forward to seeing what you get up to with my replacement :)
All the best, Ranger Emma

VOLUNTEERING IS BACK ON!
Our first task back is this Thursday 15th April. We are still asking volunteers to sign up to task days currently so that we can restrict numbers and maintain social distancing. If you'd like to find out more please email me at [email protected]
Best wishes, Ranger Emma

Last week we planted some crocus bulbs in the park for everyone to enjoy next Spring. We will be meeting again next Thursday so please do get in touch if you'd like to join us :)

It's taken a couple of sessions but we have successfully built our new bridge within the woodland. This week we will be meeting to plant some crocus bulbs. If you fancy joining us then please do get in touch. Booking is essential currently.

Over the last couple of tasks the volunteers have kept busy by scything the meadow at Nick's View and beginning to tidy up Hall Pond. This week we have an exciting task planned - we will be building a new bridge over the woodland stream. New volunteers are always welcome so send me an email for more information - [email protected]

What a delightful day we had on Thursday painting in the Rose Garden in the glorious sunshine. Thank you very much to my volunteers. If you fancy coming to help us next week, we'll be meeting at 10am on Thursday up in the Rose Garden. Perhaps we'll see you there :)

Our volunteers put in a valiant effort yesterday to scythe as much of the entrance wildflower meadow as possible. I'm really impressed with how much we accomplished in the time we had. Special thanks go to Ranger Heather for lending a hand too.

Leeds Big Litter Debate

What can be done about the litter epidemic in Leeds parks?

Want to contribute to the debate?
Send you thoughts or questions by email to [email protected] before the 15th September so we can submit it to the panel in time for the event which takes place on the 17th September. Keep it clean please! The debate will be pre-recorded and available to view online on our YouTube channel, which can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTxNkjTHcIv_j1CynSx10Zg.

Check out https://loveleedsparks.org.uk/leeds-big-litter-debate/ to find out more.

The more people who know about this the better – most of us have opinions about littering! – so feel free to send this on to your family, friends, neighbours & work colleagues.

Next Task: Thursday 10th Sept.
Meadow scything - email to book a place

Here's our task plan for the rest of the year. Please be aware that tasks may change but it gives you a good idea of what we intend to get up to.

We had a very successful task day last Thursday dismantling an old bridge which we will be replacing in two weeks time. The bridge was rotten and ready to go. We're looking forward to getting stuck in and building the new one soon. Thanks all, Ranger Emma

After a bit of a change of plans we will now be dismantling a bridge tomorrow ready to build a new one in its place very soon. We will meet at 10am tomorrow (3rd Sept.) outside the café. If you're available, we'd love to have you come along and join us. Maybe see you there...

Hello and welcome!
The Middleton Park Estate Volunteers meet for a Ranger led practical task once every 2 weeks. We work on various conservation tasks to help improve the park for its visitors and its wildlife. We tend to meet outside the Visitor's Centre at 10am and we keep going up until 2pm usually but you can stay for as long or little as you are able. We are very keen to gain new members to help us out around the park so if you'd like to find out more please do contact me. You can ring me on 07891 277108 or email me at [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you
Ranger Emma

Last Thursday was our first task back after lockdown and it was a great success. It was lovely to see everyone again and we managed to get a whole section of wildflower meadow scythed and raked off. We will be back again on Thursday 3rd September to scythe the meadow along the main drive. If you're interested in joining us then please get in touch. My email is [email protected]

Dear Volunteers,
I am happy to announce that volunteering activities are back on. Currently we must restrict numbers at our task days and email you a Covid-19 Risk Assessment in advance of any task. The first task back will be meadow scything this Thursday 20th August. If you would like to find out more please email me at [email protected]
All the best, Ranger Emma

It's now easier to email Middleton Park Estate Volunteers

Please note that these tasks can change but it gives you an idea of what we get up to :)

Come along and join us :D