We do voluntary conservation work on Greenham and Crookham Commons near Newbury, West Berkshire. Much of the site is the former Greenham Common Airbase, famous for cruise missiles and peace protesters, but a parish boundary runs right across the area so it is actually two adjacent commons, hence our name.
Some of our regular volunteers live around the commons, some are from the surrounding district (North Hampshire as well as West Berks). Others are from much further away – our distance record-holder was on holiday from South Africa and fancied a bit of pond clearance to liven up her trip to England.
The commons are owned by West Berkshire Council (WBC), who have a Countryside Ranger on the site. All our tasks are planned in consultation with the Ranger, to fit into the management plan. WBC provide tools and materials, and have also provided training – some of our regular volunteers have been trained in chainsaw and brushcutter use, tree-felling and pesticides application. (Thanks also to the Greenham Common Trust for funding brushcutter training and equipment purchases.)
You can browse using the navigation links on the left, but obviously the most important thing is to find out how to join us on a task, because new volunteers are always welcome !
We are affiliated to the BTCV (British Trust For Conservation Volunteers), and registered with Volunteer Centre West Berkshire. If you can't join us, both organisations have plenty more volunteering opportunities.
Interesting (and true) fact:
There used to be a pub on the Common. Its name was The Volunteer.