Goblin Combe Volunteer
Groundworks South
Help with tasks to maintain and improve Goblin Combe Lodge site and woodland
Help with tasks to maintain and improve Goblin Combe Lodge site and woodland. Please note all activities are due to take place outside. • Please bring layers and a waterproof in case of cold and rainy weather • Wear old clothes that you won’t mind getting muddy or a little dirty; there are ticks in the area so long trousers may be advisable – if shorts are worn please check for ticks at the end of the day • Solid/sturdy but comfortable shoes or boots – no open toes or heels • Gloves and any personal protective equipment will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own if preferred • Please bring sun cream and a sun hat if it is forecast to be a hot day Goblin Combe is situated in the heart of north Somerset, covering 130 acres of woodland. It is an SNCI and SSSI, and a site of historic interest from the Iron Age. Groundwork South has owned Goblin Combe lodge and a large part of the woodland since 2014. Our site, on the edge of the woodland, features a 38-bed lodge, listed cottage, yurt, outdoor classroom and camping field. We used to use the woodland as an outdoor classroom for people of all ages (toddlers through to people in their 80’s), working with schools, community groups, rehabilitation centres and more, with several of these groups also using the residential lodge. However use of the site began to decline and Groundwork South took the decision to close it temporarily whilst the future of the site was reviewed. Throughout this period, the woodland continued to be hugely popular with local residents and visitors from north Somerset and beyond, and thanks to interest and support from a range of local stakeholders as well as the Groundwork South Board of Trustees the site was re-opened to hirers in 2022, with a view to re-launching a programme of outdoor and environmental education activities in due course. In order to help us get there, we’ve benefited from the support of a group of local volunteers, who have started up a ‘Monday club’, carrying out a wide range of activities to improve the site for hirers and future site users. Having the support of volunteers from VANS will help to get the site ready for hirers and other future users and make improvements to the woodland space as well. Thank you for volunteering and making it possible! Who are Groundwork and what do we do? Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. We’re passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny and no-one is held back by their background or circumstances. We create better places By making communities greener, safer and healthier and by enabling people to work together to bring about change in their local area We improve people’s prospects By increasing the confidence, skills, wellbeing and employability of those struggling in education or out of work. We promote greener choices To help people and businesses reduce their environmental impact, improve their health, cut waste and save money.
Community Work,Gardening,Practical Work & DIY,Environmental,General & Helping
Building & Maintenance, Cleaning & Tidying, Conservation, Gardening
Tasks will be varied and may include: DIY and maintenance on lodge, cottage and outdoor facilities, woodland brush clearance, path repairs, habitat creation, species monitoring.
Time spent outdoors in a peaceful woodland or clearing, surrounded by nature. Developing woodland management and basic DIY skills Meeting like minded people
Currently running monthly Monday drop-in sessions from 10-am-2pm. Give what time and skills you can. If you enjoy it, come again!
BS40 5PP
Goblin Combe Lodge, Cleeve Hill Road, Cleeve, Bristol, North Somerset, BS40 5PP What3Words: burns.leathers.coached
The entrance is marked by a waymarker sign reading 'Goblin Combe Lodge' on Cleeve Hill Road. You will need to go through the gate off the road, which takes you through the right hand side of a small caravan site (not owned by Groundwork), and then there is a second gate through to our site at the end of the drive. Please ensure both gates are closed behind you when entering and leaving the site. For those who are travelling by car, there is plenty of parking available at the bottom of the drive by the lodge and field – though we would recommend car sharing if possible. If you prefer to travel by public transport, buses from Bristol City Centre and from Weston stop on the A370 main road in Cleeve, and you can then walk approx. 1 mile up the hill or through the woodland to reach our site. Please note there is no pedestrian pavement on the road.
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