Since we started on Rye Meadows in 2011 the numbers of volunteers has risen from the initial two to a present team of some 26 people. Not everyone comes along each time, as, to be frank, we probably wouldn't have enough work for everyone.

Originally the work consisted on tree planting and together with many residents, the scouts and Mr & Mrs Burnett's family, we planted several hundred tree "whips". These are small saplings only some two feet tall. Each one had to be staked and then protected by tubes to stop the deer from having a juicy 'take away'. Despite the changing ground conditions - planted in heavy very wet clay in the winter and then baking in concrete like clay in the summer, a large number survived. They were planted in several "pods" throughout Rye Meadows and some adjoining fields. The reason for this was to avoid the overhead and underground services that criss-cross the area. We have power cables overhead, and a major gas main and large sewers running through the meadows.

As more volunteers joined the group, at the suggestion of Chris Abbott, we set down a  regular routine of volunteering on the first and third Tuesday of each month, with occasional extra sessions added as needed. We added more maintenance jobs to our growing CV, erecting fences and installing gates, repairing sleeper bridges or building new ones. We enlisted the help of outside companies who wanted their staff to carry out "community days". Wates and Combe International were two who came for the day and achieved a great deal. "Combe Bridge" is one used regularly and was constructed in a day by staff from this local company.

We have built dead hedges and planted new hedges. We have repaired bridges and reinstated bridges after flood water washed them away. We have added benches to the Centenary field and we have tried to improve the health of the Rye Brook by clearing scrub and debris from the stream. We have reprofiled banks to store more water and help alleviate flooding downstream.

The volunteers have also relaid two footpaths - Footpath 24 and Footpath 596. Initally the hard core material was transported from the main dump site by wheelbarrow and then raked in position by hand. When the need came, after heavy COVID time use, to resurface the paths again we used equipment donated by Sunbelt Rentals. We obtained a grant from MVDC to buy hard core material and we relaid and resurfaced both footpaths using a digger and dumper truck, operated by the volunteers. Many people today use these footpaths and are unaware that they are enjoying thr fruits of the labour of Rye Meadows volunteers.

Now the meadows are owned by Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT) we are taking on new skills. We have started hedge laying, and visitors can see how hedges have been transformed from overgrown 'leggy' specimens to thriving laid hedges greatly benefitting local wildlife. We will shortly be learning the new (but also the old countryside) skill of scything. Two of the meadows are now unreachable by large tractor as it would be too heavy for the sleeper bridges. The only solution for grass control will be to scythe the grass. SWT will be instructing volunteers on this skill and we will cut the grass in these two fields by hand, raking up the arisings also by hand. It will be hard but satisfying work.

It is not all hard work though. There is great camaraderie amongst the volunteers. We have had several ladies volunteer with us, but we are now down to one lady (Sarah) who works as hard as an man on the team. We have a break each volunteering session at 11am for a tea/coffe break with biscuits and occasionally a cake baked by a family member of one of the volunteers. Also annually we have a "Curryfest" evening where we all descend on the Mogol Dynasty almost taking over the whole restaurant. It can be a noisy evening and on one occasion we apologised to other diners for interrupting their meals. We were told it was good see a group of old people enjoying themselves.

We do need volunteers and if you are interested in finding out more do make an enquiry. We are all getting older and new 'younger' blood will be welcome - even if you are 60 you will still bring the average age down!! No special skills are necessary, just bring good stout boots or wellies if wet, and normal gardening clothes - plus waterproofs if necessary. Come along for a trial session and see if you enjoy working with us. There's no register taken and people turn up as and when they want to.