NEW conservation volunteers are needed in the Blackdown Hills to help make the area of outstanding natural beauty a better place.

Neroche Conservation Volunteers has been caring for the woods, meadows and other special places in the area for more than a decade.

The small band of volunteers, who meet on three Wednesdays a month, includes retired, semi-retired and self-employed people, and people between jobs.

“We’re a diverse bunch and our tasks are always enjoyable”, said volunteer Peter Maben. “It’s light-hearted, we get some exercise and do something positive for our local landscape. It’s a good mix”.

Nick Milton, a volunteer who lives in Wellington, added: “At this time of year, it takes some effort to turn out on a cold morning, but it’s always rewarding, and you feel a lot better for the experience.”

Long-standing members of the group have been reflecting on recent high points. “The step building at Adcombe Woods was a triumph,” said Nick. Adcombe Woods is a beautiful ancient woodland nature reserve near Blagdon Hill, belonging to the Woodland Trust. The trust asked the group to build a set of wooden steps up a slope, to complete a circular trail through the reserve. The job required several days’ work and saw more than 100 steps completed reaching from Curdleigh Lane to the top of the slope.

Nick added: “It felt like hard labour at times but there was a great sense of achievement at the end.”

Another volunteer, Anna Spiess, said: “Our work at Quants has been a labour of love.” Quants is a nationally-important reserve near Angersleigh, which supports critically endangered butterfly species like the Duke of Burgundy.

Anna added: “We’ve returned to Quants year in, year out for over ten years now, cutting blackthorn, willow and birch scrub, and keeping bramble in check.” The result is a patchwork of valuable habitats awash with wildflowers and insects in the summer.

The group is based with Neroche Woodlanders, the social enterprise at Young Wood, near Staple Fitzpaine. Gavin Saunders, director of Neroche Woodlanders, said: “Here at Young Wood, the volunteers have not only helped us look after our lovely woodland but have worked on creating our roundhouse and other build projects. Some have also become closely involved in our well-being projects, helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Taunton enjoy the woods.”

Gavin added: “Over the past five years the Neroche Conservation Volunteers have clocked up more than 6,000 hours of volunteer time in the Blackdowns landscape. So their work has made a real impact, as well as being a positive experience for the people taking part.”

Mr Maben said: “We would encourage anyone wanting to give the Neroche Conservation Volunteers a try to take a look at our calendar of events at www.ncv.org.uk The website also gives details of how to book.”