Helping Hands At Nature Reserve

Press release published on 27 January 2006 by Scarborough Building Society

Staff from Scarborough Building Society donned their wellies and did their bit for the environment on Thursday, January 26th.

They took part in a volunteering day at Burton Riggs nature reserve, in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The 12 volunteers, who included everyone from branch staff to legal eagles, swapped their day jobs for a few hours, and learnt new skills like scrub removal and step replacement, led by a representative from YWT. They also helped out with general maintenance such as litter picking and tidying up at the reserve, which is next door to the Society’s Prospect House headquarters. Lunch for the day was kindly provided by Sodexho, who cater at Prospect House.

The Scarborough has teamed up with YWT to support its vital work of protecting endangered plant and animal species and enriching the lives of local communities across Yorkshire. Burton Riggs in particular is a popular stopping off point for migrating birds on their path to sunnier climates and is also the home to various species of rare wild orchids.

The partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is just one of a number of major community relationships the Society is engaging in as part of its community commitment and in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility stance. It is also in the process of finalising sponsorship plans with the Rotunda, The William Smith Museum of Geology in Scarborough, and George Pindar Community Sports College.

John Carrier, Chief Executive at the Society said: “Burton Riggs is great natural resource on our doorstep and it is important for us to help protect it for future generations to enjoy. This event is just one example of a range of activities we are taking part in as part of our commitment to our communities, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to help enhance the local area in this way.”

In addition to the volunteer day, which will hopefully be the first of a series, the Scarborough has committed to donating £12,000 to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust over the next three years, for the purchase of much needed plants and equipment.

YWT Nature Reserves Officer, Caroline Thorogood, said: “We are delighted to have the Society on board in this venture. The volunteers will help us carry out vital maintenance work across the site and their donation will help us to keep Burton Riggs as beautiful and popular as ever.”

For more information regarding Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Scarborough’s involvement, click www.yorkshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk.

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