MONDAY VOLUNTEER CONSERVATION DAYS
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MONDAY 19TH MAY 2025 AT HARMONY WOODS
What a brilliant day at Harmony Woods. Volunteers made a real difference at our local nature reserve by completing a variety of important tasks.
Sam, Stephen, and Paul repaired the Enham access gate and built a new Hampshire gate, improving access to the chalk pond ahead of half-term activities. Henry cleaned up the dipping pond area, with Harrow Way students helping to top up water levels. Simone, Liang, and Jacey carried out a perimeter walk for Nature’s Calendar monitoring and cleaned signs. The team also trimmed brambles and strimmed around entrances. Doreen checked the sedum roof plants and kept everyone fuelled with tea. Meanwhile, led by Izzi, Sylvie, and Liz, students helped water wildflowers and helped with pond hedge maintenance — ensuring our green spaces stay vibrant and welcoming for wildlife. Amazing work, everyone! |
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CO-OP WORKPLACE VOLUNTEERING
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On Wednesday 12th May we were excited to welcome a group of Co-op volunteers to Vigo Road Allotment for a workplace volunteering day. The team spent the day pricking out wildflower seedlings — and managed an incredible 1,800 seedlings! Thank you to the volunteers who joined us, making a difference to conservation and community planting efforts.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/diggingit2
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MAY'S COMMUNITY CONSERVATION DAY
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SATURDAY 10TH MAY 2025 AT VIGO ROAD ALLOTMENTS
Saturday’s Community Conservation Day was a big success down at our much-loved Vigo Road allotment The team sowed seeds, carefully pricked out last month’s sprouts, and enjoyed the sunshine. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along. Your time and energy help our community thrive.
We’re already looking forward to the next session on Saturday 7th June! Details in upcoming events.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/diggingit2
Want to get involved please contact: michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for May’s Wild Harmony session at Harmony Woods! We enjoyed some hands-on tree identification, learning how to recognise different species by observing key features. Your enthusiasm and engagement made the experience truly special. It was a wonderful opportunity to slow down, connect with nature, and learn together in a peaceful outdoor setting.
We’re already looking forward to the next session! Details in upcoming events.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/2025/4/22/wild-harmony-2025
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Thank you to everyone who came to the Andover Gardening fair! It was fantastic to see so many friendly faces and to have your help planting seeds for our wildflower meadow, coming October 2025. Special thanks to our amazing volunteers Wendy, Doreen, and Liz - we couldn’t have done it without you!
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SIMPLY HEALTH WORKPLACE VOLUNTEERING
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Andover Trees United was happy to welcome a team of volunteers from Simply Health to Vigo Road Allotment for a workplace volunteering day on Tuesday 6th May. The group spent the day pricking out hundreds of wildflower seedlings, which will soon be planted in Harmony Woods to support local biodiversity. Their hard work and enthusiasm made a meaningful impact.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/diggingit2
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HARROW WAY WILDFLOWER SOWING
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On the 22nd May, Hebe, our new Youth Activities Officer visited Harrow Way Community School. She joined forces with the school’s environmental prefects and a group of enthusiastic younger students to sow wildflower seeds as part of our Disappearing Wildflower project. The seedlings will be nurtured at our Vigo Road allotment over summer, then transplanted to Harmony Woods in October to form a new wildflower meadow.
This project aims to combat the decline of native wildflowers species while supporting pollinators, and boosting biodiversity. The initiative also encourages environmental awareness and stewardship. The partnership between our team and Harrow Way Community School highlights the importance of community collaboration in tackling environmental challenges.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/news-list/2025/5/27/atu-inspires-students-at-harrow-way-community-school-with-wildflower-planting-session
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LONGSTOCK ST MARY'S CHURCH VISIT
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On the 24th May, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming visitors from one of our generous supporters, St Mary’s Church, Longstock, to the wood. It was a truly heart-warming and productive morning. They joined Hebe, our 2025 ecological intern, and Natalia to help survey the wood as part of the Nature in Harmony project. It was a lovely way to connect over a shared love of nature, and we’re so grateful for their time, energy, and continued support.
And the celebration of nature doesn’t stop there! On Saturday, June 15th, from 2–4pm, St Mary’s Church Longstock is hosting their very own Church Count on Nature event, complete with a wildlife survey and a community art competition. Theme: “Nature, God’s Miracle”.
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/2025/5/27/a-joyful-weekend-of-nature-and-community-with-st-marys-church-longstock
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MAY HALF-TERM NATURE EXPLORERS
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This May half-term was packed with adventure, curiosity, and creativity for our young Nature Explorers who joined us at Harmony Woods for two exciting sessions outdoor sessions. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us!
The Gruffalo Trail saw explorers set off on a magical woodland journey along the Gruffalo trail, collecting natural treasures to craft their own Gruffalo crowns. The day was packed with woodland games and free exploration, sparking imaginations and connecting everyone with the natural world.
Freshwater Adventures saw our nature explores explore pond-dipping where they discovered dragonfly larvae, diving beetles—and even newts! Inspired by their finds, they created their own imaginative pond creatures using clay. The day also included nature games like “Meet the Trees”.
Congratulations to Matt, Natalia, and Hebe—who not only planned but delivered their own sessions for the first time! Matt and Natalia, both graduates of our Youth Team, are now Youth Leaders with ATU. We can’t wait for more outdoor adventures ahead, stay tuned for updates on Nature Explorers sessions over the summer!
Read more here: https://www.andovertrees.org.uk/blog-list/2025/5/29/may-half-term-nature-explorers
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7th June- June’s Community Conservation Day, Have a Grow, Big Lunch, Great Big Green Week
21st June- Wild Harmony- Identifying & Surveying Common Wildflowers
22nd June- Wellbeing Fair
23rd June- 6th July- In Search of the Ditch - Between the Barrows 2025
12th July- July’s Community Conservation Day
19th July- Wild Harmony - Introduction to Butterflies
20th July- Carnival
1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd August- Four Fun Fridays
12th August - August's Community Conservation Day
16th August - Wild Harmony - Introduction to Pollinators
Weekly Conservation Days
Every Monday, 10:00 - 1:00
Harmony Woods or Allotment
Email michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk for more information.
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JUNE'S COMMUNITY CONSERVATION DAY
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Saturday 7th June at Harmony Woods from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
This next session in our wildflower project - Disappearing Wildflowers, we’ll be pricking out seeds that will later bloom in the new meadow at Harmony Woods. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this is a great opportunity to learn, connect with nature, and make a meaningful impact in our community.
Contact Michelle Graham michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk to sign up.
FREE event, no experience needed, all equipment provided.
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WILD HARMONY- IDENTIFYING & SURVEYING COMMON WILDFLOWERS
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We are excited to invite you to this months Wild Harmony session at Harmony Woods happening on Saturday 21st June from 10:30am to 1pm.
This month, we’ll be learning we to survey wildflowers for our Nature in Harmony surveying project. We'll also have some fun identification activities to help you recognise different species.
Contact Michelle Graham michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk to sign up.
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Join the Summer Wellbeing Fair on Andover High Street on Saturday 22nd June. Returning for a second year, it is a great place to meet local groups and organisations, and find out more about services and opportunities available locally to help everyone get active and feel good!
Read more here: https://www.thinkandovertowncentre.co.uk/events/andover-wellbeing-fair
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IN SEARCH OF THE DITCH - BETWEEN THE BARROWS 2025
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Interested in getting involved in community archaeology? Join us for In Search of the Ditch: Between the Barrows 2025. We're offering a range of opportunities to take part. This includes learning alongside experts, community dig sessions, and supporting school group visits.
Contact Michelle Graham michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk to sign up.
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After ATU's success at last year's Carnival, we are excited to participate again this year at the Carnival on July 20th. But we need YOU to help us make it the best one yet! Whether you’re a creative genius, interested in crafting, or just want to be part of the fun on the day – there’s something for everyone!
Please email michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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SURVEYING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
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Andover Trees United 'Nature in Harmony' programme offers a variety of opportunities tailored to both novices and experts interested in wildlife surveying and community engagement including:
- learn to survey and contribute to data collection, including for national projects such as Nature's Calendar.
- Get involved in Wild Harmony Events - learn and explore nature (for all ages) including walks & talks.
- Get involved in Butterfly Transects - registered with Butterfly Conservation.
If interested, please email: michelle.graham@andovertrees.org.uk
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Our Ecology Intern creates the 'Nature Spot' social media posts to highlight different species that have been seen in the Diamond Woods. The most recent is shown here (click on the image to see it in more detail), and you can see previous ones on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. And if you don't have a social media account, you can still see them on Instagram! Just go to www.instagram.com/andover_trees/
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We’re looking for volunteers over the next few months to help refurbish the woodland site office. Opportunities include:
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Assisting the contractor with refurbishment tasks
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Improving your carpentry skills
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Helping install a wood burner, solar panels, and a green roof
If you're interested, please get in touch — we’d love to see new faces and continue growing our amazing community of volunteers (abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk).
Volunteering with us is a great way to contribute to action against climate change and biodiversity loss, and to make a difference in the local community and we welcome volunteers with many different skills, including:
- General conservation
- IT / tech
- Event organisation and support
- Running creative sessions
- Plant propagation
- Leafleting
- DIY and construction
- Legal advice
- Fundraising
- ... and more! If you have the time, we can use it :-)
We are very happy to arrange volunteering days for corporate groups, particularly during our Schools' Planting Weeks in November / December.
Please get in touch if you can help by emailing abbey.sadler@andovertrees.org.uk. Any specific opportunities will be listed on our Ways To Help webpage as well as in this newsletter.
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www.andovertrees.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1167574
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