Ashford and Dover Volunteers - December 2022 Update

“Most of you will have heard by now that I am leaving Kent Wildlife Trust to pursue some adventures abroad.

I can’t believe how fast the last 6-7 years have flown by – they say time flies when you’re having fun and indeed, I’ve had a lot of fun. I’ve been so lucky to have worked with such a wonderful bunch of committed volunteers (who to my delight operate on the same low-level humour as I do). We have achieved an incredible amount in Ashford over the years, and I couldn’t have done even a fraction of it without the Ashford Green Team.

I will really miss you all very much, but I’m looking forward to our future jungle-heathland-photo-exchange. Take good care of Hothfield, the cattle, and Ian (not necessarily in that order).

All the best,

Cristina”

The Dover reserves team have been busy in the cutting season, clearing scrub to open up new areas to restore chalk downland on the Dover sites. They have been seriously hampered with the recent wet weather, getting utterly soaked with constant rain on task days. But despite that, they have done an excellent amount of work. The livestock residents certainly seem to appreciate their efforts!

The Highlands and Longhorns have been giving the livestock checkers a lot of grief by hiding in scrub blocks nearly all the time, often forcing the checkers to spend an hour or two trying to find them. The checkers have been doing a great job, tracking the naughty cattle down from their hiding places to ensure they are present on site and are healthy.