Hi, I’m Carrie- the Natural Networks trainee based at Singleton Environment Centre in Ashford, Kent. The centre is run by TCV on behalf of Ashford Borough Council and serves as the base for a wide range of inspiring projects from health walks and practical conservation tasks to parent & toddler groups and environmental education sessions. I’m now four weeks into my placement which has been a whirlwind of meeting groups, donning wellies and getting to grips with how the TCV community operates.
During my first month I’ve been out with Ashford Green Gym, clearing rubbish and vegetation from a SUDS (sustainable urban drainage system), planted trees with the TCV Wild Crew at the beautiful Scotney Castle- home to the UK’s first wildlife bridge and joined in a local Health Walk run by Kent Community Health Trust.
Tree planting with TCV Wild Crew and staff & volunteers from Scotney Castle
I’ve also been captivated by the enthusiasm of primary school Action Squad volunteers as they design a wildlife gardens for their school grounds and had great fun assisting with Buggin About- the parent and toddler group here at Singleton (I definitely need to learn more songs about worms!). Needless to say, I’ve spent many happy hours covered in mud but have also had plenty of opportunity to talk with people of all ages who are passionate about their environments.
Singleton EC is a really vibrant place to work; filled with seemingly endless shelves and cupboards of art materials, nests, twigs, skulls and biscuits (I swiftly learnt that biscuits are vital to all TCV activities). The Centre has been wholly built from recycled materials and locally sourced timber; it’s a beautiful fusion of sustainable high tech gadgetry and low impact intuitive design. Every aspect of resource use has been considered- from the recycled drinks can roof to the sustainable urban drainage system which spirals down the hill into the water course instead of the sewer.
Plastic bottle greenhouse at the Singleton EC allotment.
The staff and volunteers here are tremendously passionate about their work and the office discussions are filled with more ideas than there will ever be time to implement. The Centre is open to the public 7 days a week so there is a constant flow of visitors and I’ve been speaking to many of these, getting an insight into how Singleton is used by the local community. I’ve chatted with bird watchers, tourists, local families, residential communities and numerous enthusiastic tiny tots- often loudly expressing their delight at experiencing snow for the first time (we barely saw any snow last year in Kent).
Rain water at Singleton is collected and filtered before feeding the flushing toilets and outside taps whilst any overflow tops up the pond (I can’t wait to get pond dipping in here!)
My role at Singleton will be to work throughout the wider Kent region, developing links with communities and identifying ways to engage them with their local green spaces. I’ll then be supporting these groups to develop projects which meet the needs of their community whilst improving local biodiversity (phew- that took a great deal of editing to condense the nuts and bolts of my mission into a few manageable sentences).
For me, a Natural Networks placement is the perfect opportunity to combine all the things I’m most passionate about into one bundle (I still don’t quite believe I’m being paid to do the things I love). I’ve been involved in voluntary work within the environment, education and social sectors for over 15 years both in the UK and overseas. I gained a BSc in Biodiversity and Conservation Management from the University of Kent in 2008 and since then have taught a range of subjects from Environmental Awareness to Personal Development and English at a local College. I’ve also worked as an educational ranger for Kent County Council running citizen science programs, recycling awareness and outdoor learning sessions.
In 2013 I began managing a small woodland within the Kent Downs AONB and have since set up a woodland conservation & traditional crafts group with a wonderful bunch of like-minded people. We had a great deal of support and guidance from TCV when establishing our group, so I’m really looking forward to helping other communities develop projects of their own.
willow bird hide being built at Ashford School
My diary is crammed with stuff for the next few weeks- I have meetings booked with local conservation organisations and community groups plus training courses on community engagement, orienteering skills and conducting mammal surveys. I’ll be revisiting a local Action Squad school to help complete their willow bird hide and heading to Hastings TCV office to meet the staff and volunteers there. Singleton is expecting plenty of visitors over half-term so everyone is busy preparing activities for ‘Wild on Wednesday’. Popcorn made over a fire was a revelation to me; if you haven’t done this before- please do! It is guaranteed to thrill….
practicing the popcorn technique for half term’s Wild on Wednesday activities
Finally, I’ve recently completed my Task Leaders training and a minibus driving course. This means I’m now all set to get out leading tasks and working with local people. I’ve got lists of people to meet and sites to explore. Lists of ideas and suggestions, lists of things I’ve learnt, of things to do and of stuff I need to know.
I’m excited….