July 2008

Labour of love

They came, they saw and they strimmed. They also weeded, dug, swept, painted, chopped, clipped and planted.  

Around 25 volunteers from Southampton University’s School of Engineering Sciences donated a hard day’s graft to the Fenwick2 Community Health and Well-being Centre on Wednesday July 23 and helped to get the gardens into shape.

Administrative staff and technicians from the department shunned their normal staff away day activities and instead put their efforts into conservation and the community.

The visit was arranged in association with Ann Crabbe from the Fenwick2 League of Friends and Community First New Forest Volunteer Co-ordinator Hazel Dyson.

Hazel said she was thrilled they were able to help out. “I was about to look for individual volunteers to improve the Fenwick2 gardens when I got the call from the university,” she said. “The staff really put their backs into the work and took it seriously. They were very enthusiastic.”

Andy Giles, Laboratory Manager at the university, said this was a new venture for staff away days. “Sometimes we visit museums and last year we did an assault course at Fairthorne Manor in Botley.  We are a big school with a lot of staff so this gives us an opportunity to work together as a team and get to know each other better, at the same time as doing some good for the community.”

Secretary Hazel Paul, who looks after Aeronautics and Astronautics undergraduate students, said the gardening was hard work, but welcome. “It makes a change to get away from your desk and do something practical. The glorious sunshine helped.”

Fenwick2 Co-ordinator Lisa Dillane said the volunteers had made a huge difference. “They achieved such a lot in one day and they worked very hard.  We are really grateful to everyone in the team.”