Volunteering Opportunities with The Hidden Gem Project

About

The Hidden Gem project is the restoration of a once forgotten disused, overgrown small woodland in the heart of Aveley by just a few Community Volunteers. It has now been cleared of an enormous amount of rubbish, unwanted vegetation, diseased and fallen trees. After 3 years hard work it now hosts a wild meadow, the beginnings of a secret garden, a large educational bench for children, a perimeter fence from reclaimed wood including a a kissing gate and last but not least a beautiful mural artwork that now covers a once looking ugly concrete wall. To help restore the animal population many bird boxes, hog houses and bug hotels have been fitted and we are glad to say have habitants with the woodland and wild meadows being a haven for insects. To negate the loss of mature trees a further 120 trees have been planted, some of which will form hedgerows for nesting birds. A further number of native plants, including ferns, bulbs and bluebells where located in the woodland area to provide a tranquil walk when in flower. The hard work does not finish there as ongoing maintenance is required on a weekly basis, removing unwanted invasive wild plants and general upkeep.