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GSK staff volunteers to improve woodland paths

20/07/2010

Glaxo SmithKline (GSK), Barnard Castle’s largest employer, has recruited 50 volunteers from its staff to spend a day making Flatts Wood, alongside the River Tees in Barnard Castle, more attractive for walkers.

Each year GSK nominates a day as ‘Orange Day’ when staff are encouraged to volunteer in their local community.  On Friday, July 23rd, 2010, at least 365 staff from the Barnard Castle site will be contributing to a number of community projects which range from giving a facelift to Bishop Auckland rugby club to sorting donations for Oxfam in Richmond.  That’s one year of volunteer work to make a difference to the community and charities in the region.

50 employees, including Andy Cockroft, Site Director for GSK Barnard Castle, will be joining Groundwork North East for the day in Flatts Wood.  Their tasks will include clearing overgrown brush, laying drainage pipes and making improvements to eroded pathways to make them more easily passable.  The main purpose of this work is to improve Flatts Wood making the walks more attractive and enjoyable for residents and visitors.

The works is an extension of the project completed earlier in 2010 when volunteers cleared and improved the walkways between the River Tees and the castle, supported by Groundwork North East.  Barnard Castle Vision has worked with Barnard Castle Town Council and Groundwork North East to develop these volunteer projects with part funding from a North Pennine Dales LEADER grant, obtained through the Rural Development Programme for England, jointly funded by Defra and the European Union and managed by One North East.

Andy Cockroft, site director for GSK Barnard Castle, said: “It’s great that GSK give us the opportunity to get out of the office and do something for the community.  It’s hard work, but you can really see the benefit”

William Weston of Barnard Castle Vision, added: “It’s really encouraging to have so many volunteers from Barney’s largest employer rolling up their sleeves and volunteering in Flatts Wood.  As well as working in the town, many of them live here too so will benefit from the improvements.   Our thanks to GSK for making this possible and supporting a project which will make a difference for townspeople and visitors alike.”

Flatts Wood is a mature picturesque wood stretching for approximately three quarters of a mile North West along the River Tees, and inland from the river around the edge of the town.  The walks in the woods were laid out in the early 19th century when the wood became particularly popular for walking and picnics.  The woods were also mentioned in Richard Garland’s ‘A Tour of Teesdale’ written in 1803-4.  The work is being carried out by kind permission of Harry Vane and Marwood Estate.

The improvement project was suggested by landscape architects Chris Burnett Associates (CBA) as part of their landscape study of the town.  They specialise in the management of historic landscapes.  CBA has worked on a number of landscape projects including Wray Castle in Cumbria, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston Estate in the Lake District, and Bosworth Battlefield in Leicestershire. 

Groundwork is delivering projects and providing volunteer opportunities across Teesdale.  If you would like more information about any Groundwork project, please contact Oliver Graham on 01388 662666.