{"id":1147,"date":"2019-05-22T10:10:25","date_gmt":"2019-05-22T10:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/letcombebrook.org.uk\/?page_id=1147"},"modified":"2026-02-19T20:18:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T20:18:35","slug":"volunteer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/letcombebrook.org.uk\/index.php\/volunteer\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Volunteer” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%232e9dd1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Regular Work Parties with the Friends of Letcombe Brook<\/strong><\/p>\n

1st Thursday of the month – between 10.00am until 13.00pm –<\/strong> Carrying out practical tasks at various locations along the Letcombe Brook, in Wantage, Grove or Hanney
\n3rd Thursday of the month – between 10.00am until 13.00pm –<\/strong> This work party is usually based at Willow Walk Nature Reserve or Smith’s Wharf, Wantage<\/p>\n

Varied tasks are carried out to improve habitat and biodiversity value, collect litter and generally care for the brook and associated green spaces. Tools and training will be provided. Bring your own drink\/snack, waterproofs and wellies are usually helpful!<\/p>\n

Contact Jude Verdon, Project Officer, on projectofficer@letcombebrook.org.uk<\/a>\u00a0to join<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Other Volunteering Opportunities” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%232e9dd1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=””]Riverfly Surveying<\/strong><\/p>\n

LBP have a team of Riverfly Partnership trained surveyors that keep an eye on invertebrate populations living in the brook at various key locations along its length. The surveying acts as an important warning system for pollution events affecting the brook. Surveyors carry out a monthly kick sample at their designated site, usually working as a pair, then submit the data to the Riverfly Partnership website. See here for more info on the Riverfly Partnership<\/a><\/strong>. If this type of survey work interests you, then please contact us and we will see if we can get you on a training session. Training (it\u2019s a full day course) does not take place very often though and may involve travel to Thame or Newbury.  See our Events page for any upcoming activities.<\/p>\n

Water Quality Surveying<\/strong><\/p>\n

We take the opportunity to carry out extra water quality monitoring wherever possible and have taken part in the Earthwatch WaterBlitz for the last few years. This involves collecting water samples and checking nitrate and phosphate levels with simple test kits that give an immediate result. The data is then entered onto the WaterBlitz survey website. WaterBlitz usually takes place over 3 days in Spring and Autumn.<\/p>\n

Also, we are developing an \u201cOutfall Safari\u201d where volunteers survey a section of the brook on a regular basis looking out for signs of pollution events and reporting any problems they spot.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2270″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_empty_space hide_on_mobile=””][vc_column_text]Wildlife and Habitat Surveying<\/strong><\/p>\n

LBP are keen to build up a team of surveyors that are able to survey for key species such as water vole, otter and brown trout or carry out rapid assessment type habitat surveys of sections of the Letcombe Brook. Most surveys only need to be carried out annually and spring is the best time of year for many of them. Trout spawning surveys take place in the winter. Training can be provided, contact the Project Officer for further information.<\/p>\n

Events and Education Volunteers<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are keen to expand the number of events we put on for local communities each year. These may be guided walks, wildlife events or river dipping sessions. We also go into local schools to provide curriculum linked content which includes river science and river dipping fieldwork. It’s really helpful to have another pair of hands with these events![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Volunteering with other Groups” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%232e9dd1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]BBOWT\u2019s Letcombe Valley Nature Reserve in Letcombe Regis – contact Michael Bailey on letcombevalley@gmail.com<\/a> <\/strong>
\nThe Hanneys Flood Group \u2013 contact via www.thehanneysfloodgroup.org.uk<\/a><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Other Ways You Can Help!” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%232e9dd1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n