Dog walkers on the heathland at Berry Head National Nature Reserve recently may have been puzzled to stumble across a group of volunteers on their hands and knees, wielding sharp tools and peering into the undergrowth! Walkers stopping to chat would have discovered that the volunteers were clearing bracken and scrub from around small bell heathers on the heath, with the aim of encouraging the heather to establish and spread. This builds on work done in previous years, removing overgrown gorse from the heath, to allow the bell heathers to shine through.
Over the last 20 years, Earthworks Conservation Volunteers have made an annual trip from West London and Buckinghamshire to Berry Head in Brixham, to work with the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, in honour of a friend and fellow group member, Dawn Hocking.
Tim Graham, a Ranger from Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust said:
“Earthworks Conservation Volunteers are a dedicated group of individuals and their hard work at Berry Head over many years has had a significant impact on preserving and protecting its natural environment.”
Graham continued: As a conservation charity we are reliant on the support of volunteers and it was great to have Earthworks back again in 2024. As well as being a heartfelt tribute, the work they perform for us makes a real difference. The heathland at Berry Head is of an interesting type with plants such as Salad burnet and Dropwort typical of limestone and chalk soils mingled in with bell heather which is more commonly found on acidic soils. This makes its conservation particularly valuable. Last year Earthworks helped us by cutting large gorse plants back to near ground level. The aim this year was consolidate progress by weeding gorse regrowth, bracken and bramble from around the heather plants. The team from Earthworks immediately understood what was required and got on with the task.
Over the years, Earthworks Conservation Volunteers have formed strong bonds with the rangers at Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust rangers through their shared enthusiasm and passion for protecting Berry Head.
The volunteer group travel to Brixham as their former member Dawn relocated to Devon and although she spent time volunteering at Occombe Farm, also part of Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, she was deeply passionate about Berry Head and aspired to volunteer there too. Sadly, her battle with ill health prevented her from realising this dream. Dawn passed away in 2003, leaving Earthworks Conservation Volunteers with a determination to honour and celebrate her memory in the best possible way.
