Summer walkers in one area south of Bakewell will enjoy a clear pathway, thanks to a day of action from a group of volunteers from Tarmac’s Tunstead site. The group joined forces with new Peak District National Park Project Assistant, Harriet Saltis to tackle overgrown brambles and hedgerows on the path near Alport, alongside Shining Bank Quarry.
The volunteering project forms part of a five-year partnership between Tarmac and the Peak District National Park Authority which launched in 2016. This includes sponsorship of Harriet’s role, plus one Tarmac volunteer team day per month for the duration of the partnership – to date Tarmac volunteering hours total over 2,400!
Stores coordinator Ross Charles, who was part of the Tarmac volunteering team on this day said: “It was a really enjoyable day and the weather was kind to us! We managed to clear overhanging hawthorn and bramble to expand the path to its full width of six foot which should help a lot of walkers get through without being affected by thorns. It was a great experience to work with Tarmac colleagues from all different departments, and to also get to know Harriet in her new conservation role.”
Harriet added: “This was a great opportunity for me to get to know the volunteering project sponsors, Tarmac. We’re delighted that local Tarmac staff will be joining many of our projects with volunteer days each month. Some of the teams have already commented how the chance to get out and experience the National Park has allowed them to build positive relationships with new colleagues outside their usual work environment.”
Dave Cramp from the Peak District National Park Volunteers Office said: “The commitment from Tarmac over the next few years will allow us to unlock the potential of a number of key community programmes in the UK’s original National Park. Central to this is funding a full-time member of staff – Harriet, dedicated to activities that range from opportunities for students with learning disabilities to experience the role of National Park rangers, to those building a return to work after long-term illness and more traditional volunteering looking after miles of much-loved footpaths and trails in the Peak District National Park.”
Picture caption: The Tarmac volunteering team take a break from footpath clearing work near Alport, Bakewell – with new Peak District National Park Project Assistant, Harriet Saltis (far right)