​We arrived at the ECO Centre in Skegness on a sunny Sunday morning. Four ‘regulars’ and two new volunteers – Katrin and Julie B’s brother Trev (whose participation on a task has been long promised!). We’d navigated past the big holiday camp and along the lane and found ourselves in a wonderful place. ​This former landfill site is now covered in trees, shrubs, meadows and garden areas. There are ponds too. And dotted around in grassy clearings and woodland glades there are cabins and huts. They are all designed to meet the needs of the Centre’s varied clientele, from its ECO babies to schoolchildren of all ages and adults.

​Paul, the Centre manager, made us very welcome. We were soon settled with tea and biscuits while he explained how the Centre had developed and described the amazing range of work that they do.

​The Centre’s ‘do what is right for you’ approach could have easily led us to spend the day lying in the sun, listening to the birds and the insects … but that was not what we were there for! 

​The main paths through the woods are edged with long habitat piles, a version of a dead hedge. Along one of the paths they were collapsing so we rebuilt them. They are not like the ones made of logs and big branches that we often do, but smaller and softer. A base of small branches is covered with material such as clippings from shrubs and conifer trees, and the whole lot is topped with piles of mown long grass, like an informal thatch. They are only 2-3 feet high but that is enough to keep young children safely on the paths. And they are full of insects! We completed a long stretch along one side of a path, and were very pleased with the results.

​We then spread a thin layer of small bark chips on a couple of paths, to freshen them up. In our enthusiasm we spread the bark too thickly so Paul had to demonstrate exactly what ‘thin’ means and then we redid it!  If it is too thick it is difficult for small children to walk on, it is impossible for wheelchairs and buggies, and can cause people with mobility issues to fall.

We finished the day with another cup of tea, and then reluctantly left this peaceful haven. A most enjoyable day.
 
We are welcome to return – for similar summer work or there is big hedge that needs laying …
 
http://www.visitburghlemarsh.co.uk/eco-centre.html
http://www.ecoskegness.org.uk/

​Jude