THE Friends of Gorse Hall are calling on Tameside residents to lend a helping hand as they look to recruit more volunteers to protect and maintain the historic 35-acre site.
The group is holding a community volunteering day on Sunday, November 22, to tackle maintenance work and encourage more people to get involved.
Gorse Hall sits on a hill overlooking Stalybridge and bordering Dukinfield. Once a private estate, it is now a public open space featuring woodland, meadows, a pond and access to open moorland beyond.
The 35-acre site is owned by Tameside Council but managed by volunteers from the Friends of Gorse Hall group, who hold a lease on the land.
It also has a fascinating history, having once formed part of the Dockenfeld Manor, held by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Duckenfield, a notable figure during the English Civil War. A number of heritage features across the site reflect its historical past.
The Friends group was established in 1999 in partnership with Tameside Council and Groundwork Tameside, with the aim of promoting the use, understanding and enjoyment of Gorse Hall while helping to preserve it for future generations.
However, with just four to five regular volunteers currently responsible for looking after the whole site, the group says there is plenty of work to be done.
The upcoming weekend event aims to attract people who may be unable to attend the group’s usual weekday sessions because of work, family or other commitments.
Volunteers will be invited to get stuck into a range of practical tasks, including weeding, digging, clearing overgrown areas, removing unwanted vegetation, cleaning noticeboards and litter picking. Even giving an hour or two of time could make a real difference.
The day will also give newcomers the chance to meet existing members and learn more about Gorse Hall’s history and the group’s work to preserve its heritage and natural environment.
But it’s not just practical help that is needed.
Friends of Gorse Hall are also looking for people with skills in social media, website maintenance, event organisation, fundraising and administration.
Donations are welcome too, with the group stressing that people do not have to commit to regular volunteering to support its work.
The longer-term aim is to build a bigger team, allowing the group to organise more regular weekend sessions, share the workload and create further opportunities for activities and events at the site.
The community volunteering day takes place on Sunday, November 22, from 10am at Gorse Hall in Stalybridge.
Anyone interested in attending must register in advance using the online form, as organisers need to collect volunteer details to plan tasks, arrange equipment and meet health and safety requirements.
Sturdy footwear and suitable outdoor clothing are essential. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring gloves, if they have them, along with drinks and snacks.
To register, fill out the online interest form here.
More information about the Friends of Gorse Hall and their work can be found at gorse-hall.co.uk