Working with staff from the Dorset AONB, and rangers from Dorset Countryside, the Classic team of seven (pictured) was joined by four Dorset property owners for the day to clear bushes, brambles and bracken from the area around Black Down, near Dorset’s Hardy Monument.
Classic’s managing director Anthony Skitt, Philippa Penney, Nicky Bennett, Lucy Clark and Jim Kennedy travelled from Helston in Cornwall, while Jacqui Gulliford and Anna Hamlyn came from Devon to spend around four hours scything their way through brambles and clearing overgrown areas of land with the Dorset AONB, managed by Dorset County Council.
Whilst slashing and burning, both teams chatted about the importance of this clearing, which will contribute to the future plans of the site. This particular part of the site has some stunning panoramic views of rural Dorset and the Jurassic Coast, and in the future it will become an area accessible for all to enjoy.
Anna Hamlyn, Dorset Property Manager for Classic Cottages, said: “This was my first volunteering event and I could really see how much it mattered for a whole range of reasons – to the Dorset AONB team for our interest in their work, to the cottage owners for that sense of belonging and for them to see our commitment to Dorset – as well as a chance for them to meet each other and some of our Classic team. There was a real sense of achievement once the task had been completed by the end of the day and it was a great teambuilding experience. I’d do it again!”
Tom Munro, Team Manager for the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty said: “Our team really enjoyed grafting alongside Classic Cottages’ staff and cottage owners on Black Down - one of the most prominent locations in the Dorset AONB. We cleared a patch that one day will become a small car park to allow visitors and locals to enjoy easy access to this great site. Tourists come to Dorset for its outstanding landscape and coast; it's great when tourism businesses demonstrate they can put something back into that landscape.”
Sue Scammell, owner of Barbridge Cottage, just north of Bridport, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed the day although my husband and I were a little stiff the next day! The fire, used to burn the brambles, certainly got through a lot of unwanted plant growth. I think the whole team did incredibly well and the picnic at the end was well deserved.”
Peter Williams, owner of Wazwatt’s Cottage, south west of Sturminster Newton, added: “The hot bath afterwards was very welcome. It was a really good day and one that I will be happy to repeat. It certainly made me feel a part of the larger Classic family and I’m grateful to them for organising the day, and of course, the food!”
For the company that looks after holiday properties across Dorset, it is the second day of volunteering to have taken place this year. Classic will be working with the Dorset AONB on specific projects across the area including encouraging the use of sustainable transport for both locals and visitors to the area.
Classic Cottages has an established ‘Green Team’ which gets involved in local conservation projects three or four times a year, including river clearing, beach cleaning and conserving coastal footpaths. The company also works with the Woodland Trust to dedicate and preserve areas of woodland across the South West, and also regularly donates to the charity Cool Earth to help preserve areas of rainforest in the Amazon.
Classic Cottages has high quality self-catering holiday cottages in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. More information can be found at www.classic.co.uk
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