5. Green Skills in Rotten Spinney

Theme: Community engagement and participation

Objectives:

  • Increase public access to and involvement in the river
  • Promote the river as a community and educational resource

Project description

A six-week employment course that helped a group of local volunteers take the first steps back into work, education or training.

The project gave the group of Luton residents the chance to gain valuable qualifications at the same time as learning practical woodland and landscaping skills as they worked together to create a 300 metre bark mulch path and 100 metre boardwalk in Rotten Corner, Leagrave Park (just behind Five Springs in Marsh Farm).

Participants had training to prepare them for taking the CSCS test and City & Guilds Health and Safety in a Construction Environment test. Passing both will get them a full CSCS card – crucial for working in the construction industry.

Trevor Tween, Senior Landscape & Ecology Officer, said: “I am delighted that Groundwork has secured funding through London Luton Airport to assist the Council in improving access to one of its key wildlife sites adjacent to the source of the River Lea at Leagrave. Over the last few years a number of projects in Leagrave Park have helped to promote biodiversity and wildlife conservation, including work in the marsh and currently at the site of the Five Springs from which the river Lea emerges; this new project has created an all-weather pathway to help local people and visitors enjoy more of these valuable habitats. People will now have a much better chance of spotting a heron, kingfisher or water vole and enjoying the marsh marigolds in spring."

Project lead: Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire
Project partners: Luton Borough Council, London Luton Airport Limited, The Conservation Volunteers, and Historic England
Funding source: London Luton Airport Limited
Project start: 5 November 2014
Project end: 18 December 2014
Contact for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rotten Spinney before and after photo

Design by LTD Design Consultants and build by Garganey Consulting.