Pewley Down Volunteers

We are looking for Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) candidates, at Bronze, Silver or Gold level, to complete the volunteer section of their award with us.

Pewley Down is a Local Nature Reserve, owned and managed by Guildford Borough Council, with assistance from Pewley Down Volunteers. DoE will learn about the rare species of plants and butterflies here, and how our work will protect their habitat. Work will vary according to the season and weather. DoE  will learn how to use hand tools: scythes, forks, loppers and bow saws. Safe use of tools and consideration for other volunteers is the first rule. In winter we cut back the scrub and in summer we monitor some of the rare species such as pyramidal orchid and chalkhill blue butterfly.

According to the level of DoE award undertaken volunteers will need to complete either 3, 6 or 12 sessions of four hours, as well as designing a poster for our noticeboard. Once DoE volunteers have completed their work parties and produced a poster we will complete their DoE assessor report.

Volunteers need to wear outdoor clothes, work boots and gloves, and to bring water and snacks for the midday break. There is no shelter and we work in all weather conditions. 

If you would like to join us please click on the FILL IN AN APPLICATION button to contact us for further details. A parent or career must complete a registration and consent form before you start.

You can find out more about our work parties by visiting: https://pewleydownvolunteers.wordpress.com/

DoE have been a great help to our volunteer group and we look forward to meeting more of you.

Please note that due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions volunteers can only attend our work parties if they are well and nobody in their household has recently had coronavirus symptoms.  

Pewley Down is a Local Nature Reserve, owned and managed by Guildford Borough Council. Pewley Down is chalk grassland, renowned for its unusual flowers, and the butterflies which depend on these. Pewley Down Volunteers have been conserving the Down for wildlife for over twenty years.

Volunteers work under the guidance of Pewley Down Volunteers Group Leaders.

We meet on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year, at 10am by the Pewley Hill entrance to the Down. Work parties go on until 2pm. Drinks & biscuits are provided. Volunteers should wear strong boots as the ground is uneven, with lots of rabbit holes. Participation by Duke of Edinburgh Award Candidates is encouraged. The main work is to keep the scrub under control, using saws, rakes and loppers. We also monitor plants and insects on site.