Get involved and Join the Friends of Brandy Hole Copse

If you would like to help to fund the voluntary work of the Friends of Brandy Hole Copse to maintain Chichester’s first Local Nature Reserve then please print off a copy of the following membership form. Download a form by clicking here.

This lovely local amenity is maintained and improved by a small group of volunteers who work for the benefit of the whole community of Chichester.

If you have not visited the Copse, why not come and see what a special area it is.

The Copse offers local residents:

• A place to walk and enjoy peace and quiet
• A place to study our rich flora and fauna
• Significant archaeological remains
• A resource for families, local schools and the community

The FRIENDS OF BRANDY HOLE COPSE desperately needs your support and the backing of the people of Chichester to survive and to ensure that their work to protect and conserve the Copse as a Local Nature Reserve can continue.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

• Become a member of the Group
• Make a donation to the work of the Group
• Offer a small amount of your time to help out as:
  • conservation worker
  • helping with raising public awareness of the Copse
  • helping with membership recruitment
  • acting as an occasional warden
  • anything else you feel able to do

For more information, please  find our contact details by clicking on contact us

Voluntary Warden Scheme

The Conservation Group encourages members and other volunteers to act as volunteer wardens. The aim of this scheme is to have a number of people who visit the copse from time to time to keep an eye on things and to report back any issues of interest or concern to the group. They are thee eyes and ears of the Group. These guidelines are to help voluntary wardens to know how the scheme works and what action to take to report issues to the conservation group.

• Voluntary Wardens agree to visit the copse on a regular basis. The frequency of the visits is a matter for the individual to determine and to notify the Group. Once a week would be very helpful, but if individual wardens want to agree a more or less frequent arrangement, that is still very helpful. Occasional visits are still very important.
• Wardens should report back to the Secretary or Chairman the following types of issues:
  • damage to trees, fences etc. in the Copse
  • acts of vandalism
  • fires (urgently)
  • unacceptable conduct by members of the public (and dogs)
  • interesting observations of wildlife
  • ideas on maintenance required to the Copse
  • incidents of cycling in the Copse (which is not permitted)
  • issues raised by members of the public visiting the Copse
  • any other information that may be helpful to the Group
• Leaflets about the Copse are normally available from the leaflet boxes within the Copse. However, Wardens may wish to carry a supply of these to give out to interested visitor. These are available from the Secretary.
• Carrying a mobile phone in case of emergencies is useful, if you have one.
• Wardens should deal with the public in a courteous and friendly manner. You must avoid getting into confrontational situations with visitors. It is appropriate to ask politely what someone is doing if, for example, their activities seem suspicious. Most people will react reasonably to this. However, if confrontational situations develop, you must withdraw and report the issue to the group or, in extreme cases, the police.
• People do, unfortunately, light fires in the Copse. Do not attempt to put these out on your own. If they are minor they will probably extinguish themselves in time. However, if in doubt contact the Group or in more serious cases, phone the fire brigade.
• We suggest you read the booklet on the history and natural history of the Copse (available from the Secretary) to ensure you can answer routine questions from the public. However, if you can’t answer specific questions, do not worry. Refer them back to us and we will make sure that the person asking the question is provided with an answer. You can’t be an expert on everything (and many of us are not experts on anything!).
• Enjoy your time as a warden in the Copse. Much of this work will be enjoyable, relaxing and pleasant. It is important that people realise that we do have a regular presence in the Copse and that the area is being conserved and protected.

For more information, please contact us

And volunteers

From Tony Dignum

Yes, I’m afraid I am asking for more volunteers again. The challenge that we have as a group is that the huge success we have had and the current level of practical events and campaigning is totally down to a small handful of great people who give up some of their spare time on a regular basis to make it all happen. They are a fantastic group and I am hugely grateful to them.

BUT ….. we cannot assume that they can necessarily continue with that level of commitment, and we are constantly in need of new volunteers who can give up just a small amount of time to help us plan events, run events, help to administer the processes that are required to keep the Reserve as good as it is. Please, please, please think about whether you could spare a little time to help, in any way at all. Tell us what you could do and we will find a role for you!!!!

The problem was well highlighted by events at the AGM. It was a really good meeting with lots of valuable contributions and ideas from members. Thank you for that. This included issues about campaigning against housing development . Our problem is very simple. We cannot deliver these things because we do not have the additional help to make it happen, so please join in and help our existing committee members . call me on 538585 or email tonydignum@btinternet.com

How can you help the Friends to preserve the Copse?

• Help to publicise the Friends and their work in the local community
• Help to generate wider membership of the Friends
• Help with survey work in the Copse – trees, birds, butterflies, insects, flowers etc.
• Carry out a visitor survey in the Copse
• Assist with campaigns against housing
• Assist with guided walks
• Help run events for children and families
• Help with practical conservation activities – including physically ‘easy’ tasks
• Assist with surveys of safety of the Copse
• Act as a volunteer warden on an occasional basis
• Anything else you feel you can do – challenge us to find you a role!

Even if you have only half an hour a month, you can do something valuable to help. Contact the Chairman or the Secretary with your interests and ideas.