I WOULD like to thank the conservation-minded volunteers who have given up their free time to brave the cold and carry out essential maintenance on York local nature reserves over recent weekends.

Up to 20 people at a time, made up of the university conservation volunteers, Friends of Hob Moor and of St Nicholas Fields, together with other members of the public, have been involved in tree pruning, coppicing, and fence maintenance.

The hot dogs and hot drinks went down well and we got lots of work done which would otherwise take a back seat in site maintenance.

A particularly welcome sight was an unexpected visit from a field vole on Hob Moor, probably disturbed by the knocking as the fences were being fixed.

There are plenty more opportunities coming up over the winter for people to get involved so watch out for posters and press releases nearer to the time.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

For more information contact me on 0777 1941155, email nature.reserves@york.gov.uk or write to me at the address below.

Stephen Whittaker,

Local nature reserves officer,

City of York Council,

18 Back Swinegate, York.

Updated: 11:25 Monday, November 29, 2004