OCS Voluntary Rangers
Who
This group is a voluntary conservation group that was established initially as the Medlock Valley Warden Service over 20 years ago. Oldham Countryside Service (OCS) was formed in 1995 and the group changed its name and work since then has been concentrated in the Oldham area.
What
The group helps the rangers from Oldham Countryside Service (part of the Oldham Council's Environmental Services Directorate) to carry out various aspects of countryside management and conservation tasks including:
- Dry-stone walling
- Hedgelaying
- Fencing
- Footpath work
- Pond management
- Wildflower planting
- Woodland management
Volunteers also help the rangers out with their seasonal events programme at the various countryside centres around the borough.
When
OCS Voluntary Rangers meet each Sunday at the OCS head office at Strinesdale from where they depart with the rangers to the relevant task. They also meet on the last Tuesday of each month to discuss future tasks with staff from Oldham Countryside Service.
There is a bi-monthly task sheet which details forthcoming tasks. This is available at all countryside centres and shows the kind of work the volunteers help with. This task sheet is sent out with the minutes from the meetings.
Where
Work is carried out on the various sites that are owned by Oldham Council and managed by Oldham Countryside Service. There are four countryside centres in the borough with various other sites managed from each centre:
- Strinesdale (Waterhead) – other sites are Leesbrook, Glodwick Lows (Local Nature Reserve), Breezehill
- Tandle Hill (Royton) – other sites are Crompton Moor, Oldham Edge, Irk Valley
- Daisy Nook (Failsworth) – other sites are Jericho Clough, Bankfield Clough, Medlock Vale
- Brownhill (Dobcross) – other sites are Friezeland Arena, Diggle Fields, Delph Donkey, Swan Meadow, Bishops Park, Besom Hill
Contact
For more information you can pick up a copy of the Voluntary Rangers leaflet at any of our countryside centres. Alternatively, phone Jane Downall at Daisy Nook Country Park on 0161 308 3909 if you have any questions.
Come along and learn new skills, meet new people and make a difference by helping your local environment!