Gwyn and Tracey enjoyed a walking fitness session through Elvaston Castle Country Park to meet Paul, Mandy and the rest of the Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust team to work on the nature reserve.

We needed to remove two large patches of snowberries that were growing over the path and also blocking light. Ben, our volunteer coordinator, explained that they weren't a native species, and that the birds didn't like the berries, so it made sense to chop them right back and allow space for more appropriate plants to grow.

Between fourteen of us, armed with loppers, saws and clippers, we turned snowberries into no-berries, as well as removing lots of ivy and some dead wood. This resulted in a huge clearing, which we edged with dead hedges made from all of the cuttings.