Staff from Amey have helped ensure on of the Isle of Wight’s most popular viewing points is free from an unwelcome weed.
6 staff recently spent several hours removing ragwort from Brading Down, helping support Gift to Nature which organises an annual weed clearance on the Down.
The team of Karen Elliott, Gillian Mulcahy, Florin Moyce, Michael Coxon, Rob Smith, Tracey Floyd and Ben Taylor took part in the clearance as part of their community involvement day, where Amey provides every staff member an additional paid day’s leave to carry out a task to help benefit the local community.
Matthew Chatfield, Gift to Nature Manager, said:
“We were delighted when Amey offered to help with our annual ragwort control operation at Brading Down. We keep this weed under control on the Down as it’s a place where animals graze and horses particularly use the Down regularly.
“Pulling the ragwort by hand is the best way, with no pesticides involved. The hard-working Amey staff really made a big difference this year. It’s a strenuous job that needs some good attention to detail, and they did it very well.”
Paul Southall, Account Director for Amey, added:
“This was a long and very tough job for the team but they did it very well and took to the task admirably.
Article continues below this advertisement “As soon as we heard Gift to Nature were looking for assistance, the team jumped at the chance and we were delighted to help. Brading Down is a stunning area and the team were only too happy to get their hands dirty to ensure it isn’t spoilt by unwanted weeds.”
In recent weeks as part of their community involvement days, staff from Amey have helped clean up and remove litter from a well-used footpath in Ryde and provided staff to empty bins at the Isle of Wight Pride event.
