Wild about new bus
Durham Wildlife Trust took delivery of a £27,000 minibus this week.The bus will be used to ferry volunteers between the Trust’s reserves including Low Barns near Witton Park and Hedleyhope Fell at Tow Law. The bus will also collect volunteers from several Wear Valley locations including Crook, and will transport children’s groups around Wear Valley.
Hedleyhope Fell Reserve Officer Craig Best said: “This new bus is more efficient than the old one despite having five more seats. We have been successful at getting local people involved with our projects and this bus will make it much easier to transport them.”
The previous bus had been used by the Trust for 12 years, clocking up more than 100,000 miles. Volunteer reserve officer Becky Hetherington said: “This new bus is very comfortable and a lot of fun to drive. The old bus wasn’t reliable and had been completely run down.”
The 17-seater cost £27,000, with Postcode Lottery distributer Goodfund providing £10,000 for its purchase. Garfield Weston donated £2,500 with Defra also providing a significant sum, while the Trust paid the rest.
Trust marketing manager Adam Eagle said: “We really appreciate all the money given to us to fund this bus and I know it will prove an excellent purchase for our volunteers.” Volunteers help with scrub clearance, woodland management and footpath maintenance and the Trust is always looking for new volunteers. Anyone interested should contact Craig on 01388 488728.
